Serena McKenna
@mckteach.bsky.social
Teacher, over thinker and collector of dogs. Fan of many wonks and respectful, informed discourse. Structured Literacy newbie. Corrections and advice from experts & researchers embraced! Passionate about PUBLIC education.
High school teachers looking for additions to their classroom libraries or a book for book clubs: wow! This is an incredible read! It was recommended by one of my students and I could not put it down! It’s a beautiful piece of literature and a compelling story. #bookclub #youthfiction
October 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
High school teachers looking for additions to their classroom libraries or a book for book clubs: wow! This is an incredible read! It was recommended by one of my students and I could not put it down! It’s a beautiful piece of literature and a compelling story. #bookclub #youthfiction
Reposted by Serena McKenna
Looking for some ice 🧊 breakers for those first few days of school?
Canva has some fantastic, customizable, ready-to-use activities for you!
Get links to these four 🧊ice breaker activities along tons of other ideas in our Back to School post⬇️
https://f.mtr.cool/nmjiashjmt
Canva has some fantastic, customizable, ready-to-use activities for you!
Get links to these four 🧊ice breaker activities along tons of other ideas in our Back to School post⬇️
https://f.mtr.cool/nmjiashjmt
August 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Looking for some ice 🧊 breakers for those first few days of school?
Canva has some fantastic, customizable, ready-to-use activities for you!
Get links to these four 🧊ice breaker activities along tons of other ideas in our Back to School post⬇️
https://f.mtr.cool/nmjiashjmt
Canva has some fantastic, customizable, ready-to-use activities for you!
Get links to these four 🧊ice breaker activities along tons of other ideas in our Back to School post⬇️
https://f.mtr.cool/nmjiashjmt
I won this text at a literacy event this week, and since our board just released its position regarding AI in education, this win is timely! Getting ready to introduce 4U students to the world of AI, while simultaneously planning Structured Literacy for my Locally Developed grades 9 & 10 class!
August 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I won this text at a literacy event this week, and since our board just released its position regarding AI in education, this win is timely! Getting ready to introduce 4U students to the world of AI, while simultaneously planning Structured Literacy for my Locally Developed grades 9 & 10 class!
Meeting with Language Chairs from other secondary schools tomorrow to demonstrate what structured literacy looks like in grade 9 and 10 classrooms!
March 21, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Meeting with Language Chairs from other secondary schools tomorrow to demonstrate what structured literacy looks like in grade 9 and 10 classrooms!
To help grade 9 students notice diction & consider how word choice contributes to overall meaning we learned about connotation. I always create a ref sheet after a lesson, based on concepts we just learned so examples are relevant. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Elements of Fiction & Stylistic Devices
Elements of Fiction & Stylistic Devices Considering the Author’s Choices CHARACTERIZATION Characterization is the process by which an author reveals a character's personality, traits, and qualities in...
docs.google.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
To help grade 9 students notice diction & consider how word choice contributes to overall meaning we learned about connotation. I always create a ref sheet after a lesson, based on concepts we just learned so examples are relevant. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Follow up to last post: essay writing is scaffolded. I provide feedback at each stage. Yes, it’s a lot of work but this is where short videos are everything. I’ll record comments on thesis and arguments. We all refine them at the same time. Same process for each stage.
February 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Follow up to last post: essay writing is scaffolded. I provide feedback at each stage. Yes, it’s a lot of work but this is where short videos are everything. I’ll record comments on thesis and arguments. We all refine them at the same time. Same process for each stage.
Are you a secondary teacher struggling to assess and provide feedback on a MASSIVE stack of essays? I use a checklist that I edit depending on learning goals. Often I also record personal comments in short vids. My students love the feedback videos. Feel free to copy
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
LitEssayFeedback checklist
NBE3U Essay Feedback Checklist: completed by Ms. McKenna on ___________________________ Name: Ideas addressed (evidence of reading comprehension) Topics & Themes Racism/Intolerance Stereotypes Iden...
docs.google.com
February 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Are you a secondary teacher struggling to assess and provide feedback on a MASSIVE stack of essays? I use a checklist that I edit depending on learning goals. Often I also record personal comments in short vids. My students love the feedback videos. Feel free to copy
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Examples of vertical learning in NBE3U. We are comparing the ideas addressed in a variety of text forms. I’m not a fan of “This demonstrates”, but we need to master other skills rn. Later I use this phrase as a lesson about overuse of pronouns & we beef up the word choice to be very specific.
February 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Examples of vertical learning in NBE3U. We are comparing the ideas addressed in a variety of text forms. I’m not a fan of “This demonstrates”, but we need to master other skills rn. Later I use this phrase as a lesson about overuse of pronouns & we beef up the word choice to be very specific.
This is a resource I created that I’m using as a source for vocabulary lessons. We are early in the semester and I am already seeing more deliberate, informed choices of vocabulary! This is a doc that’s in progress but feel free to copy, adapt, improve…!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Verbs in categories
. Communication and Expression Articulates: The author articulates the complexity of human emotions through the inner monologue of the protagonist. Clarifies: The narrator clarifies the character's mo...
docs.google.com
February 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This is a resource I created that I’m using as a source for vocabulary lessons. We are early in the semester and I am already seeing more deliberate, informed choices of vocabulary! This is a doc that’s in progress but feel free to copy, adapt, improve…!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Elements of SL in high school- what does it look like in higher grades? Explicit teaching of vocabulary and syntax in an NBE3U class. We are using vertical learning to practise! Students thinking about words and having the time and space to talk about them makes this teacher’s heart very happy!
