Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
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.