In this lesson, I’m tackling two of the trickiest punctuation marks: apostrophes and semicolons. My goal is to simplify them and make these concepts easy to understand. I’m using sentence corrections, one of my students’ favorite activities, to help them master the rules. For apostrophes, I cover possessive nouns, contractions, and common mistakes. For semicolons, I explain how to use them to link independent clauses. I’m proud to say I’m using my display board for this lesson—and, if I may say so, my handwriting looks just as great on the board as it does on the whiteboard behind me. Although I’m an old-fashioned teacher at heart, it’s fun to switch things up. #grammarlesson #grammar l
#PunctuationMadeEasy #Apostrophes #Semicolons #GrammarLesson #MiddleSchoolTeacher #TeachersOfTikTok #LearnWithMsJames #ESLLesson #GrammarSimplified #WritingTips #GrammarTips #InteractiveLearning #ViralGrammarLessons
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My students were questioning my grading on their writing, so I found a way to present the facts about writing in a fun and alternative way. Instead of a traditional writing workshop, I created a true-false activity with statements about writing, composition, and the art of crafting great pieces. We went through each statement and discussed whether it was true or false. One of the statements was, “Ms. James is a competent and qualified teacher.” I added that one because, let’s be honest, students sometimes question their teacher’s expertise! I wasn’t offended—I actually loved the opportunity to show my students, in a lighthearted way, that I do know what I’m talking about when it comes to writing. This was such an engaging and meaningful way to teach the qualifications of good writing! #WritingFacts #TrueFalseLesson #CreativeTeaching #Writibgtips #MiddleSchoolWriting #WritingTeacherLife #FunInTheClassroom #writingtest #Improvewriting #EngagingLessons #TeachersOfTikTok #MiddleSchoolMoments #WritingIsAnArt
iamthatenglishteacher
744
·2024-12-19I sat down with my students before Christmas break and asked if they looked forward to returning to the ‘What did you do over break?’ writing prompt. The unanimous answer? No. Many students admitted they lied when given this prompt because it made them uncomfortable. As educators, we need to rethink these questions. For some, the break might have been joyful, but for others, it could bring up painful memories. Instead, let’s focus on forward-thinking prompts like, ‘What are you looking forward to this year?’ or ‘What goals do you want to achieve?’ These questions inspire hope and align with social-emotional learning (SEL). Let’s create spaces where all students feel seen and supported. #PSA for teachers: It’s time to discontinue this outdated practice. Let’s honor the whole child. #msjamesteachertips #MsJamesteachingtips #teachertips #teachingtips #messagetoteachers #TeachersOfTikTok #MsJamesteach #loveyourstudents #2025goals #MiddleSchoolTeacher #EducationMatters #SocialEmotionalLearning #TeacherTips #WritingPrompts #WholeChildEducation #ClassroomCommunity #SELinAction #SELteacher #MiddleSchoolMoments #InclusiveTeaching #FutureFocused #PSATeachers #SEL #EmpathyInEducation
iamthatenglishteacher
1814
·1-1I stood at the board wearing a balaclava, ready to introduce my students to a word I had never used before. I’ve always called it a ski mask, a winter scarf, or even a hoodie—but never a balaclava. And let me tell you, my students fell in love with this word! We laughed, learned, and had the best time figuring out how to pronounce it and why we never called it by its name before. This was one of those fun, engaging lessons where everyone walks away with a new favorite word. Just in time for “balaclava season,” too. #grammar #BalaclavaSeason #VocabularyFun #WhimsicalLessons #wordoftheday #MiddleSchoolMoments #grammar #FunWithWords #newvocabulary #EngagingEducation #Englishwords #CreativeTeaching #WordsAreFun #TeachersOfTikTok #teacheroutfitoftheday #MiddleSchoolLife
iamthatenglishteacher
2480