February 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Elements of SL in high school- what does it look like in higher grades? Explicit teaching of vocabulary and syntax in an NBE3U class. We are using vertical learning to practise! Students thinking about words and having the time and space to talk about them makes this teacher’s heart very happy!
I won an award! I’m actually really impressed that I’ve never brought a rubber mallet to school to “fix” this machine. It is only February.
February 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I won an award! I’m actually really impressed that I’ve never brought a rubber mallet to school to “fix” this machine. It is only February.
For the record, no one interrupted!
February 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
For the record, no one interrupted!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t... For my Canadian friends: the Moore-Butts conversations are among my favourite episodes on The Bridge. Get a measured, respectful & truthful bipartisan insight on how things run behind the scenes in our country. This is a really important time to pay attention!
Moore Butts Conversation #18 -- Advice for The Rocky Political Road Ahead
Podcast Episode · The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge · 2025-01-06 · 49m
podcasts.apple.com
January 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t... For my Canadian friends: the Moore-Butts conversations are among my favourite episodes on The Bridge. Get a measured, respectful & truthful bipartisan insight on how things run behind the scenes in our country. This is a really important time to pay attention!
They're from different generations — but a green bench brought them together in Tecumseh, Ont. - CBC News I loved this story. There is mention of a teen skateboarding past a bench who stops to sit with an elderly person to ask if he should stay in school. 🥹 We all need a green bench!
January 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
They're from different generations — but a green bench brought them together in Tecumseh, Ont. - CBC News I loved this story. There is mention of a teen skateboarding past a bench who stops to sit with an elderly person to ask if he should stay in school. 🥹 We all need a green bench!
Connections
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December 9, 2024 at 4:08 AM
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December 2, 2024 at 4:14 AM
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Are there any secondary school English teachers here? I’m looking to start a starter pack. I would love to start conversations about assessment, adolescent literacy & structured literacy in grades 9 & 10!
November 28, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Are there any secondary school English teachers here? I’m looking to start a starter pack. I would love to start conversations about assessment, adolescent literacy & structured literacy in grades 9 & 10!
Wordle 1,254 4/6
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November 25, 2024 at 12:58 AM
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podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/j... Are there any secondary teachers on BS🦋 yet? I need the freeze time superpower so I can binge listen!
Reading Intervention for Adolescent Readers with Dr. Margaret Opatz and Sara Kocherhans
Podcast Episode · Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy Podcast · 2024-03-29 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
November 23, 2024 at 4:12 PM
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/j... Are there any secondary teachers on BS🦋 yet? I need the freeze time superpower so I can binge listen!
Shout out to @katewinn.bsky.social for posting this title in the other platform we will not name! This book is providing the missing puzzle pieces in our Structured Literacy journey at Holy Cross Secondary School! Are Structured Literacy t shirts a thing? Can we make them a thing?
November 22, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Shout out to @katewinn.bsky.social for posting this title in the other platform we will not name! This book is providing the missing puzzle pieces in our Structured Literacy journey at Holy Cross Secondary School! Are Structured Literacy t shirts a thing? Can we make them a thing?
Reposted by Serena McKenna
Highly recommend @IDA_Ontario's Basics of Decoding and Spelling Instruction course. It's very affordable, asynchronous, and you have access to the course forever! #onted #structuredliteracy #SOR #edusky
November 19, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Highly recommend @IDA_Ontario's Basics of Decoding and Spelling Instruction course. It's very affordable, asynchronous, and you have access to the course forever! #onted #structuredliteracy #SOR #edusky
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t... sighhhhhh. I NEVER miss an opportunity to listen to Janice Stein, but this episode scared me. Well, none of this is surprising but still, to hear her actually sigh and groan on air- yikes. We are in for a wild four years.
Would You Trust The New US Team With Your Secrets?
Podcast Episode · The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge · 2024-11-18 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
November 19, 2024 at 12:33 PM
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t... sighhhhhh. I NEVER miss an opportunity to listen to Janice Stein, but this episode scared me. Well, none of this is surprising but still, to hear her actually sigh and groan on air- yikes. We are in for a wild four years.
THIS
🌍 The single most important first step to designing for #school #equity and #inclusion is deep, sustained work on the instruction that all #students get in every classroom--#UDL. #LeadInclusion #EdLeaders #Teachers #UDLchat #EduSky
November 15, 2024 at 11:41 AM
THIS
I want a Janice Stein t shirt. She is so awesome that I would rep her in some cool merch. #makeintellectcoolagain
"Murder is at the highest level of domestic interference that occurs." — Janice Stein (Munk School) on Canada's expulsion of Indian diplomats. At 8/11pm with Arif Lalani (StrategyCorp), Sanjay Ruparelia (@torontomet.bsky.social), Partha Mohanram (Rotman School) & @spaikin.bsky.social #cdnpoli
November 14, 2024 at 11:00 PM
I want a Janice Stein t shirt. She is so awesome that I would rep her in some cool merch. #makeintellectcoolagain
I don’t know how this happened. They’re like chips or those tiny Kit Kat bars. It’s unreasonable to expect a gal to stop at one!
November 11, 2024 at 6:56 AM
I don’t know how this happened. They’re like chips or those tiny Kit Kat bars. It’s unreasonable to expect a gal to stop at one!