Welcome to the Middle School Cafe! Why have I called my site a cafe? Well, if you know me as well as my students do, you'll understand one very important thing about me - I LOVE coffee! I call it froo-froo coffee (mocha's, latte's, skinny, nonfat, extra shot, well you get the picture), the fancier the better. Unlike many who visit the coffee house, I don't have just one specialty drink I ...
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Latest from the Cafe
Graffiti Boards Engage More Students
A New Year, New Idea strategy! Week #1
A new year, new ideas! That’s the goal for the next several weeks. There’s no doubt that teaching is hard, so it makes sense that we fall back on the same familiar strategies to make planning and implementing a little easier. I’d like to challenge you to ...
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Academic Conversation Through Silent Debates
When I taught high school, my favorite day of the week was current event Friday because students shared about the events of the week and the class engaged in academic conversation and debates over current affairs. When I attempted to bring this same idea to middle school it flopped! It turned into ...
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10 Ways to Add Holiday Joy to Your Class
I know without question that I’m a secondary teacher. I’ve taught high school for years and love my current middle schoolers, but when November and December roll around, I often think how fun it would be to be able to celebrate holidays in class. My former roommate was a first-grade teacher so I’m ...
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The Selection – Teen Review
A teen review of The Selection by Kiera Cass.
“This isn’t happily ever after. It’s so much more than that.” The significance of this quote is explaining that even though you are in love, that isn’t the ending. There is more parts and pieces to that relationship than being together. It’s like ...
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Where the Red Fern Grows – Teen Review
A teen review of Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.
“Although the old hound had no way of knowing it, he had stirred memories, and what priceless treasures they were. Memories of my boyhood days, an old K.C. Baking Powder can, and two little red hounds. Memories of a wonderful love, ...
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Caraval – Teen Review
A review of Caraval by Stephanie Garber.
“Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or performance. It's the closest you'll ever find yourself magic in this world.” This quote from Caraval explains the “magic” within the games to show it's ...
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