7 Memorable Secondary ELA Winter Activities & Resources to Make Your Class Merry & Bright

Looking for ELA winter activities and resources that are guaranteed to have you surviving and thriving before-the-break? Look no further, teacher friends! As winter break approaches, it’s the perfect time to bring some festive flair and excitement into your classroom. We’ve rounded up seven memorable ELA winter activities and resources that are tailor-made for the season, designed to keep your students engaged and learning right up until the holidays. From digital escape rooms that challenge their problem-solving skills to free student gifts that add a touch of joy, these ELA winter activities are sure to make the last days before the break lively and productive. We also include innovative teaching tips for managing the pre-break excitement and a fun holiday comparative song analysis that will get everyone into the festive spirit. Dive into these ELA

Carina Assayed December 3, 2024

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You’ll Never Find a Better ELA Nonfiction Resource Round-Up in 2024

If you’re looking for THE ELA nonfiction resource to engage your students, we’ve got 5 that are bound to grip your students unlike any other! Are you looking for a way to captivate your students with nonfiction that steps outside the usual boundaries? Look no further! This post features five dynamic ELA nonfiction resources that dive into fascinating and engaging topics like video games, mysteries at sea, espionage, and more. Each ELA nonfiction resource has been selected not only for its compelling content but also for its potential to spark in-depth discussions and critical thinking among your students. These are not your standard textbook examples; they’re designed to pique curiosity and engage young minds at a deeper level. Get ready to explore these innovative ELA nonfiction resources that will bring your classroom discussions to life

Carina Assayed November 12, 2024

3 Spooky Songs to Analyze for a Halloween Inspired Activity in Secondary ELA

As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to add a little eerie excitement to your classroom with some spooky songs to analyze! For secondary ELA educators looking to spice up their lesson plans this October, we’ve curated a thrilling collection of three spooky songs that are ripe for literary analysis. Each song is a gateway to exploring rich literary elements like imagery, tone, and irony, all while engaging students with the fun, festive spirit of the season. This blog post will guide you through using these spooky songs to analyze and dissect with your students, ensuring a lively, interactive, and educational experience. Get ready to turn up the volume, dive into the lyrics, and unravel the mysteries of these haunting tunes just in time for Halloween! 3 Spooky Songs to Analyze this Halloween Listen…I am

Carina Assayed October 1, 2024

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Start Your 2024 School Year with Our New, Fun Figurative Language Short Story Unit

Our figurative language short story unit will help you build a foundation and collect relevant data on your students at the start of the year! We’re thrilled to introduce our latest resource: a figurative language short story unit, perfectly tailored for the start of the school year. This innovative unit includes eight diverse short stories, each highlighting a different element of figurative language. It’s designed not only to engage students with compelling narratives but also to deepen their understanding of essential literary elements. As you explore these short stories together, you’ll be able to assess your students’ current skills and gather valuable data on their learning levels. This figurative language short story unit is an excellent tool for establishing a solid foundation in literary analysis and setting the tone for a year of dynamic learning.

Carina Assayed September 3, 2024

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6 Convenient Year Long Back to School Secondary ELA Resources to Refresh Routines

Refresh your routines with these year long back to school secondary ELA resources without the hours of prep! Welcome back to a new school year, educators! As you step into your classrooms, ready to inspire and engage, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve put together a set of six comprehensive units specifically designed as back to school secondary ELA resources. These units are crafted to help you establish solid routines that promote a structured and stimulating learning environment from day one. Each unit integrates essential ELA skills with creative approaches to learning, ensuring that your students are not only excited to learn but also well-equipped for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to foster critical thinking, enhance writing skills, or encourage collaborative learning, these back-to-school secondary

Carina Assayed August 6, 2024

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Wrap Up 2024 with these 5 Best Young Adult Summer Reads

Wrap up your 2024 school year with the 5 best young adult summer reads and middle grade reads! Wrap up your 2024 school year with the 5 best young adult summer reads and middle grade reads! Welcome, book lovers and educators! As the school year draws to a close and the promise of long, sunny days begins to unfold, it’s the perfect time to update your reading list with the best young adult summer reads. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, nestled in a cozy hammock, or simply enjoying the quiet of your living room, these books promise to be the perfect companions. Below, we’ll explore five standout titles that are sure to resonate with both young adult and middle grade readers, making them excellent picks for secondary ELA educators looking to recommend or explore

