High School

Everything on this site written with grades 9–12 in mind — the novels that ask real questions, the films worth their time, the ways I help older students read closely and think for themselves.

Achilles and Agamemnon lock eyes in front of the city of Troy, symbolizing the conflict and tension at the heart of the Iliad.

Novel Studies

Teaching the Iliad with the Proem: How One Word Holds a World

Chiara • 2025-06-18

Discover a fresh approach to teaching Homer’s Iliad by starting with its powerful opening word: menis (wrath). This article explores how focusing on this key term unlocks the poem’s central themes and engages students in deep literary analysis.

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Illustration of a rocket launch used to introduce the October Sky movie lesson for middle and high school.

October Sky Movie Lesson to Inspire Students at the Start of the School Year

Chiara • 2025-05-12

What if the school year began with a story of dreams, failure, and quiet courage? October Sky invites students to reflect on ambition, learning, and the mentors who help us grow—making it a powerful and inspiring way to launch the year in middle and high school.

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