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 $15.99/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

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

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

Guardians of the Coast: Building Kids’ Confidence Through Art

I was recently involved with an art exhibition in the Thanet District of Kent, England, that helped students see themselves as artists, advocates, and changemakers.

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.
slots vegas slots | casino web | casino hcm | carousel casino | mega moolah slot | slot giochi | casino 2go | những bài hát karaoke hay | game slot live | casino campuchia | lô gan bến tre | fabet live | james bond casino | xoilac tv 90phut | tipico casino | casino girl | bxh brazil serie a | bongdalu 38com | macau casino | đánh bài casino campuchia | casino hu | casino chau doc | how to play slots | thống kê giải đặc biệt theo tuần theo tháng | nằm mơ thấy dây chuyền vàng đánh đề con gì | xsmb đặc biệt tuần | nz paysafe casino | 777bet casino | sparks slot review | new casino not on gamstop | yutuber | slogan tiếng anh | mannhan tv | kết quả max 3d | psg đấu với strasbourg | thời tiết phú quốc 10 ngày tới | las vegas casino bankruptcies | lucky89 border casino | xoilac365 | clmm casino | rong vang slot | gaito không vào được | casino organization | casino forum | spinaru casino | online casinos test | đăng ký 3g | vay tiền f88 | slot cars | mu truyen ky | baccarat casino online | woodbine casino valet parking | best wide slot toaster | lucky247 casino | lịch u23 châu á 2024 | new casino online 2019 | slot canyon inn | slot diffuser sizes | đề về 11 | house of fun slots free coins | xsmy | crowne international casino danang | tỷ lệ kèo bkth | xs max 128gb | slotted hole design |