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 May!

1. 27 Tips to Boost Kids’ Reading This Summer

Without the pressure of grades and assignments, summer is the perfect time to encourage students to read for fun. In this article for MiddleWeb, eighth grade ELA teacher Kasey Short discusses all the ways you can get students reading this break, including tips for finding free reading resources in your community.

2. To Learn Persuasive Writing, These Students Wrote “Why You Should Adopt Me” Essays for Shelter Pets

Here’s a project that shows students how the work they do in class might just change the world! Third-grade teacher Amy McKinney partnered with Faithful Friends Animal Society to help her students learn about persuasive writing. Students wrote short essays for the shelter’s pets, explaining why someone should take the animals home. The shelter then shared the essays on social media—check out the article to see the students’ work!

3. Best Practices for Using Sticky Notes in Secondary ELA

A favorite among teachers and students alike, sticky notes are wonderful little tools to use in the classroom. Over at The Daring English Teacher, Christina explains the many ways you can use sticky notes to enhance student learning, from jotting down notes in books to outlining ideas formed in group discussions.

4. Seven Strategies for Getting the Most Out of Peer Feedback in the Classroom

When done effectively, having students assess each other’s work can be a valuable step in the writing process. At his website, educator John Spencer shares how he builds peer feedback into his writing workshops, while making sure students stay respectful and focused as they share suggestions for improvement.

5. Lesson Plan: How Do You Write a Bestseller?

Need something for students to do during the last days of school? This free lesson plan by PBS LearningMedia might work for you! After watching a short video about the rationale behind bestseller book lists, students then complete an analytical activity to see which common themes and topics are considered lucrative to publishers.