·2024-12-18Grammar Error Quiz based on real mistakes I’ve seen in the classroom. From proper use of commas to tricky commas, this quiz has it all! Watch, learn, and test your skills as we dive into these common grammar errors. Let’s get back to sharpening our writing and having some fun while doing it. Don’t forget to share your score in the comments. #grammar #GrammarQuiz #GrammarMatters #WritingTips #GrammarPractice #WritingSkills #LearnEnglish #ESLLesson #GrammarRules #CapitalizationRules #TikTokEducation #TeachersOfTikTok #GrammarMistakes #writingerrors #commonwritingerrors #BackToGrammar #WritingPractice
iamthatenglishteacher
455
·23h ago In this lesson, I used the word mentor to teach whether it needs an apostrophe or not. The conversation shifted into an amazing moment when one of my quietest students corrected my misspelling of the word advice. It was a welcomed correction, and it turned into a powerful moment about using your voice and feeling confident to speak out. This apostrophe lesson wasn’t just about grammar—it was about finding confidence in the classroom. Watch this special moment unfold, and let’s celebrate the beauty of teaching and learning together! #apostrophe #apostrophes #ApostropheLesson #grammarlesson #MentorVsMentors #GrammarTips #SpeakOut #StudentVoices #proudteacher #ClassroomConfidence #LearningTogether #ESLLesson #EnglishAsASecondLanguage #WritingTips #TeacherMoments #MiddleSchoolTeacher #TeachersOfTikTok #GrammarFun #MistakesAreLessons
iamthatenglishteacher
714
·1d ago Rhetoric simplified! In this video, I break down the three main tools of rhetoric—Ethos (credibility), Pathos (emotion), and Logos (logic)—with easy-to-understand examples. Rhetoric is all about how we use words to persuade and influence others. I also share a fun activity you can use to help students identify rhetorical appeals in speeches, writing, and everyday situations. Perfect for ELA classrooms and anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of persuasive techniques! #grammalesson #Rhetoric #EthosPathosLogos #ELA #MiddleSchoolELA #HighSchoolELA #TeachingRhetoric #WritingTips #PersuasiveWriting #EnglishAsASecondLanguage #ESLLesson #TeachingEnglish #LiteraryDevices #LanguageArts #ClassroomActivity #LearningEnglish #PublicSpeakingTips #WritingSkills
iamthatenglishteacher
1352
·2d ago The world needs this lesson! One of the biggest grammar mistakes on social media is confusing ‘you’re’ and ‘your.’ Yes, adults and students alike mix these up, so let’s clear it up once and for all! Simple test: “You’re” is short for “you are” (think you’re awesome!). Meanwhile, “your” shows possession (your book, your idea). If you’re ever unsure, try substituting “my” in the sentence to check—if it makes sense, you’ve got it! Let’s spread the word and get this error corrected. #Grammar #youre #GrammarQueen #grammarlesson #GrammarEducation #youryoure #WordOfTheDay #youryoure #VocabularyLesson #your #SocialMediaGrammarMistakes #KnowTheDifference #YoureVsYour #GrammarTips #grammarerrors
iamthatenglishteacher
839
·2d ago In this lesson, we explore the quote “Your attitude determines your direction.” I break it down in a few ways, starting with a writing tip on how to properly format a title by capitalizing and italicizing it. Then, we dig deeper into the quote as a theme and central message, encouraging students to think about its relevance to their own lives. I end by reminding my students that this should be their mantra for the eighth grade year and beyond. #WritingTips #Theme #LifeLessons #essaytitle #EighthGradeMantra #Motivation #Attitude #PositiveMindset #StudentGrowth #studyingtheme #ClassroomInspiration #ELS teacher#inspiringquotes #teachingenglish #MiddleSchoolMotivation #EighthGradeJourney
iamthatenglishteacher
553
·2d ago Did you know that words like ‘proceed,’ ‘recede,’ ‘deceed,’ and ‘seed’ all share the same Latin root? In this lesson, we explored how prefixes like pro-, re-, and de- transform the meaning of the root cedere (to go or yield). My students were captivated as we broke each word down to its origin and applied it to real-life examples. This engaging lesson combined grammar, vocabulary, and word history, making it not just educational but fun! Perfect for learners who want to sharpen their English grammar and vocabulary skills. #grammar ##GrammarLesson#LearningEnglish #EnglishAsASecondLanguage #EnglishGrammarSkills #WritingTips #NewVocabulary #vocabulary #EnglishVocabulary #ESLLesson #LanguageLearning #englishvocabulary #ImproveYourWriting #MiddleSchoolEnglish #EducationalTikTok #LatinRoots #WordOrigins #TeachTheWorld #FunWithGrammar
