Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
10 Dystopian Texts to Teach Beyond 1984 (Classroom Ideas & Creative Writing)
Every time dystopian fiction comes up in the classroom, 1984 takes centre stage. And for good reason — it’s chilling, essential, and one of those texts I’ll always defend teaching. But Orwell isn’t the whole story. Dystopia is also about fear, climate collapse, isolation, memory, love, and the choices people make when systems fall apart. This post shares ten powerful texts that go beyond Orwell, each with themes, classroom ideas, and creative writing extensions you can use straight away.
The Best Netflix Shows and Films to Use in the Secondary Classroom
Streaming doesn’t have to mean “switching off.” Netflix is packed with series and films that open up rich discussions in the secondary English classroom — from dystopian cautionary tales like Black Mirror to tender coming-of-age stories like Heartstopper. Used thoughtfully, these titles can spark debate, connect literature to students’ lives, and bring themes like identity, grief, and power into focus. This guide rounds up some of the best options, with classroom pairings, creative activities, and cross-curricular links to help you use screen time as a powerful teaching tool.
10 Haunting Poems to Teach This Halloween (That Aren’t Just The Raven)
Halloween isn’t just for spooky short stories — poetry can be just as haunting. From Poe’s The Raven to eerie ballads like The Unquiet Grave, these poems bring atmosphere, symbolism, and Gothic chills into the classroom. Perfect for middle and high school, this list offers ten haunting poems that make October lessons both literary and seasonal.
10 Books by Young Authors That Show Students Their Voices Matter
Many students believe they’re “too young” to write something meaningful. Yet history proves otherwise. From Anne Frank’s diary to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Malala Yousafzai’s memoir, young authors have created works that changed literature, history, and even global movements. This post explores ten powerful books written by teenagers and young writers, showing how their voices can inspire students to write with confidence today.
Halloween Gothic Short Stories & Creative Writing Bundle: Teach Analysis and Imagination in One Go
Looking for ready-to-go Halloween ELA activities? This Gothic short story and creative writing bundle is perfect for middle and high school lesson plans. Explore The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Monkey’s Paw with complete activities, then let students create their own eerie narratives through the Victoriana Creative Writing Mystery Box. A time-saving, engaging way to combine analysis and imagination this October.
10 Best Edgar Allan Poe Stories to Teach (And How to Teach Them)
Spooky season is the perfect time to teach Edgar Allan Poe. From The Tell-Tale Heart to The Masque of the Red Death, his stories and poems hook students with Gothic atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and detective intrigue. This list highlights the 10 best Poe texts to teach — with ready-to-use resources, activities, and creative ideas to bring them alive in your classroom.
10 Best WWI Poems to Teach (And How to Teach Them)
WWI poetry captures the shift from patriotic idealism to the brutal realities of the front line. These ten poems — from Owen’s haunting Dulce et Decorum Est to Rosenberg’s symbolic Break of Day in the Trenches — bring history, empathy, and powerful language into the classroom. Here’s why they’re worth teaching and how to make them resonate with your students.
Why I Swear by Picture Prompts for Teaching Literature (And How to Use Them)
Picture prompts aren’t just for creative writing units — they can transform the way students connect with literature. Whether you use them to spark predictions before reading or to inspire a fresh take after finishing a text, the right image can flip the switch from passive reader to active thinker. Here’s how I use picture prompts to teach language through literature, keep lessons fresh, and make analysis feel less like a chore.
Why I Still Teach Of Mice and Men in 2025
It’s been taught a thousand times, and for good reason. This novella still silences a room, sparks debate, and gets students thinking deeply about morality, loneliness, and power. In this post, I share how I teach it, the moments that always hit hardest, and why it’s still one of the most powerful texts in my classroom.
How to Teach All Summer in a Day (Including Discussion Ideas & Creative Writing Activities)
Explore how to teach Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day” with meaningful discussions, tension-mapping, and creative writing tasks. This post shares classroom ideas, writing prompts, and ready-to-use resources to help students connect deeply with Margot’s story of isolation, empathy, and missed sunlight.
Why Macbeth Is the Only Shakespeare Play I’ll Never Get Sick Of
I’ve taught Macbeth more times than I can count, and somehow, I still look forward to it. There’s just something about the witches, the guilt, the madness. In this post, I’m sharing why Macbeth is the one Shakespeare play I’ll never get sick of—plus some of my favourite creative writing tasks and classroom stories along the way.
How to Teach English Language Skills Using Literature Texts (Free Prompts Included)
Combine language and literature in a meaningful way with chapter-by-chapter creative writing prompts. This post explores how you can build writing skills while deepening students’ understanding of the texts you teach - plus, you’ll find lots of free resources to download and try right away.
Teaching 1984: Activities, Experiments, and Real-World Connections
Teaching 1984 isn’t just about exploring a dystopian novel, it’s about showing students how power, control, and surveillance shape the world around them. In this post, I’m sharing how a real-world classroom experiment helped my students experience Orwell’s warnings firsthand, plus practical strategies for breaking down the novel’s complex themes in an engaging, accessible way.
Why Ray Bradbury Is the Original Black Mirror (and How to Teach Both in the Classroom)
Ray Bradbury might not have predicted Instagram likes or parental control implants, but his stories hold up like eerie reflections of our own tech-obsessed world. In this post, I pair classic Bradbury short stories with Black Mirror episodes to explore how both challenge our ideas about progress, power, and humanity. Perfect for teachers looking to spark meaningful discussions in the classroom.
10 Big Themes to Teach in Literature (That Students Actually Care About)
Tired of trying to make students care about literature? Start with themes that actually mean something to them. These ten big ideas - from identity and injustice to grief and resilience - are the ones students really connect with. Plus, I’ve included text suggestions and creative ways to teach each one.
Why I Swapped Traditional Discussion Questions for Roll-the-Dice Boards - And Never Looked Back
Tired of classroom discussions that fall flat? I was too - until I swapped traditional comprehension questions for a simple roll-the-dice game that completely transformed the way my students talk about literature. These boards turn discussion into something engaging, student-led, and genuinely thought-provoking. Here’s how I use them, why they work, and how you can try them in your classroom too.
Why I Still Teach Romeo and Juliet (Even Though I Hate It)
I’ve taught Romeo and Juliet for over a decade—and I still hate it. But that’s exactly why it works. Here’s how I use student debates, modern rewrites, and creative twists to turn eye-rolls into engagement (and yes, we watch the Leo version).