Anthony Risko

Yes – you’re out there on the front lines, defending yourself and your job from all sides.  No – not from your administration.  No – not from Chat-GPT.  From your students!   Be sure to share these 7 reasons why your English/Language Arts class is so important to your students (other … Read more

Making a grammar lesson stand out to students can be challenging, but here are some easy ways to make your lessons more engaging and memorable: Use Real-Life Examples: Use examples from everyday life or from popular culture to show students how grammar is used (…or not used) properly to reinforce … Read more

One element of writing that sets apart the good writers from the great writers is voice. Voice is more so an art, not simply a skill to be taught and learned. Voice develops over time, voice can be refined, and voice can even change as an author changes. Voice may even … Read more

In this series, we are exploring the concept of voice in writing. Voice is a complex art that many writers develop over time. However, teachers in middle school can start teaching voice by focusing on the five elements: diction, syntax, tone, imagery and detail. In this second installment of the voice series, … Read more

In this series, we are exploring the concept of voice in writing. Voice is a complex art that many writers develop over time. However, teachers in middle school can start teaching voice by focusing on the five elements: diction, syntax, tone, imagery and detail. In this third installment of the voice series, … Read more

In our recent series for middle school ELA teachers, we have been exploring the concept of voice in writing. We’ve discussed diction, syntax, and tone – foundational components for young writers to understand as they develop their own author voice. In our last two installments of this series, we’ll dive … Read more

We began on this journey to dive into the art of voice, a complex but necessary skill for young writers to develop. Through many examples and practice activities, teachers who have followed this article series should be more equipped to teach and develop strong writers in their classrooms. In our … Read more

Words like “that,” “which,” and “who” are commonly used to connect different parts of our sentences. These words are called relative pronouns, and while they may seem similar, they have different uses and meanings, and it’s important to know when to use each one correctly.  Let’s take a look at … Read more

As a middle school English/Language Arts teacher, you understand the importance of teaching grammar to enhance your students’ writing and communication skills. While grammar lessons may seem daunting to some students, integrating them within the context of literature can make the learning experience more enjoyable and meaningful. Let’s review some … Read more

Contrary to popular belief, grammar doesn’t have to be a dull and monotonous learning experience.  With great English/Language Arts teachers like you, you can engage your middle school students by incorporating fun and interactive activities into your lessons and make learning grammar enjoyable. Let’s explore some effective strategies to transform … Read more