5 Best Dystopian Short Stories to Engage Middle and High School ELA Students at the Start of the Year

Dystopian fiction has a way of pulling students in from the very first page—blending suspense, societal criticism, and imaginative “what if" scenarios that spark both critical and creative thinking. Short stories are especially powerful at the start of the year since they allow students to engage quickly with big themes while practicing core ELA skills. Here are five of the best dystopian short stories to kick off your secondary ELA classroom.

1. The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury

In this eerie tale, Leonard Mead is arrested simply for taking a nighttime walk in a society where everyone stays glued to their televisions. Bradbury warns of isolation, conformity, and the dangers of unchecked technology. Teachers can guide students in analyzing author’s purpose, tone, and setting as commentary on modern society, as well as evaluating how dystopian elements reflect current cultural concerns.

2. The Veldt by Ray Bradbury

This chilling story depicts children who become dangerously attached to a nursery that can simulate any environment—eventually turning against their parents. Students will be intrigued by the blend of science fiction and family dynamics, while teachers can focus on irony, characterization, and symbolism, as well as exploring how Bradbury uses speculative fiction to critique overreliance on technology.

3. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

In a society where “equality” means handicapping the talented, Harrison Bergeron rebels against government control. The satirical tone and exaggerated world give students plenty to analyze, from themes of freedom vs. control to satire as a literary device. Teachers can emphasize how Vonnegut uses characterization, conflict, and hyperbole to convey criticism of enforced conformity.

4. There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury

This haunting short story presents a fully automated house continuing its daily routines long after humanity has been destroyed. With vivid imagery and personification, Bradbury critiques technological dependence and human self-destruction. Teachers can emphasize close reading of imagery, symbolism, and mood, along with how setting functions as a character in itself.

5. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

At first glance, this story depicts a quaint village ritual, but it quickly turns dark as tradition leads to shocking violence. Jackson masterfully builds suspense, making it an excellent text for analyzing foreshadowing, irony, and theme. Teachers can highlight how the story critiques blind conformity and the dangers of tradition while encouraging students to explore allegory and symbolism.

Essentially:
Starting the year with dystopian short stories not only hooks students’ attention but also establishes the foundation for key ELA skills: analyzing theme, evaluating author’s purpose, identifying literary devices, and connecting text to real-world issues. These stories set the tone for a year of critical reading, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful writing.

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How to Keep ELA Students Engaged During Testing Season (Without Losing Your Mind!)

Let’s be real—testing season can feel like a grind. Between drills, practice tests, and pacing guides, it’s easy for engagement to take a backseat. But it doesn’t have to! You can keep your students motivated, creative, and learning—all while prepping them for their end-of-year assessments. Here are 3 fun and meaningful ways to keep students engaged during testing season:

🎬 1. Use Movies & Songs to Reinforce ELA Skills

ELA standards are everywhere—even in the music and movies your students already love! Use short film clips to analyze tone, theme, or characterization. Try pairing a popular song with a nonfiction text and have students compare rhetorical choices.

Examples:

• Use Hamilton lyrics to explore rhetorical devices like repetition or allusion.

• Analyze the hero’s journey in a Pixar short film.

• Compare the tone of a poem with a modern pop song.

These kinds of activities feel like a break, but are actually perfect review opportunities! Check out these rhetoric review worksheets I created using movie speeches.

🎨 2. Offer Creative Projects That Apply ELA Concepts

Sometimes, the best way to reinforce learning is to let students do something with it. Instead of assigning another worksheet, offer fun projects that require them to apply ELA skills in new, creative ways.

Project ideas:

• Design a one-pager that visually analyzes a central theme or character arc.

• Create a podcast or video explaining a key rhetorical concept.

• Rewrite a scene from a book from a different character’s point of view.

The possibilities are endless—and the engagement is real. Here are six different projects I’ve created for my students!

✅ 3. Give Students a Voice with Choice

When students feel ownership over their learning, their investment skyrockets. Give them options! Let them choose which skills or standards they want to review, or what format their review takes.

Try this:

• Create a “choice board” with different review options—games, writing prompts, mini-projects, etc.

• Let students vote on which skills to revisit as a class.

• Offer 2–3 project formats for students to select from.

This autonomy encourages them to take their review seriously while making it feel less like review and more like exploration.

Bottom line?

Testing season doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can keep the energy up, reinforce critical skills, and give students a chance to enjoy learning—even in April.

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Time-Saving Multiple-Choice Reading Strategies to Help Students Succeed on the SAT, ACT, AP Lang, and AP Lit Tests

Multiple-choice sections on standardized tests like the AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, SAT, and ACT can be overwhelming for students, but with the right approach, they can maximize their accuracy and efficiency. Here are some key reading strategies to help students work smarter—not harder—on test day!

