THE WORST ACTIVITIES TO USE IN ELA (and How to Make Them Better) [Ep 255]

Marie Morris and Amanda Cardenas are the secondary ELA teachers behind Brave New Teaching, and they’re in your earbuds to talk shop without the usual platitudes. This isn’t about theory from a distant ivory tower; it’s a direct, practical conversation forged in the reality of their own middle and high school classrooms. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in the teacher’s lounge with two colleagues who aren’t afraid to be honest about what works, what flops, and how to navigate the ever-changing demands of education. You’ll hear them deconstruct lesson plans, debate classroom management strategies, and share the small, brave experiments that can reinvigorate a teaching practice. The core of this podcast is built on the belief that teachers are the best architects of their own classrooms, and Amanda and Marie provide the tools and camaraderie to help you do just that. They blend their distinct voices-Amanda’s work with Mud and Ink Teaching and Marie’s perspective from The Caffeinated Classroom-into a single, energizing resource. Tune in for a mix of actionable advice, reflective dialogue, and the kind of supportive push that encourages you to try something new on Monday morning. It’s a dedicated space for educators ready to reclaim their professional autonomy and find fresh inspiration alongside fellow practitioners.