
This blog is shaped by a clear conviction: the materials we choose for our students matter deeply. A few years ago, I made a deliberate decision: my teaching would be guided by depth and meaning. Every text, story, and film I propose is the result of a personal and thoughtful choice, selected from books and films I have personally read, studied, loved, and found significant, profound, and enduring. And here we are!
Here you will find my most meaningful teaching resources for middle and high school classrooms. These include lesson ideas, character analysis activities, thematic discussions, classroom strategies, teaching suggestions, and educational movie activities. All are designed to help students engage with high-quality material. Analysis becomes discovery, and stories become encounters. They are not chosen simply because they fit a syllabus; they are rich in beauty, depth, and human insight, and worthy of attentive reading, discussion, and reflection.
Whether we explore epic poetry, modern fiction, fantasy worlds, foundational myths, or significant films, the goal is the same: helping students engage with meaningful literature, read and watch attentively, think deeply, and grow intellectually and morally. Students deserve what is most beautiful, most challenging, and most significant in storytelling.
Latest Posts
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Turn Up the Volume, Turn On the School Year: Starting 6th Grade with School of Rock
Read more: Turn Up the Volume, Turn On the School Year: Starting 6th Grade with School of RockStarting middle school can feel overwhelming, but the right story helps students feel empowered and ready to grow. This post shows how School of Rock sets the tone for a confident, collaborative classroom with fun themes and activities.
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October Sky Movie Lesson to Inspire Students at the Start of the School Year
Read more: October Sky Movie Lesson to Inspire Students at the Start of the School YearWhat 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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The Magician’s Nephew Themes: Teaching Power, Responsibility, and Moral Choice in Middle School
Read more: The Magician’s Nephew Themes: Teaching Power, Responsibility, and Moral Choice in Middle SchoolThe Magician’s Nephew invites students to explore power, responsibility, and choice. Through Lewis’s rich storytelling, teachers can guide meaningful discussions on words, temptation, and consequences, helping students connect deeply with the text.
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Seeing with New Eyes: How Intertextual Comparison Enhances Middle School Student Reading
Read more: Seeing with New Eyes: How Intertextual Comparison Enhances Middle School Student ReadingWhat happens when students read C.S. Lewis through the lens of Scripture? This intertextual approach unlocks symbolism, authorial intent, and rich classroom discussion.
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Snow, Sacrifice, and Stories: Why “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Resonates in the Classroom
C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Middle School ELA, Reading suggestionsRead more: Snow, Sacrifice, and Stories: Why “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Resonates in the ClassroomWhy does The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe continue to captivate both students and educators? Its magical adventure, timeless themes of courage and sacrifice, and rich cross-curricular connections create a powerful story that inspires meaningful reflection and lasting engagement in the classroom. Let’s explore why.
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Middle School ELA: Enhance Learning with Crossword Puzzles
Read more: Middle School ELA: Enhance Learning with Crossword PuzzlesLooking for a fun way to help your middle schoolers dive into The Hobbit? Crossword puzzles are a great tool to boost vocabulary, remember key moments, and get to know the characters—all while having fun in your ELA class!
- Back to School (3)
- Books That Shape Teachers (1)
- C.S. Lewis (9)
- C.S. Lewis – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (6)
- C.S. Lewis – The Magician's Nephew (7)
- Classroom Management (1)
- Educational Movie Activities (4)
- H. Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird (4)
- High School ELA (1)
- Homer – The Iliad (5)
- J. Steinbeck – East of Eden (3)
- J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit (6)
- Middle School ELA (11)
- Mythology (5)
- Reading suggestions (6)
- Social Emotional Learning (2)
- Teaching suggestions (11)
