Megan Mariano
Historical Fiction in Middle School: Making Connections and Deepening Understanding
Historical fiction...I've found this section of my library to be less frequented than most other sections. Truth be told, I don't ever...
As an educational blogger, I hope to provide ideas and materials for your curriculum to help you succeed in your classroom! While many of my posts will lead you to my Teachers Pay Teachers store, you will get detailed insight into what has worked in my very own classroom. - Read Write Teach ELA
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Megan Mariano
- Jul 19
- 5 min
My First Unit in 7th Grade: Investigating Characterization
At the date of this posting, it's summer after my first year teaching a 7th grade section of E.L.A. I've always taught 6th (and 5th grade...
651 views1 comment
Megan Mariano
- May 31
- 7 min
My First Year in 7th Grade: How it Went, What I Did, and What Will Change
Read about how my first year in teaching 7th grade went.
1,557 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Feb 16
- 10 min
Social Issues Books for Middle School
As many know who follow me, I find it to be super important for students to CHOOSE books. I typically plan units in my classroom and I...
806 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Dec 9, 2021
- 9 min
Using "Controversial" Texts: Why We Need Them and How to Use Them
We are living in a very divided time. Parents are at board meetings screaming about critical race theory and are trying to ban books left...
1,489 views1 comment
Megan Mariano
- Aug 14, 2021
- 6 min
Everything You Need for Back-to-School in Middle School E.L.A.
As I write this, we are going in full-time, normal (masked) in September. I really hope that remains true. This post will outline all the...
1,458 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Mar 24, 2021
- 5 min
Essays in 6th Grade: A Basic Format that Elevates the Standard 5-Paragraph Structure
6th grade is such a funny year. Funny haha and funny weird. Student writing levels are all over the map. You will have students coming to...
4,309 views3 comments
Megan Mariano
- Feb 17, 2021
- 4 min
Mood vs. Tone in E.L.A.: Activities to Help Middle Schoolers
Mood and tone are two key literary elements that start popping up a lot more in middle school. I've found that students often have a...
13,085 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Jan 21, 2021
- 7 min
Dystopian Literature in 6th Grade: Opening Minds and Critical Thinking
Dystopian literature is by far my favorite genre. I'll dabble in other genres, but always find myself right back into this genre. When I...
1,682 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Dec 31, 2020
- 4 min
Main Idea Statements, NOT Topics: 6 Steps to Writing Main Idea Sentences
Main idea. Students do it as soon as they start reading. My son in Kindergarten has even dabbled in it. It gets increasingly more complex...
1,518 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Jul 10, 2020
- 4 min
Read-Alouds in Middle School: How (and Why) to Use Them When You're Short on Time
Find ways to read-aloud in middle school!
1,239 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Jun 5, 2020
- 2 min
Diverse Books and Anti-Racism Resources for Students and Educators: A Huge Collection!
Loads of resources for you to make your classroom accepting and anti-racist!
1,787 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- May 13, 2020
- 4 min
5 End of School Year Activities in Middle School with a Digital Focus
As I write this post, we are doing remote learning. I know the end of the school year is full of celebrations and activities; many of us...
3,787 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- May 2, 2020
- 6 min
Graphic Novels in Middle School: 9 Key Critical Thinking Skills of Focus
Teach graphic novels as a UNIT!
2,463 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Apr 16, 2020
- 5 min
Argumentative Writing: Debates in Middle School
Try debates instead of an essay!
3,591 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Mar 12, 2020
- 5 min
Extended School Closure Resources and Tips in Middle School E.L.A.
Here are some resources to help you if your school is closed due to the coronavirus!
2,963 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Feb 5, 2020
- 3 min
Making Valentine's Day Meaningful and Academic in Middle School E.L.A.
Students write break up and love letters to books!
2,679 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Jan 28, 2020
- 7 min
Standardized Test Prep in Reading and Writing Workshop
The dreaded test prep. We all think about it. We all know we have to do SOMEthing...we can't just ignore the fact that students will have to
1,944 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Dec 10, 2019
- 3 min
Close Reading of Short Stories: How to do it Digitally, Especially for The Holidays!
A few years back, close reading became a big buzz in the E.L.A. realm. I had tons of workshops on it and still have files full of informatio
622 views0 comments
Megan Mariano
- Nov 29, 2019
- 7 min
Book Clubs and Using the Public Library to Promote Student Choice
Book clubs are an important component of reading workshop. It gives students an opportunity to be social in a world where face-to-face...
400 views0 comments