iamthatenglishteacher
371
·3d ago Today, my students called me a baby boomer (I’m not!), which led to an impromptu lesson on generations. We explored Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z, and more, but what really shocked them was discovering the ‘Zalpha’ generation—a fascinating overlap between Gen Z and Gen Alpha! The moment I started calling them Zalphas, it spread like wildfire across the school. Who knew generational labels could spark so much excitement? Let’s dive into what Zalpha really means and why it has everyone talking. By #Zalpha #Generations #GenZ #GenAlpha #MiddleSchoolFun #ImpromptuLessons #WhatMyStudentsSaidToMe #TeacherLife #EducationalTikTok #FunInTheClassroom #MiddleSchoolStudents #LostGeneration #GreatestGeneration (people born during World War II) #SilentGeneration #BabyBoomers #GenerationX #Millennials (or #GenY) #GenZ #GenAlph #Zalpha
iamthatenglishteacher
756
·3d ago Confused about when to use who and whom? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this quick and easy lesson, I’ll break down the difference between the two and share a simple trick (hint: the ‘he/him test’) to help you get it right every time. Watch to master this tricky grammar rule and impress everyone with your grammar skills. #who #whom #pronouns #WhoOrWhom #GrammarTips #EnglishGrammar #LanguageLearning #MiddleSchoolELA #TeachersOfTikTok #GrammarHelp #LearnEnglish #GrammarRules #ELA #LanguageLearning #Englishquiz #EnglishGrammar #LearnEnglish #quizinEnglish #learngrammar #englishasasecondlanguage #ESL
iamthatenglishteacher
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·4d ago Do you know the difference between through, threw, and thru? It’s easy to mix them up, but here’s a quick lesson to help you get it right! Learn their meanings, how to use them in a sentence, and why understanding them can make your writing clearer. Plus, I’ll show you how to properly use commas with introductory prepositional phrases. Grammar made fun and simple—let’s go through it together! #through #ThroughThrewThru #threw #GrammarLesson #grammar #IntroductoryPhrases #thru #CommaRules #MiddleSchoolELA #TeachersOfTikTok #GrammarHelp #LanguageLearning #ESL #teacher #EnglishGrammar #LearnEnglish
iamthatenglishteacher
612
·4d ago Have you ever wondered whether ‘never the less’ is correct or just a common mistake? In this grammar lesson, I not only explain the proper use of ‘nevertheless,’ but I also show you how to incorporate it into complex sentences and use commas correctly. ‘Nevertheless’ is a powerful transition word that can elevate your writing when used properly. Learn the rules of placement, the role of punctuation, and how to avoid common errors like writing ‘never the less’ or ‘never-the-less.’ By the end of this lesson, you’ll be confidently crafting polished, professional sentences! #grammar #Nevertheless #CommaRules #ESL #ComplexSentences #grammarrules #GrammarLesson #GrammarTips #WritingSkills #EnglishGrammar #LearnEnglish #ESLLesson #WritingTips #LanguageLearning #GrammarHelp #TeachersOfTikTok #EducationalContent
iamthatenglishteacher
682
·5d ago Friendly grammar reminder! Don’t forget to always capitalize the pronoun ‘I’ in words like ‘I’m,’ ‘I’ve,’ ‘I’ll,’ and ‘I’d.’ Also, a quick refresher on ‘there,’ ‘their,’ and ‘they’re’—three words, three different meanings! Lastly, yes, you can start a sentence with ‘because,’ as long as it’s followed by a comma and an independent clause. Let’s keep our grammar sharp! #grammar #Gra#GrammarReminderpitalizeI #ThereTheirTheyre #SentenceStructure #BecauseClause #GrammarTips #WritingTips #ESLLesson #LearnEnglish #EnglishTeacher #MiddleSchoolGrammar #LanguageLearning #TikTokTeacher #GrammarHelp #GrammarHumor
iamthatenglishteacher
418
·5d ago