Carina Assayed July 16, 2024

5 Fun End of the Year Activities to Wrap Up the School Year

Want FUN end of the year activities to celebrate another successful year? We’ve got 5 to suit various teaching needs! As the school year winds down and the anticipation of summer begins to bubble among students and teachers alike, it’s the perfect time to inject some extra fun and creativity into the classroom. For secondary ELA educators, finding engaging and meaningful end of the year activities can be the cherry on top of a productive school year. Whether you’re looking to review key concepts in a playful manner, inspire reflection on the year’s growth, or simply create space for you to get your last minute grading done without throwing on a movie, this blog post is here to spark your imagination. We’ve curated a list of 5 fun and educational end of the year activities

Carina Assayed June 18, 2024

3 Awesome Songs to Teach for Analyzing Allusion in Secondary ELA

Discover 3 engaging songs to teach for analyzing allusion in secondary ELA classrooms! Hey there, fellow ELA enthusiasts! 📚✨ Are you looking to spice up your lesson plans with some music that packs a punch of literary magic? Well, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’re diving into the world of allusions in music—a fantastic way to engage your students and explore the depths of literary references within the melodies they love. If you’re new here, we are kinda popular for recommending these 15 songs to use in ELA. We also have 15 MORE songs to use and songs to use for analyzing irony if you’re interested! I’ve handpicked three songs brimming with allusions, perfect for analysis in your secondary ELA classrooms. These tracks not only resonate with our students’ musical tastes but also unveil

Carina Assayed May 21, 2024

Queer Writers poster set to Diversify and Enrich Your Classroom this Pride Month and Beyond

Diversify Your Classroom with Our Beautiful 10 Queer Writers Poster Set

Enrich your teaching space and diversify your classroom with our Queer Writers poster set, a vibrant collection that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, making it a must-have for Pride Month and beyond. Use Our NEW Queer Writers Poster Set to Enrich Your Space Welcome, fellow educators! As we continuously seek ways to enrich our classroom environments with diverse and inclusive materials, I’m thrilled to share something special with you. Imagine adorning your classroom walls with the vibrant stories and voices of 10 remarkable Queer Writers, each with their unique narrative and contribution to literature. This digital poster set is not just a visual treat; it’s an invitation for our students to explore the rich tapestry of human experience through literature that transcends boundaries. As Pride Month approaches, what better way to celebrate than by diversifying our

Carina Assayed May 7, 2024

3 Spectacular Short Films to Analyze Symbolism

Hey there, teacher pals! Are you on the lookout for short films to analyze symbolism? These 3 short films make for engaging content to shake up your symbolism lessons! These three short films to analyze symbolism are absolute gems that are perfect for diving into the rich, sometimes tricky waters of symbolism with your students. These aren’t just any short films; they’re the kind that stick with you, sparking conversations and aha moments that light up the classroom. Whether you’re aiming to inspire, provoke thought, or just switch things up, these short films are about to become your new best friends. Trust me, your symbolism lessons are about to get a whole lot more interesting! 3 Spectacular Short Films to Analyze Symbolism Effectively “Let’s Eat” by Anamon Studios ✨ Provided Summary: “‘Let’s Eat’ is a

Carina Assayed April 23, 2024

5 short stories to teach characterization

5 Terrific Short Stories to Teach Characterization

Hey there, awesome ELA teachers! Looking for some fresh short stories to teach characterization? You’re in the right spot! I’ve handpicked five short stories to teach characterization that are perfect for getting your students hooked. These stories are a mix of old favorites and new finds, all packed with characters that will jump off the page and get your students talking, thinking, and even seeing a bit of themselves. Whether you’re aiming to shake up your lesson plans or just want to bring some new energy to your classroom, these stories are your ticket. If you’re looking to teach other ELA concepts with short stories (like conflict, symbolism, and more), this blog post has a comprehensive round up categorized by concepts. Meanwhile, this blog post features a round-up of even MORE short story ideas, like

