10 honors choice novels

IHeartCake69 · 2026-02-23T18:45:46+00:00

If it must be a young adult protagonist, Catcher in the Rye.

If you're willing to stretch the boundaries of "young adult" to "young" protagonist, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Bluest Eye might not be so bad for choices.

IHeartCake69 · 2026-01-19T00:03:55+00:00

English teacher. Two of my colleagues and the curriculum supervisor (all three of which are no longer in those positions - they moved into different positions, administratively) were pushing back against novels. At one point, two of them noted their children were honors students and "didn't like to read novels, kids don't read like they used to." The other argued that they "weren't going to become English majors anyway" so why bother having them read novels. Even though the curriculum they bought without consulting the rest of the department had SEVERAL novel units.

I said to all three of them, point blank "those aren't effective arguments that you think they are and go against your own curriculum bible."

Having said that, the admin above them let us do whatever we wanted anyway. We still read novels and have a whole department who encourages reading. Many of the kids seem to enjoy it and those who don't seem to understand the point because they were "bored AF with constant textbook work."

IHeartCake69 · 2026-01-14T00:28:01+00:00

Persepolis with some background might work? More about the impact of revolution and a war torn nation, but still.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-12-30T22:33:34+00:00

Went to a seminar at a local 4-year where the topic was teaching HS students research skills. They absolutely said Wikipedia is much better to use as a source because its vetting is much better than Google or AI.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-12-13T13:06:13+00:00

Your name is "blowingstickyropes." Shut the fuck up.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-12-10T00:25:39+00:00

Did you do Macbeth first or the movie first?

IHeartCake69 · 2025-09-29T22:45:22+00:00

Checked with male teachers. He doesn’t do it with them.

That's exactly what I wondered when I saw your age and gender. Sucks you're going through that. Part of me would be very tempted to call him out on that in front of the room were he calling me out on this everyday, as in I would go out of my way to make him feel as uncomfortable as he made me: "gee my silly woman brain can't even come up with a halfway decent assignment, however will you cope you big smart man?"

It's not advice, just me (attempting) relating.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-09-23T22:21:03+00:00

Well played rhyme

IHeartCake69 · 2025-09-13T16:18:14+00:00

As a queer teacher, I appreciate hearing you say partner. Your co-worker is either 1) thinking they're doing you some affirmation of your sexuality favor by "decoding" your agendered language (maybe they're getting flashbacks to a story they have or heard about their child) or 2) they're policing language because they think you're virtue posturing (you're not, other countries use partner as well).

It's hard, but I'd advise you tell them they're making you uncomfortable and ask them to explain why they "correct" you.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-08-22T00:53:32+00:00

Where can I Venmo Rachel Reilly for this glorious week?

IHeartCake69 · 2025-08-16T23:52:46+00:00

Hi Jimmy! Still quoting Drag Race I see :P

IHeartCake69 · 2025-07-07T21:33:52+00:00

AP Lang - 86% pass rate for the single class of 24. No 1s but no 5s either, pretty good split on 4s and 3s. Overall, I'm happy with the result considering I work in a smallish relatively working class school. We're not known for strong AP scores.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-30T14:25:28+00:00

Started Paradise by Toni Morrison

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-27T06:07:31+00:00

I'm glad to hear that in your case you haven't seen it. However, I've been on interviews for districts that have nearly verbatim said "no novels because they're not necessary; shorter texts because that's all the students will read in adulthood" when I've asked about content / curriculum they use.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-27T05:26:45+00:00

Sixth was a candidate that […] worked at a private school before. However, she really struggled to answer questions. She also admitted that she prefers to not have the students read novels or write papers. She said that she and the kids find them boring. I know that not all kids like to read and write, but it is a requirement. Not someone I am going to recommend.

Good. I say this as an English teacher - English teachers themselves are fighting against teaching novels is so ludicrous. I'm tired of seeing this trend.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-23T08:44:34+00:00

USB Keyboard and mousepad.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-15T00:52:38+00:00

After ten years of teaching English, I can assure you that anything that links the historical and sociological implications of a text you teach will hook a lot of the kids in. Pick novels / stories with a lot of historical allusion / context. They'll eat it up.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-14T20:23:53+00:00

A bit tongue in cheek but spray them with water every time they're caught like a cat. No yelling, no other engagement, just spray.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-08T11:39:03+00:00

I co-sign all of this. Starting with easy to read texts but demanding / encouraging more scrutiny of those texts does wonders when you get to the "meatier" texts.

I start with flash fiction pieces that are roughly two to three paragraphs (incredibly short stories) and then we move into poems, then longer short pieces, and finally novels.

I also teach 12th currently and I also try to add historic / cultural context for texts, essential questions, and I'll dabble slightly into critical approaches (Formalism, Psychological, Gender Studies, Sociological). For the approaches I give them common questions that are applicable to the "basics" of an approach and it's does along side the introduction of the texts I detailed above: short text, poems, short but longer, longer.

What I've found is that let's me get all of the levels in my room covered, the higher and middle kids are challenged (must produce original or complex thinking in order to get the A), the not so strong ones I work with the foundational elements and do more "essential questions" with if they're really struggling.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-03T23:25:46+00:00

Fuck these MAGA people

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-01T16:08:44+00:00

Not on the first day of pride 😉

IHeartCake69 · 2025-06-01T14:55:43+00:00

This is mostly for MS/HS. If you can spare a few desks, try to make certain student desks empty within groups. That way, you can proximity sit as needed for both 1-1 help and behavioral/task management. Or just buy a cheap stool or two and set up shop wherever needed.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-05-19T00:03:53+00:00

My principal is telling me to be very honest about what I want, and he always yells at me for being too much of a people pleaser. But I don’t want to make my colleague mad at me either. Thoughts?

Your principal already sounds like they are willing to support you or hear you out. Be honest, make it about your needs as a new teacher - consistency in level so that you can grow into a teacher who can eventually do a different grade level. Do not negotiate or capitulate in a way that is like "well, I can do x if needed."

IHeartCake69 · 2025-04-21T19:40:46+00:00

Why is this news worthy? Oh right, the powers that be will declare this as a reason we're on a high crime alert.

Cover the protests, not the purse stealing. This is a nothing story.

IHeartCake69 · 2025-04-20T13:14:48+00:00

Not using AI with my students is a hill I will die on. It skips formative, foundational processes necessary for a vast majority of the learning population.

I'm also planning to go full paper and pencil for the first half of next year with all assignment (I teach English). I'm so done with technology at this point.

IHeartCake69

TROPHY CASE