"For the teachers, by the teachers." That's how it goes, right?

Our Teaching Guides are written by teachers, reviewed by experts, and Shmooped by Shmoopers. The goal is to help you supplement in-classroom learning with fun, engaging, and relatable learning materials that bring your subject to life. We like to think of them as idea generators...with a laundry list of other features, too.

Whether you're teaching a something for the first time and panicking about it, teaching something for the thousandth time and looking for a fresh idea, or you just stayed out a little too late the night before (hey, it happens)...our Teaching Guides have what you're looking for.

1. Prepare yourself for obstacles.

You know they're coming, so why not be ready for 'em? Our "Challenges and Opportunities" section will tell you what to expect from teaching the subject, book, or standard. It's just some real talk from our teachers to you about the—you guessed it—challenges and opportunities of teaching the topic.

2. Get some fresh ideas.

Feel like you've made your students compare and contrast Scout and Jem more times than you'd like to admit? Sick of making your students do problem sets on problem sets on problem sets? Spice things up by looking through our "Activities & Assignments." We even have full student instructions that you can share with them so everyone's on the same page.

3. Bring the subject to life.

Our section on "Current Events & Pop Culture" will provide you with outside links—to news articles, YouTube videos, blog posts, you name it—that relate to the topic and can help you get students to see why they should care.

4. Check the boxes.

Yes, we want learning to be fun, but there are also boxes to check. And so we check them.

In our literature, history, civics, and economics Teaching Guides, you'll find "Reading Quizzes" and "Discussion & Essay Questions," and in our math Teaching Guides, you'll find "Handouts" with exercises and examples.

Bottom line? We put materials together so you have time to do what you do best: teach.

P.S. Our Teaching Guides are also great things to leave for subs if you don't have time to put something together for 'em.

Interested in getting Shmoop into your school or district? Email sales@shmoop.com and let our Sales Shmooperstars know who you are and what you're looking for.

Just have a question about something in Shmoopland? Hit us up at support@shmoop.com. It's kind of gross how often we check our email, so we'll get back to you in the blink of a cursor.