Carina Assayed April 9, 2024

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3 Effective Poetry Lessons for National Poetry Month

Celebrate writing with 3 poetry lessons for National Poetry Month to deepen your students’ appreciation of poetry! Unleash your students’ inner poets with these 3 poetry lessons for National Poetry Month! April is National Poetry Month, where we celebrate the power of words and the beauty of expression. As secondary ELA teachers, we play a vital role in igniting that creative spark within our students. This blog post outlines three engaging and interactive secondary ELA poetry lessons that will inspire and captivate your students during this special month. Combining the power of language and the magic of poetry, these lessons are designed to enhance critical thinking, boost imagination, foster a deep appreciation for the art of words, and get YOU and your students excited about poetry. Each lesson is crafted to encourage active participation, encouraging

Carina Assayed March 19, 2024

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From Lyrics to Literary Devices: 3 Excellent Songs to Analyze Irony

Looking for impactful songs to analyze irony in your secondary ELA class? This post has got you covered! Are you looking for an innovative and engaging way to teach literary devices to your secondary ELA students? Look no further! We delve into the world of music to explore 3 how popular songs can effectively communicate literary techniques, specifically irony. With lyrics serving as powerful examples, we analyze three well-known songs from different genres and artists, dissecting their lyrics to uncover the various forms of irony present. Through this analysis, we not only introduce students to the concept of irony but also provide them with relatable and enjoyable examples to deepen their understanding. Drawing on diverse styles, our chosen songs span a range of eras and themes, ensuring that your students will connect with at least

Carina Assayed March 5, 2024

3 Powerful Songs for Women’s History Month

Want empowering songs for Women’s History Month to incorporate into your secondary ELA curriculum? We’ve got you covered, teacher pals. March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of women throughout history. Although we have a beautiful poster set and a literary activity bundle for Women’s History Month, we are talking MUSIC today. As educators, we have a unique opportunity to integrate this celebration into our classrooms. Music is a powerful tool for engagement and learning, so here are 3 exceptional songs that not only resonate with the themes of Women’s History Month but also offer rich content for literary analysis and classroom discussion. These songs, each by influential female artists, provide a diverse range of perspectives and themes that can enrich your curriculum and inspire your students. Let’s

Carina Assayed February 20, 2024

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3 Awesome Independent Activities You Can Grade During

Want some independent activities you can grade during? There’s no shame–we all need those days to catch up in order to keep healthy work-life boundaries. We’ve got you! You know when grades are due or a unit has ended and you’re drowning in ungraded summative assessments? Yeah, I’ve been there. I worked for a district that was pretty against playing movies, so even if I had a cool analysis activity to go with it, it still wouldn’t fly. But, I really just needed some uninterrupted time to grade without having to do it at home. I am FIRM on work-life boundaries, so how can I combine learning, engagement, and an independent activity? Easy. Digital Escape Rooms. Below, I share my three favorite (which also happen to be Danielle’s 3 top-selling escape rooms). So, whether you’re

Carina Assayed February 6, 2024

11 Black History Month Resources for Secondary ELA

11 Important Black History Month Resources: Texts, Tips, & More to Amplify Black Voices Yearround

Amplify Black voices and diversify your curriculum with these Black History Month resources for Secondary ELA! Black History Month Resources for Secondary ELA Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the rich contributions of Black authors and creators in literature. For secondary ELA teachers, incorporating diverse perspectives and voices into the curriculum is essential. By exploring literature that reflects the experiences of Black individuals, students can gain a deeper understanding of history, society, and themselves. Below, we provide a curated list of Black History Month resources specifically designed for secondary ELA teachers during, well, all-year long! Yes, Black History Month is February, but Black history should be celebrated yearlong. From escape rooms to song pairings, this list offers a wide range of texts and tips for you and your students. By incorporating

