Blended Literacy

One of the most exciting parts of developing my blended literacy course was designing a flipped lesson that focuses on how authors create suspense in literature. In a flipped classroom model, students engage with instructional content before class, often through short videos or digital resources, so that class time can be used for deeper discussion, collaboration, and application of skills. For literacy instruction, this approach allows students to come to class ready to analyze texts rather than simply being introduced to concepts.

In this lesson, students begin by watching a short instructional video that introduces several techniques authors use to build suspense, including foreshadowing, pacing, tone and mood, irony, and setting. The goal is to help students recognize that suspense is not accidental; it is intentionally crafted by the author to keep readers engaged and to build tension throughout the story. Students are also introduced to examples from familiar suspenseful texts so they can begin recognizing these techniques in action. Students will view a variety of videos which will help them along the way.

Suspense Stories for students

Once students enter the classroom, the focus shifts from instruction to active analysis. Students read sections of suspenseful stories and annotate the text to identify where authors use these techniques. Using digital annotation tools, students highlight passages and label examples of foreshadowing, pacing, tone, or other suspense-building strategies. More importantly, students are asked to explain why the author might have used that technique and how it contributes to the overall tension in the story.

This annotation process helps students move beyond simply identifying literary elements. Instead, they begin to think critically about how authors make deliberate choices to shape the reader’s experience. For example, students might notice how a small piece of foreshadowing early in a story hints at an upcoming conflict, or how pacing slows down during a key moment to increase tension.

Another benefit of the flipped structure is that it frees up classroom time for discussion and collaboration. After annotating, students share their findings with classmates and compare interpretations. Sometimes students notice different suspense techniques in the same passage, which leads to interesting conversations about how readers experience stories in different ways.

Ultimately, this flipped lesson helps students see literature through a more analytical lens. Instead of simply reading a story for the plot, they begin to recognize the craft behind storytelling. By annotating texts and identifying suspense techniques, students develop stronger close reading skills while also gaining a deeper appreciation for how authors create engaging and memorable stories.

This experience also reinforced an important lesson for me as a teacher: when technology and instructional strategies are used intentionally, they can help students engage more deeply with texts and become more thoughtful readers.