Blog | Strait From The Clas

Jeff Strait

Oct 2, 20232 min read

Ignite Imagination with Seasonal Creative Writing Prompts

The season of change is upon us—leaves are turning, the air is tinged with the scent of pumpkin spice, and the spirit of festivity...

Jeff Strait

Sep 13, 20233 min read

The 12 Common Essay Mistakes Secondary Students Make

As a seasoned teacher, my mission was consistent year after year: guide my students toward crafting the “perfect” essay. We may not have...

Jeff Strait

Sep 3, 20233 min read

Exploring the Language of Music: Similes, Metaphors, and More

Know those days when the energy in the classroom seems to lag, those kickoffs to a full week when Mondays feel flatter than a pancake?...

Jeff Strait

Aug 31, 20233 min read

Decoding the Melody: Alliteration and Consonance in Popular Song Lyrics

Introduction Have you ever found yourself tapping along to a catchy tune and wondering, What makes these lyrics so memorable? Literary...

Jeff Strait

Aug 27, 20232 min read

From Crosswords to Classrooms: The Vocabulary Potential of Puzzles

From the early crosswords sketched on ancient temple walls (okay, this didn’t actually happen, though the first crossword puzzle did...

Jeff Strait

Aug 27, 20233 min read

Letting Students Choose Their Literary Heroes: The Power of Personalization

Remember the first time a book truly captivated you? Our students have those moments too, and they're different for each of them. In...

Jeff Strait

Aug 27, 20232 min read

Word Power: Boosting Vocabulary with Daily Habits & Puzzles

Vocabulary forms the foundation of communication. Whether you're an educator aiming to enhance your students' linguistic abilities or an...

Jeff Strait

Aug 27, 20232 min read

How Play Transformed My Classroom's Vocabulary Lessons

As a kid, my mission was to expand my vocabulary. I loved those old vocab books like Word Power Made Easy and 30 Days to a More Powerful...

Jeff Strait

Aug 27, 20232 min read

Discovering Personal Symbols: Teaching Symbolism from Day One

Symbolism is the heartbeat of literature, providing depth, meaning, and profound layers that make stories unforgettable. But let's face...

STRAIT from the Classroom