Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
20 Best Texts to Teach in January: Fresh Starts, New Beginnings, and Smart Classroom Momentum
January is one of the most important — and underestimated — teaching months of the year. After the break, students don’t need noise or novelty; they need texts that rebuild focus, invite reflection, and spark meaningful discussion. This curated list of 20 novels, short stories, poems, films, and podcasts offers flexible, high-impact texts that work across ages and formats, helping you reset classroom momentum without overloading your planning.
12 Engaging Podcasts to Hook Teens and Deepen Classroom Analysis
Podcasts aren’t just background noise or Friday-afternoon filler. Used intentionally, they become rich texts for analysis, offering students access to real voices and real perspectives. From true crime to poetry to investigative journalism, podcasts allow students to explore ideas, examine viewpoint, and analyse how meaning is constructed through sound, structure, and tone. Here are twelve powerful podcast recommendations to transform listening into real learning.
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.
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.
Adolescence on Netflix: What It Reveals About Our Boys and Why Teachers Should Watch It
A gripping, real-time series, Adolescence doesn’t just tell a story, it forces us to confront one. Following the radicalisation of a 13-year-old boy who murders his classmate after she calls him an incel, this four-part drama explores how misogyny, isolation, and online influence can collide in devastating ways. In this post, I reflect on what the show gets right, how it mirrors the challenges in our schools, and why teachers should be paying close attention.