Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
How and Why to Teach Dulce et Decorum Est: Context, Meaning, and Classroom Approach
Dulce et Decorum Est is one of the most widely taught and frequently misunderstood poems of the First World War. This in-depth guide explores how and why to teach Wilfred Owen’s war poem through historical context, changing attitudes to war, and thoughtful classroom practice. From first encounters with the poem to assessment and common teaching pitfalls, this post offers a clear, purposeful approach to teaching Dulce et Decorum Est as more than an exam text — but as a powerful challenge to the language used to glorify war.
How to Teach Animal Farm: Practical Strategies, Discussion Ideas, and Activities That Actually Work
Teaching Animal Farm works best when you slow students down and focus on how Orwell builds power through language, propaganda, and responsibility. In this post, I break down how to teach it without drowning students in context, share activities that actually work in the classroom, and include a free set of Chapter 1 creative writing prompts you can use straight away.
My Favourite Texts to Teach in March (Novels, Plays, Short Stories & Poems)
March is a turning point in the school year. Students are no longer settling in, but they’re not quite finished either — and that shift matters. This is the moment when texts about voice, power, and resistance begin to land differently. From novels and plays to short stories and poems, these are the texts I return to every March because they meet students exactly where they are: questioning, restless, and ready to think more deeply.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.