Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
Velvet Shadows and Candlelight: Why Darkness Belongs in the Classroom
Why are teens drawn to dystopias, gothic settings, and grief-soaked poetry? The answer might be simpler than you think. In this post, we explore how darker stories offer emotional depth, powerful writing opportunities, and space for healing inside the classroom.
Why I Swapped Traditional Discussion Questions for Roll-the-Dice Boards - And Never Looked Back
Tired of classroom discussions that fall flat? I was too - until I swapped traditional comprehension questions for a simple roll-the-dice game that completely transformed the way my students talk about literature. These boards turn discussion into something engaging, student-led, and genuinely thought-provoking. Here’s how I use them, why they work, and how you can try them in your classroom too.
Why I Still Teach Romeo and Juliet (Even Though I Hate It)
I’ve taught Romeo and Juliet for over a decade—and I still hate it. But that’s exactly why it works. Here’s how I use student debates, modern rewrites, and creative twists to turn eye-rolls into engagement (and yes, we watch the Leo version).
The Power of Daily Writing Prompts in the Classroom
What if your students didn’t freeze every time they had to write? Here’s how daily writing prompts helped mine go from “I don’t know what to write” to confident, creative thinkers - and how you can do the same.