Carina Assayed January 16, 2024

4 Songs to Pair with The Great Gatsby for a Rich Literary Analysis

Looking for songs to pair with The Great Gatsby? These four song pairings analyze the complex relationship between characters and themselves, the American Dream then and now, and the stark experiences between the rich and the poor. Welcome, fellow Secondary ELA educators! I’m excited to blog about a creative approach to teaching F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” using music as a tool for deeper analysis and engagement. I’ve carefully selected four poignant songs that not only resonate with the novel’s themes but also serve as a dynamic resource for your classroom activities. These songs will help students explore…✨ The complex dynamics between Gatsby and Daisy✨ The evolving concept of the American Dream✨ The societal pressure to alter one’s identity for personal and/or societal gain✨ The stark living standards throughout different socioeconomic groups in the

Carina Assayed January 9, 2024

Unwrap Literary Magic with a Comparative Holiday Song Analysis Activity

‘Tis the season for festive tunes and merry moments with this ELA comparative holiday song analysis activity! If you’re looking for a holiday song analysis activity that is festive yet secular, I’ve got you! In this post, I outline how students can compare two secular songs that are perfect for the “cozy cup of coco in front of a cutie book tree” winter season vibe. A Comparative Holiday Song Analysis Sesame Street’s “Holiday Song” Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles’ “Winter Song” Both songs focus on winter and the holiday season. They are not specific to one holiday or a religious practice and are chalk full of literary analysis opportunities! Give students an opportunity to engage in a first- and second-watch of both videos. If possible, provide a digital or printed copy of the lyrics, so they

Carina Assayed December 5, 2023

ELA digital escape room to survive the holiday season

Survive & Thrive this Holiday Season with an Engaging ELA Digital Escape Room

Do your students have the before-break-blues? Check out an ELA digital escape room that will have students embark on the ultimate classroom adventure! Are your students…✅ Asking “day one” questions✅ Checking out quicker than usual✅ Using their phones SO MUCH MORE✅ Groaning about “actually doing stuff” (the AUDACITY)✅ Itching for a movie day (maybe you are more so than them)✅ Crawling towards the holiday break (again…maybe you are more than them) If so, your students have the “before-break-blues.” Don’t worry, it’s totally curable. What does the trick for my students?1️⃣ Something FUN that does not feel like learning2️⃣ Something digital to keep the phone itch at bay3️⃣ Something collaborative because my kids LOVE to talk…about strictly off-topic things this time of year So, what’s the cure? 🥁 DRUM ROLL PLEASE 🥁 An ELA digital escape

Carina Assayed November 28, 2023

3 Free ELA Activities to boost creativity and collaboration picturing a small group of middle school students working together with support from their teacher

3 Fun and Free ELA Activities to Foster Creativity and Communication

Free ELA Activities for Your Secondary Classroom Looking for free ELA activities to boost students’ creativity and collaboration in a fun and free way? Look no further! Below, we share 3 engaging ELA activities that will improve your classroom community and the quality of student-to-student collaboration in your class. From word games to creative writing exercises, these activities are designed to make learning enjoyable and effective. And the best part? They won’t cost you a thing! With these activities, you can expand your students’ creativity, enhance their reading comprehension, and sharpen their writing skills. Foster Creativity & Community with these Free ELA Activities One free week of Collaborative Trivia Bell Ringers I loooove…✨ Building routines ✨ Fostering a positive classroom community ✨ Providing FUN opportunities for students to practice their collaborative skills These trivia bell

Carina Assayed November 21, 2023

Nine collaborative learning strategies to increase student collaboration in your secondary ELA class. Pictured are young students hands layered on top of one another as if ready to engage in a "team break" chant.

9 Collaborative Learning Strategies that Will Promote Rich Conversations Between Your Secondary ELA Students

Looking for collaborative learning strategies to implement in your secondary ELA classroom? These 9 strategies will promote rich academic conversations, build community, and foster effective communication for your students. The importance of effective communication in secondary ELA classrooms How do you promote collaboration in the classroom? In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, fostering effective communication in Secondary ELA classrooms has become more crucial than ever before. Collaborative learning strategies have emerged as a powerful tool to encourage student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This blog post walks you through nine collaboration strategies that can significantly enhance communication skills in ELA classrooms, which empowers students to express their thoughts and ideas confidently. By incorporating opportunities for collaborative discussions, teachers can create a dynamic learning environment that promotes active participation and encourages students to think critically and

