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How to use AI in the classroom ethically and responsibly
The conversation around artificial intelligence in education has changed dramatically. We are no longer living in the era of How do I stop my students from using ChatGPT? Instead, we have entered the era of functional literacy. In 2026, the question for every teacher is: How to use AI in the classroom ethically so that it enhances, rather than erases, the student’s own voice? The goal of this guide is to provide a practical framework for responsible AI use. By treating AI
Anne Markey
Apr 214 min read


How to Integrate AI Writing Assistants in High School English
The high school English classroom has experienced a seismic shift. In 2026, we have moved past the ban or allow debate that dominated earlier years. With over 70% of high school students now using AI writing assistants for schoolwork, the challenge for ELA teachers is no longer about keeping technology out. It’s about bringing it in as a tool for deeper thinking and writing. Integrating AI writing assistants in high school isn't about automating the essay. It’s about using
Anne Markey
Apr 145 min read


Earth Day Activities That Extend Learning Beyond April 22
Discover engaging Earth Day activities that keep students inspired long after April 22. Learn how to use environmental literacy, persuasive writing, and creative projects to empower student voice and build sustainable habits that last all school year.
Anne Markey
Mar 244 min read


Earth Day Lessons That Build Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
Earth Day presents a powerful opportunity to help students explore real-world issues while strengthening essential literacy skills. Instead of relying on simple crafts or worksheets, teachers can use Earth Day lessons that engage students with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that matter long after April 22nd. When students connect environmental topics with deep thinking and purposeful reading and writing, learning becomes memorable and meaningful. Curriculu
Anne Markey
Mar 103 min read


3 Reasons Your Students Miss the Meaning (and How to Fix It)
Discover 3 Reasons Your Students Miss the Meaning and how to fix it with a structured Weekly Reading to Writing Cycle. Enhance comprehension now!
Anne Markey
Feb 175 min read


What Is Making an Inference and Why It Matters in Reading Comprehension
Making an inference is one of the most important reading comprehension skills teachers can help students develop. It allows students to read between the lines, using clues from the text combined with their prior knowledge to draw logical conclusions. Unlike directly stated facts, inferences require critical thinking, making this skill essential for understanding stories, informational texts, and test passages. In this post, I’ll explain what it means to make an inference,
Anne Markey
Dec 30, 20253 min read


From Fragment to Fluency: Simple Sentence Expansion Strategies
Middle-grade writers often struggle with sentence fragments, short choppy sentences, or run-ons. Even students who understand grammar in theory may produce writing that feels disjointed, simplistic, or hard to read. This is especially true for EAL learners, who are simultaneously building language skills while learning how to write fluent, coherent sentences. The good news? Sentence combining and daily micro-writing tasks can transform even hesitant writers into confident, f
Anne Markey
Dec 23, 20254 min read


How to Connect Reading and Writing Instruction in 5 Easy Steps
A Practical Guide to Step-by-Step Reading to Writing Instruction When teachers talk about literacy instruction, reading and writing often get separated into different lessons, different blocks, and different skill sets. But the truth is this: students learn best when reading and writing work together . For many learners, especially EAL/ELL students, the jump from understanding a text to writing about it is enormous. They can answer comprehension questions orally, but when as
Anne Markey
Dec 9, 20253 min read
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