1️. Answer the Easier Questions First

Not all multiple-choice questions are created equal. Encourage students to prioritize the questions that take less time and yield a higher success rate. On the AP Lang exam, for example, the Composition/Editing passages come second, but they tend to be easier and quicker to answer than the rhetorical analysis questions. Tackling the low-hanging fruit first builds confidence and ensures they maximize their points.

2️. Read with a Purpose

One of the biggest time traps in multiple-choice sections is pre-reading the entire passage before attempting the questions. Instead, have students read the first question first, then read only until they can answer it. This strategy reduces unnecessary reading time and keeps students engaged with the test’s purpose-driven approach.

3️. Re-Read Key Lines for Targeted Questions

When a question directs students to a specific sentence or line number, they should always read at least one line before and one line after the cited portion. This helps them grasp the full context quickly, making it easier to eliminate wrong answer choices and select the best response efficiently.

4️. Save Whole-Passage Questions for the End

Main idea, overall purpose, and tone questions typically require a broader understanding of the passage. Instead of tackling these first, save them for last—after students have already engaged with the text through answering detail-based and structure-based questions. By then, they'll have a stronger grasp of the passage as a whole, making these questions easier to answer.

5️. Bubble-In Last-Minute Guesses Strategically

As time runs out, make sure students use their last 30–60 seconds to bubble in any unanswered questions. Instead of randomly guessing, instruct them to choose the same letter (A, B, C, or D) consistently for all remaining answers. Statistically, this increases their chances of getting some correct rather than spreading out their guesses randomly.

Final Thoughts: Reinforce Test Strategies with Practice

The best way to solidify these strategies is through consistent exposure. Try:
✅ Remediation exercises that break down question types and strategies. Check out these editable multiple-choice remediation charts for ANY reading test – grades 9-12! AP Language teachers: here are remediation charts designed specifically for you!
✅ Student-created multiple-choice questions to reinforce what each question is asking. AP Lang Teachers: check out this engaging, easy-to-implement multiple-choice activity!
✅ Timed practice sessions to build endurance and familiarity with the format

By implementing these strategies in your classroom, you’ll help students approach multiple-choice questions with confidence, efficiency, and a game plan for success!

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5 Essential Tips for Preparing Students for the AP Language and Composition Digital Exam

The AP Language and Composition exam has transitioned to a fully digital format, bringing new challenges for both students and teachers. As educators, it’s important to adjust our instruction to ensure students are confident and prepared for test day. Here are five essential tips to help students navigate the digital exam successfully.

1. Teach Students How to Read and “Annotate” Using Digital Texts

Unlike in previous years, students will not receive printed copies of the prompts or passages. Instead, they will have to read and analyze texts on a split-screen digital format. To prepare for this, incorporate digital reading into your curriculum. Teach students to use highlighting and annotation tools effectively. Encourage them to practice summarizing, identifying rhetorical strategies, and making quick notes directly within digital texts.

2. Prepare Students to Plan and Outline Essays on Paper

Although the exam is digital, students will be given scratch paper to use for planning and outlining their essays. Reinforce the importance of brainstorming and structuring their responses before typing. Have students practice outlining main ideas, supporting details, and thesis statements on paper to develop a strong habit of prewriting that will serve them well on exam day. Check out these planning guides I’ve made for my students to help them plan for each essay!

3. Train Students to Monitor Their Own Timing

One major change in the digital exam format is that proctors will no longer provide timing reminders during the test. Instead, students must manage their own pacing using the digital timer available on their screen. Incorporate timed practice tests into your instruction and encourage students to set personal benchmarks for when they should move on to the next question or section. Teaching them to check the clock strategically will help them stay on track.

4. Conference with Students About Essay Order Strategy

The digital test allows students to write their essays in any order. This flexibility can be beneficial if students have a strategy in place. Some may prefer to start with the argument essay to build confidence, while others might tackle the synthesis essay first to get the research-heavy portion out of the way. Conference with students individually to help them determine which approach best suits their strengths and test-taking style.

5. Utilize AP Classroom’s Updated Digital Exam Features

The best way to familiarize students with the digital format is to have them practice using the tools they will see on test day. AP Classroom has been updated with Blue Book features, including the digital timer, split-screen functionality, and text box with exam-only features. These tools simulate the actual exam environment, helping students feel comfortable and confident navigating the digital interface.

Final Thoughts

Adapting to the digital AP Language and Composition exam requires intentional preparation, but with the right strategies in place, students can thrive. By incorporating digital reading skills, emphasizing essay planning, reinforcing time management, discussing essay order strategies, and utilizing AP Classroom’s practice tools, teachers can equip students with the skills they need to succeed.

Preparing for the digital AP Lang exam requires intentional practice and strategy. Want more resources designed specifically for this new format? Make sure to subscribe to get free materials like these sent straight to your inbox!