Carina Assayed November 7, 2023

3 Spooky Short Stories for Middle School Students featuring a skeleton waving hello

3 Unique and Spooky Short Stories for Middle School that Students Probably Haven’t Read Before

Want to build some suspense in your class this Halloween? Check out these 3 lesser-known spooky short stories for middle school. It’s OFFICIALLY spooky season, friends! This is my favorite time of year in the classroom because, like many of my students, I enjoy turning up the suspense and spook. For this Halloween, I researched some diverse and lesser-known spooky short stories for middle school ELA. Do you teach high school? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check this post out where there are several inclusive high school horror stories for your choosing. 3 Spooky Short Stories for Middle School Students You might be wondering: “Are horror stories appropriate for middle schoolers?” Heck yeah! Using Common Lit, a free resource site for teacher-approved content, I found 3 titles that I think your students will

Carina Assayed October 17, 2023

7 Diverse & Powerful Poems to Teach Tone

Looking for FRESH and diverse poems to teach tone? Teacher friends, I’ve rounded up a good one today! Below, I have 7 poems to teach tone that are not typically taught in the mainstream ELA curricula (but should be!). They are all written from diverse authors and publishing dates range from 1995 to 2022. Want to know the best part? These poems are totally teacher-approved through CommonLit, and you can access them for free. You don’t need a district-paid account to access the poems, guiding questions, and other basic features. 7 Poems to Teach Tone Before you dive in, using daily poetry bell ringers and/or an introductory video like this one might strengthen your student’s understanding of tone analysis in poetry. You can also use the engaging activities in this stellar poetry bundle to introduce,

Carina Assayed October 3, 2023

Unlock Academic Success with our Secondary ELA Vocabulary Bundle

Unlock your students’ academic success with our comprehensive Secondary ELA Vocabulary Bundle. It will save you time planning and support your students in succeeding! Want your students to quickly define literary devices? Want your students to identify figurative language AND provide efficient examples? Want your students to use drama vocab to discuss scripts and plays? These objectives and more are all met in this comprehensive ELA vocabulary bundle! Click the image to visit the resource and add it to your cart 😉 What is INCLUDED in your Secondary ELA Vocabulary Bundle? ⭐ 7 lists of terms and definitions ⭐ Interactive Notebook foldables ⭐ A BINGO! review game for each topic (two sets of 34 cards each) ⭐ 7 print-and-go quizzes with matching, examples, and a short response ⭐ Editable quizzes (.doc) ⭐ Digital versions of quizzes and BINGO games

Carina Assayed September 19, 2023

Using short stories for teaching internal and external conflict - a field of grass sets the background of two blue signs with arrows pointing at each other

Teaching Internal and External Conflict Using These 5 Captivating Short Stories

Teaching internal and external conflict? Captivate your students with 5 short stories to deepen their understanding! With an already fascinating line-up of tips, texts, and tricks for teaching ELA concepts using short stories, I wanted to add 5 more that offer internal and external conflict examples. Teaching Internal and External Conflict with Short Stories All of these short stories are collected from CommonLit, which is free to sign-up for. The titles are hyperlinked to take you directly to the short stories, but some of them may require sign-in. “Lather & Nothing Else” by Hernando Téllez One-sentence summary from CommonLit:✨ “This short story takes place in Colombia, where a civil war is taking place between ordinary citizens and the military that controls the country.” Using to Teach Conflict:✨ The barber faces an INTERNAL conflict while shaving

Carina Assayed September 5, 2023

3 Middle school bell work activities for ELA students with a middle school aged student in a coral color shirt holding a pencil in their hand

3 Fun and Educational Middle School Bell Work Activities

Looking for engaging middle school bell work activities for your ELA students? Check out these three fun and educational ideas to start your class off on the right foot! Before we jump into the 3 middle school bell work activities, I want to take a moment to answer some popular bell work questions! What are bell ringers for middle school? Middle school bell work activities are typically short writing or collaborative activities used at the start of a class period. Using them consistently at the start of your class yields a ton of benefits:✨ You have a few minutes to take attendance or respond to a quick email✨ Students develop a sense of routine & expectations✨ Students practice sustained & frequent writing (tons of benefits within itself!)✨ Great tool for start-of-class management✨ Prevents the anxiety-inducing

