SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Using Urban Legends to Engage Struggling Readers

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, September/October 2019 Issue

By Sarah Hastings Morley

No matter what subject you teach, the beginning of the school year is filled with fun getting-to-know-you activities, establishing class routines, and fostering student-teacher relationships. It’s an exciting and hopeful time, but after the whirlwind ends, I get anxious. I worry that my lessons won’t live up to the start-of-the-year activities.

Like me, many teachers may fear the transition into actual work. That it may bore their students, especially if you teach high school reading intervention classes like me. So, what’s a teacher to do to keep the momentum going? The answer is: urban legends. “Hey class, so the other day I heard from my cousin’s friend, that…”

After teaching high school reading intervention courses for many years, I know that starting with a novel is a mistake—it’s too long. Literature circles are also a wonderful opening unit, but I found that introducing them too early often derailed my lesson plans and created absolute chaos. Then I tried beginning with Urban Legends, a unit I usually do at the end of the year. It became so successful that now I always start with it.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Sarah Hastings Morley is both a Reading Specialist and a high school English Composition Teacher. This is her 13th year teaching in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL. She earned her Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education from Illinois State University, and her Master’s in Education: Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University.

Education News

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

CoSN Unveils 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report

The annual report provides actionable recommendations to help districts shift from reactive to resilient amid escalating cyber threats.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Sarah Hastings Morley
Sarah Hastings Morley
Sarah Hastings Morley is both a Reading Specialist and a high school English Composition Teacher. This is her 13th year teaching in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL. She earned her Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education from Illinois State University, and her Master’s in Education: Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University.

Advertisement

Read More

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Explorations in Biology Through Origami, 3D Modeling, and Optical Illusions

Blending art and biology through hands-on paper-folding activities is a fun and unique way to engage students at the elementary level.

4 Places Teachers Can Buy Custom Assistive Technology Devices for Schools

Custom assistive devices empower students with disabilities by fostering independence, building skills, and supporting full inclusion in the classroom.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

CoSN Unveils 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report

The annual report provides actionable recommendations to help districts shift from reactive to resilient amid escalating cyber threats.
betmexico | juegos de casino online gratis sin descargar | casino señorial mancillas | casino slot | decoracion casino | casino logo | rio hotel casino | tragamonedas casino | orus casino | ruleta aleatoria comprar | casino villa galicia | jackpot party casino free coins | cuernavaca casino pullman | sunland park racetrack and casino | slot machine band | casino villa de acuña | como cambiar el número de membresía en la app de sams | big bola casino santa fe | ruleta casino | slot crazy | ganabet mx | doradobet | empate no accion | tragamonedas de hot vegas gratis | calientecasimo apuestas | codere xalapa | grupo codere méxico | casino online i sverige | error 76 tragamonedas | como ganar dinero ahorrando en el banco | casino viva mexico | paris las vegas resort & casino las vegas | free slots gratis | casinos para bodas | casino de los médicos | casino real salon | uno spin reglas | doubledown casino promo codes | ruleta aleatoria como hacer | south point hotel casino & spa | como ganar dinero desde casa con instagram | maquinitas progresivas | ruleta de sorteo |