Unless there is a universal shift toward focusing more on mechanics and writing, our students face a future of becoming only masters in test taking, test preparation, and test question process of elimination. We are teaching content depth without breath.
I've been working the past year writing and piloting a Common Core Language Strand curriculum for Grades 4-12 teachers. The trick is to teach the grammar, usage, mechanics, spelling lessons, language application, and vocabulary Standards in 60-90 weekly instructional minutes.
We do have a few other things to teach...
I'll be releasing the Grades 6, 7, and 8 programs of Teaching the Language Strand next month.
I think we do - in most schools around here, American literature is the focus of our entire 11th grade year. And the vast majority of the books used in all our grades from K through 12th are books authored by Americans.
I'm not sure what you're speaking of but I note your other post - is it Shakespeare you object to? Yes, we do one of his plays every year from 6th on here but that's a very traditional curriculum.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'global literature' - I can't think of any work that's global - other than Shakespeare. He does seem to belong to the globe. What else?
We do read All Quiet On the Western Front but that classic seems to be belong to the world as well. We do focus our 12 grade literature classes on British literature - is British literature global?
But 9th, 10th, and 11th grade at every school around here uses all American-authored books.
news article feature article inter...See MoreGood luck....that sounds like a lot of fun. Trying to take my own journalism class from high school into account, as well as my experiences in journalism classes as a communication major, I have always found that class sessions - usually one week at a time - a broken down into different types of writing:
news article feature article interview editorial sports feature "brief" (short Associated Press type of articles) review two person point of view perspective
and so on.....
Eventually, we attended meetings, sporting events, and other events and reported on them.
I have my own drawings and art in there, fake plants (because I don't need another job - watering) a Shakespeare doll, artsy posters for my favourite novels, wildlife pictures, and also some paper art (a sun, drama masks, and clouds) Just fill it up!
I find that cheap wrapping paper is good to cover bulletin board (cork boards) if the school has no money for supplies like that.
May I suggest thinking about a color scheme? Obviously, you will start with the wall and floor color, then choose 1 or 2 colors to coordinate/accent. So, if you choose say, black as the accent color, get the stapler, bulletin board edge, small decorative accessory in black. My coworker decided on black (she's a goth type) so she spray painted the file cabinets and desk (both were trashy dinged up metal). It immediately improved the room! Depending on what she finds on sale, she'll decorate with a blood red bouquet, or white feathers, or purple ribbon.
Personally, my classroom style of decorating has always been - super clean and organized. That is ALWAYS appropriate, and actually some students prefer not to be slammed with so many visuals - some find it distracting, Don't be afraid to be minimalist - just one thing extra at the corners. This will also let you rotate the extra. If I have anything decorative up, it's art from my students or examples of great papers. I've also had the big posters that look like a notebook page, with MLA format written on it.
I love scent in the room, but some students don't like that at all. The only scents I've ever found universally pleasing are cinnamon and clean. I always like to open the windows for a few minutes in the morning (if that's possible) to air out the room, and do that again in the afternoon.
Several years ago, I read a few articles on the internet about feng shui, and decided to organize my office a little like that - and you know, it actually feels more organized and calm! Only one coworker has recognized and commented on it.
Always remember that you can decorate and redecorate almost instantly with your computer and overhead projector. Simply change the screensaver. I will do that periodically and my students always comment whether they like or dislike the screen.
I'm looking desperately for new novels! I'm finding that the themes of our classics are just not so universally applicable anymore.
I tried to get "Feed" but it had too many swears. Someone suggested "White Oleander" - might be good. I got "Into the Wild" for the department a few years ago.
On ...See MoreI think Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock would be a good novel to study. The way that DJ is able to transform herself into something else in order to reach a goal she has... it has a pretty good theme. There is also a minor character who kind of sort of "comes out", so this obviously wouldn't fly in a Christian private school.
On 6/05/12, Laura wrote: > Just to add to that, I'm looking for contemporary themes and > settings - ideas, situations, and themes that the students can > really relate to. >
Hi Laura. If you're still looking for suggestions, the books my juniors have responded to best (I require them to read modern/contemporary novels outside of class) are: Ironman (or really, anything by Chris Crutcher). He is, or was, a teen therapist, and does a great job describing troubled teens. Fairly "clean" text too. There's also Jake Reinvented, which is an updated version of Great Gatsby, set in high school. White Oleander is great (more popular with girls in my experience), as is Kite Runner (if you can get by the rape scene). I have parents sign permission slips ahead of time, along with a disclaimer about adult content in some cases, and a note that all books on lists are approved by the ALA, and/or ATCE (Amer. Council of Teachers of English). Best of luck-- and please post if you found more novels. Always looking for more suggestions!
Teri - It's a credit to you that your students enjoy reading. That they don't do so well in higher-level tests is because they are young: they haven't lived long enough to build a large vocabulary. It will come as they continue reading.
Arnult HandleySara - Cow pie comes from a British comic-book character Desperate Dan who is so tough that he shaves with a blowtorch and eats pie made from the complete cow (it must be true because you can see the horns sticking out) References like this shows what a complex task you are thinking about. Anyway my address is freelance.[email removed]
I've read mixed reviews of the no...See MoreSo, I finally will have a chance to teach English IV Honors next year. (Insert joyous yell here.) But then I find out that the English IV teachers only use the textbook and one novel, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. With all of the fantastic novels and plays out there, I have to admit, I'm disappointed.
I've read mixed reviews of the novel. What do you all think? Is this a good example of Modern British literature?
Well, I am English and yes, it is a fine example of a modern British novel. Of course, there are the author's own cultural influences. There is a lot to discuss - cloning, right to life, how we will be in the future, parenting, etc. The gradual revelation is useful in engaging the students. There is a very decent film version that can be used at a later date. Good luck.