Mackenzie Thompson

A Cask of…Armadillo.

In the 10 years I have been teaching Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Cask of Amontillado”, it never fails: at least half of the students refer to the story as “that armadillo story.” For the first few years, I found myself confused as I tried to remember what story had an armadillo in it… it didn’tContinue reading “A Cask of…Armadillo.”

The Sound Track of Survival

English vs. Evil

Being a public school teacher means that you quickly discover that “there are all kinds of kinds.” Being a public school teacher facing parent-teacher conferences? You learn that there are more kinds than you could have ever imagined. Oftentimes, teachers leave parent-teacher conferences nodding their heads and saying to themselves Oh, that’s why little MartinContinue reading “English vs. Evil”

Symbolism is for…the birds?

A “Scarlet Ibis” that is. It’s no secret engaging students in short stories can be a challenge. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t easiest to do when the story revolves around some sort of extreme fatality. My students frequently ask me “Why do we always read stories where someone dies?” To which IContinue reading “Symbolism is for…the birds?”

Pieces of a Puzzle

If I said education was like a big puzzle and every piece is important, I’m fairly certain most of you reading would close the tab to this post faster than a student closing out of an unapproved website as the teacher walks by… Before you hit that X, bear with me… In the puzzle thatContinue reading “Pieces of a Puzzle”

Level Up.

I can’t say that Tik-Tok trends are ever a good thing…but sometimes, I can work with the sounds they give my students. One of those popular and trending sounds? Ciara’s song “Level Up.” In an attempt to reach my students and show them the importance of developing a growth mindset and becoming self-efficacious, I useContinue reading “Level Up.”

You can’t scare a teacher.

Haunted houses, scary movies, chainsaw-wielding serial killers… these are the things of nightmares, right? Once upon a time, maybe that was true. Then I became a teacher. You see, it wasn’t until I took a field trip to a haunted house last weekend that I realized that in order to scare me, you’re going toContinue reading “You can’t scare a teacher.”

Frightful Fun with Frankenstein

Taking on the task of teaching Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein isn’t for the faint of heart. However, with the right attitude and resources, it can be done! Now, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy… but it will certainly be worth it in the end! Your students will find that they have a much broaderContinue reading “Frightful Fun with Frankenstein”

Easy On Me.

Yesterday I heard Adele’s new song “Easy on Me” for the first time… It doesn’t matter where you are in life, Adele always finds a way to hit you right. in. the. feels. However, a song that is clearly about her romantic relationship ending somehow hit me in a very different way. From the veryContinue reading “Easy On Me.”

The Most Dangerous…Freshmen?

The very first story I teach every year is Richard Connell’s, The Most Dangerous Game. Not only does it allow for fantastic learning opportunities with conflicts, characterization, figurative language, and imagery, but it also allows for fun! Come senior year, my students always remember reading that “story with the guy who hunts people”. Before weContinue reading “The Most Dangerous…Freshmen?”