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Hello, and welcome to It’s Lit Teaching! My name is Heather, and I’m a high school English teacher. Here at It’s Lit Teaching, my goal is to help awesome educators like you not only survive, but thrive throughout the school year.

I started this blog and my Teachers Pay Teachers store to help!

I Want my Students to Read More!

First, read my complete guide: How To Create the Classroom Library of Your Dreams.
Then, check out my Lit Literature reviews! These are written to help high school English teachers wade through all of the awesome young adult literature out there so only the best make it to their shelves. (Psst! I recommend starting with Black and White!)
Read One Day of Independent Reading with High School Students to read a real-life example.
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Sign-up for a FREE copy of my must-have titles for your classroom library and regular updates to It’s Lit Teaching! Insiders get the scoop on new blog posts, teaching resources, and the occasional pep talk!

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I just want to make sure you’re cool with the things I may send you!

I’ll send regular emails updating you on new content, plus an occasional bonus info with time sensitive info!

My Curriculum is Stale and Boring!

Read How to Implement a New Novel in Your Classroom for a step-by-step guide on switching up your curriculum.
Be sure to grab your FREE social injustice graphic organizer.
If you are specifically thinking of teaching The Hate U Give, read:
- The Hate U Give: The Most Important Book I Ever Taught
- Teaching The Hate U Give: A Case Study
- Help! My School Won’t Let Me Teach The Hate U Give!
- Make adding these super easy with pre-made lesson plans and activities.
If you need to add some interest to a classic literature unit, check out this guest post by my friend Yaddy, How to Design a Novel Unit That Doesn’t Bore Your Students to Death

The Hate U Give is a great title if you're looking for help teaching more young adult literature.

I Can’t Keep Up With Everything!

For some feel-good reading, check out :
- Dear First Year Teachers: It Gets Better
- 5 Self Care Tips from a Real Teacher’s Pet.
Eliminate some prep work with done-for-you units. I have one for:
- The Hate U Give
- Dear Martin
- All American Boys
- Internment
If you’re almost at the end of your school year, you can try these 5 tips
Then breathe, and find out The One Thing Your Students Need the Most.

Sometimes, a dog, coffee, and a good book are all the help you need teaching

I Want to Improve My Teaching Methods

Want to add some creativity?
- Read Why You Should Teach a Creative Writing Class
- Start with this FREE “I Am” Poem lesson with your students to see how it goes
Ready to uplevel your teaching strategies?
- Have you tried Scaffolding in the Creative Writing Classroom?
- Or Authentic Assessments?
- You can even learn How to Close Read A Whole Novel With Students of Any Skill Level.
I just want some easy and seasonal activities for my class!
- Back-to-school time calls for Back-to-School Stations!
- My Horror Genre Study Unit is perfect for a creepy October.
- For Christmas, definitely check out my “Nicholas Was…” Writing Activity or my Holiday Analysis for Use with Any Character.

Need help teaching or getting students engaged? You'll find it here

I Want to Earn More Money!

I have a special resource page for you RIGHT HERE!