Carina Assayed August 15, 2023

A back to school teacher survival guide post with a teacher wearing glasses aligned to the right with students blurred in the background

The Ultimate Back to School Teacher Survival Guide: 9 Tips and Tricks for a Successful Year

Get ready for a successful school year with this ultimate back to school teacher survival guide. Packed with tips and tricks, this guide will help you navigate the challenges of the classroom. You are most likely one of two types of teachers. Teacher One LOVES all of the back to school supplies, posts, and sales. Or you’re Teacher Two who feels nervous butterflies in their stomach after accidentally making eye contact with the back to school section at Target. I am Teacher Two. My one realistic goal each back to school season is to add one manageable tool to better prepare for the upcoming school year. So, whether you’re a fellow Teacher Two or a ready-to-go Teacher One, I’ve outlined 9 teacher survival guide blog posts full of tips & tricks to help you set

Carina Assayed August 1, 2023

Back to school resources round up sits atop a black chalkboard with a book stack in the lower right corner and an apple atop the book stack. in the lower left corner, there is an open notebook with a pen resting on the pages.

15+ Innovative & Adaptable Back to School Resources for Secondary ELA

Even though I have been teaching for 5 years, each year I ask myself, “How do I prepare for coming back to school?” Although the mental and emotional preparation needs a whole different approach, I always feel best when I have a handful of ready-to-go back to school resources that will help me survive the first two weeks. So, without further ado, I have compiled and categorized some of my favorite back to school resources to save you the time researching (and planning)! Categorized Back to School Resources Here are the categories listed for your convenience: ⭐ Escape rooms⭐ Bell ringers⭐ Writing⭐ Reading⭐ Speaking & listening⭐ Teacher toolbelt⭐ Poster sets Escape Rooms Benefits:⭐ Skip the awkwardness between students in the first week by bringing out their fun, competitive nature⭐ Set an immediate tone for engaging learning⭐

Carina Assayed July 30, 2023

MG & YA book list for 2023 titled above an image of a brightly colored, fully stocked bookshelf

An Unforgettable Must-Read YA Book List for 2023

Summer is best for catching up on your TBR and figuring out what to add to your classroom library. Well, look no further. I’ve done a bunch of reading for you—you’re welcome 😉—and compiled this epic YA book list. I can confidently tell you which inclusive, new titles will be popular young adult books bound to fly off your shelves. (Bonus: if you’re looking for “older” titles, Danielle has this mega post with all of our MG & YA book list round-ups and inclusive media pairings, too; you can bookmark it since we update it frequently). This YA book list blog post uses affiliate links for your convenience. If you decide to purchase any recommendation from this YA book list, please consider doing so through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you. 2023:

Carina Assayed July 12, 2023

Two people are standing side by side with their backs facing the viewer. The person on the left has an inclusive Pride flag draped over their shoulders while the person on the right has a rainbow Pride flag draped over theirs. The background is a blurred sky. The image reads, "5 LGBTQ poems for the classroom"

Introducing 5 memorable LGBTQ poems for the classroom

Give your students a chance to understand and celebrate diversity with these five LGBTQ poems for the classroom. They make the perfect addition to any secondary ELA curriculum! *Please note: I identify as Queer and will often interchange terms like LGBTQ, LGBTQIA+, Queer, etc. “I Invite My Parents to a Dinner Party” by Chen Chen Published in 2018 Recommended grade level(s):✨9th-12th Brief summary:✨ Chen Chen writes of the uncomfortable homophobia his parents covertly and overtly display at a family dinner with his partner. Devices to pair:✨ Allusion to Home Alone✨ Enjambment✨ Tone “Survival Guide” by Joy Ladin Published in 2017 Recommended grade level(s):✨8th-10th Brief summary:✨ Ladin writes a poem of encouragement for young folks to unapologetically embrace their identity. What to teach:✨ Irony✨ Metaphor✨ Coming-of-age & identity themes “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde Published

Carina Assayed June 19, 2023

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