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When I first started thinking about how we learn language, I realized it’s so much more than just memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules. Learning to read, write, and understand English deeply involves skills that go beyond the surface. Have you ever wondered how some students seem to grasp complex texts effortlessly while others struggle? It’s not magic. It’s about using advanced literacy techniques that help unlock the full potential of language learning. In this post, I wa

As summer approaches, don’t forget to make sure your middle schooler will read some books over the summer. And don’t look at it as a “chore”. Reading books should be enjoyable and part of a child’s fun activities. How can we make sure that reading a book is fun. Well, try picking a fun book to read. Contrary to what dome educators preach, a book doesn’t have to be “relevant”, or “contemporary” or “educational” . It doesn’t have to be preachy, though it should be appropriate f

This charming novel by Pablo Cartaya tells the story of Arturo, whose Cuban-born family owns a neighborhood restaurant in Miami full of wonderful food, laughter, and love. When a coldhearted developer threatens to take over the land lease and tear down the restaurant to build a huge apartment complex, Arturo and his family use both civic protest and poetry to save their family livelihood. Link to Beyond Words Learning where lesson can be purchased. https://www.beyondwordslear

The act of reading an entire book – all the way through from beginning to end – is a hugely beneficial activity for students in elementary, junior high and high school. Obviously, younger students can choose books that may be shorter and less difficult than high schoolers. Equally obvious, everyone should try for a high-interest book that has an engaging and interesting story. But mainly, everyone should read the whole book – not just a chapter or an excerpt. Reading the whol

* The girl with the long braids (was, were) the winner. * The man behind the curtains (is, are) the wizard. * Lettuce or tomatoes (go, goes) well on a sandwich. * Individual freedom and social cooperation (remain, remains) important concepts. Making mistakes in subject-verb agreement is a serious error. It often costs students points on standardized tests and is an issue for adults who want their spoken speech to sound professional and polished. https://www.beyondwordslearnin

Many teachers urge their students to look up a word in the dictionary if they do not understand it in a test question. The problem? Many students cannot find the word in the dictionary, because the word has a common prefix and only the root word is in the dictionary (think of words like reconstitute and uncivilized). This happens even when students have access to an online dictionary. https://www.beyondwordslearning.com/product-page/what-if-your-word-is-not-in-the-dictionary

Would you like your child or student to try out a historical fiction novel that is aimed at a middle-schooler. Iceberg, by Jennifer Nielsen, is a good start. Students are fascinated by the story of the young stowaway Hazel Rothbury and her struggle to stay alive on this sinking ship. However, they should have a little background first. And you should have access to a quiz or assessment afterwards. https://www.beyondwordslearning.com/product-page/iceburg The story of The Tita

Most standardized reading tests – and many classroom reading tests as well – require students to read a story, poem, or article, and then answer questions on it. Based on 28 years of teaching English and Reading, my conclusion is that the single most effective thing that students need to do is to read the story or article first before going to the questions. This sounds very obvious, and I know many adults that read this post might say, “Really?? Duh!” I assure you, though,

If your child or student is an honors student or college-bound, he or she should know some basic literature terms in order to write a good essay. This applies even to students who plan on going into STEM areas. At Beyond Words Learning, we have a master list of 60 Literary terms that a student entering high school should know -- particularly a GT or college-bound student. In other words, this is a list that a top-performing 8th grader should know at the end of 8th grade. Thi

Using conjunctive adverbs correctly is the mark of an advanced secondary writer who wants to make a great impression. These conjunctive adverbs include words such as however Indeed, therefore, accordingly, on the other hand, nevertheless , and more. Conjunctive Adverbs Lesson and Practice for Grades 7–10 | Beyond Words Sometimes they start a sentence, and sometimes they are used after a semicolon (yes, these are OK to use after semicolon!) At Beyond Words Learning, we offer

Mystery novels are one of the most popular genres for adults to read. There are many mystery novels that are appropriate for young teens and tweens to read as well. If kids have never read a mystery novel before, they are in for a treat. A well-written mystery book should be a fun puzzle as well as an interesting story. A big part of the fun is trying to figure out the solution to the mystery or crime before the end of the book. Students become great fans of mystery if t

Quizzes and tests have gotten a bad rap for a long time, and not just by students. Too many teachers consider quizzes as just assessments and possibly tools to see who has been paying attention. However, plenty of research is now showing that quizzes been shown to actually enhance long-term learning. They are more than just assessments. They help students remember the content better, to understand it more thoroughly, and to test even better on it next time. The America

The concept of IRONY is often a hard one for students to understand. It’s easier to show examples of irony than it is to explain it. The classic short story "Charles" by Shirley Jackson, is a wonderfully funny example of dramatic irony. It is also a good lesson in Point of View and Inferencing. In Beyond Words Learning, we have a complete copy of the story, plus 12 multiple-choice questions, focusing on plot, character, and irony. (See “Charle Short Story and Quiz”)...

The author Orson Scott Card wrote: “Metaphors Have a Way of Holding the Most Truth in the Least Space”. An interesting metaphor is powerful indeed: it marks a thoughtful and mature writer. Students who can write metaphorically on essays and applications score higher and make more of an impression than those who write only literal statements. However, it takes practice to get into the habit of thinking and writing in metaphors. What is a Metaphor? A metaphor is one type of

Link to The 5th Wave on Amazon Link to Study Pack by Beyond Words Learning Not everyone is a struggling reader. Some junior-high students are on or above grade level, and they are trying to find a book or series that is exciting and will hold their interest. For kids like this, dystopian novels are a great genre for suspense and excitement. For those not in the know, “dystopian novels” are set in the future, and that future is usually a grim, totalitarian society. The main ch

Reading comprehension is a skill that opens doors to knowledge, creativity, and academic success. But how do you sharpen this skill in a way that’s both effective and enjoyable? In my experience, reading traditional print books is a great, often-overlooked way to build reading confidence and skill. However, smart, focused online reading practice can also be effective. Whether you’re a student eager to improve, a parent looking to support your child, or an educator seeking f

Understanding Run-On Sentences Example: “Light travels faster than sound that’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” The most common mistake student writers make is writing a run-on sentence. This error is significant because a complete sentence is a basic requirement in grammar and usage. You might be surprised to learn that many adults, especially those who don't teach, struggle to believe that run-on sentences are a common issue for students beyond se

In my teaching experience, kids who read more books for pleasure always scored higher on tests and understood more of what they read when it really counted. This was true even for kids that did not always finish their daily reading comprehension worksheets or practices. Anytime someone practices a skill, they get better at it. In the case of reading, the wonderful part is that practicing it can be interesting and lots of fun at the same time. Try the "Holes" Novel Unit Bund

“Punctuation Marks are the traffic signals of language; they tell us to slow down, notice this, take a detour, and stop.” (Lynn Truss) Students who forget or neglect to put in punctuation are not doing their readers any favors. While those little marks may not seem very important to a hurrying writer, they are pretty important to the reader. Leaving them out makes your sentence confusing, and as shown in the humorous example here, it can even change the meaning of the sentenc

Don't let Mythology Be Your Achilles Heel! https://www.beyondwordslearning.com/product-page/greekroman-mythology-lesson Greek mythology is back! Dive into why Zeus, Poseidon, Hercules, Persephone and more are helping students build vocabulary, understand literary allusions, and crush standardized tests. Students everywhere - especially middle school students -- have rediscovered the magic and wonder of Greek and Roman mythology., Teachers and parents have realized anew that