Each month, we share five things we love as part of our Footnotes Newsletter. Take a look at some of our favorite English language arts resources, articles, and more we found in October!

1. Halloween Themed Drama Games

Need a last-minute Halloween lesson? Check out these school-friendly drama games at the Nouvelle ELA blog! These collaborative activities are perfect for building public speaking skills and classroom community. Plus, they’re just plain funny!

2. TEACHER VOICE: College Students Who Lack Basic Skills Can Learn to Love Reading and Writing

Before his retirement, educator Richard Leon Linfield met many students who believed they were incapable of improving themselves academically. To combat these feelings, Richard made it his mission to build up his students’ confidence by celebrating their positive achievements in the classroom. Even though this article focuses on community college students, many of Richard’s motivational techniques can be adapted for the high school classroom.

3. Finishing Class Strong with Optimistic Closures

If you’re looking for a new way to spend the last few minutes of class, try using optimistic closures. These social and emotional learning activities give students an opportunity to reflect on the day’s lessons as a group, building a shared sense of community and accomplishment among them. Watch this video by Edutopia to see five examples of using optimistic closures in your classroom.

4. How to Avoid Plagiarism in Your Students’ Writing Assignments

As much as we wish plagiarism didn’t exist, it’s unfortunately a common concern in the classroom. In this post for Mondays Made Easy, curriculum designer Daina explores several proactive techniques you can use to teach students about the ramifications of plagiarism and how to avoid plagiarizing other people’s work.

5. Why Don’t Students Like to Read and What to Do

It’s a fact: Some students just don’t like reading. But that doesn’t mean you should write them off entirely. Branda at The Relevant Classroom believes a lack of love for reading comes down to three common themes: ability, interest, and mindset. In this blog post, see how she breaks down these concepts, and find tips on getting even the most reluctant readers hooked on a book!