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Great for Character Study

by Mrs. S

Jun 6, 2013

Hey everyone,

I started using this "Fakebook" profile template this year for character study and my kids loved it! I thought I'd share it with you so that you can use it next year, too.

Best,

Mrs. S

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How to Write College Application Essays

by Janine Robinson

Jun 6, 2013

Hi, I know a lot of English teachers are trying to help their juniors get a start on their college admissions essays. I'm a credentialed English teacher, former journalist and writing coach who writes a blog packed with advice, tips and other information on how to write in a narrative style. I thought you might it helpful--especially if you would l...See More

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Curriculum Schedule

by Kim Rauser

Jun 18, 2013

I am in my 4th year teaching, and I know that I should already know this, but I don't. And, I really struggle with it. How do other English teachers incorporate grammar/usage/mechanics, reading literature, and writing. Do you do it individually in units? Have certain days you focus on certain topics? I just can't seem to find what works.

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Sara On 6/18/13, Kim Rauser wrote: > I am in my 4th year teaching, and I know that I should > already know this, but I don't. And, I really struggle with > it. How do other English teachers incorporate > grammar/usage/mechanics, reading literature, and writing. > Do you do it individually in units? Have certain days you > focus on cert...See MoreOn 6/18/13, Kim Rauser wrote: > I am in my 4th year teaching, and I know that I should > already know this, but I don't. And, I really struggle with > it. How do other English teachers incorporate > grammar/usage/mechanics, reading literature, and writing. > Do you do it individually in units? Have certain days you > focus on certain topics? I just can't seem to find what > works.

Marjorie's right - for thinking English teachers, it's a hodge-podge really. Which is why some schools - like my latest one - separate 'English' or 'Language Arts' into two classes - writing and reading are separate. It makes much more sense to do it this way and - it's easier on English teachers too.

I could write a volume - actually somebody has - on why we try to teach writing based on the literature they've read. It was started long ago by a professor at Harvard and become the dominant model for writing instruction - and he only did it because he Hated teaching writing and loved literature.

A high school model that I like a lot has students trying to replicate the style of what they just read rather than writing essays on it. Read a short story, write a short story. Read a poem, write a poem. Read an essay, write an essay - rather than constantly writing essays. Why do we read fiction and then teach expository writing off the fiction? The Harvard professor wanted to do it that way...and we still do.

If your students' speech - as Marjorie describes her students' speech - - is very dialectical, that's a huge challenge for student and teacher alike. How do you write properly if you don't speak properly?

But to answer your question - I jump around a lot during the year and I move units around as I see students waxing and waning or taking interest - I take their energy levels into consideration when I move on to a new unit. One year I tried doing a 'grammar day' every Wednesday and then because I came to believe that grammar instruction did not really impact on their writing or their speech, I came to do less and less grammar. Students were perfectly capable of doing well on grammar tests but looking back at me mystified when I'd circle - "He don't act like he cares but that he might of gone yesterday but was sick" - as needing correction...

I've come to finish every year with a poetry unit because it works - they like it, it's a nice finish. I find it's best to work in 'units'. When we read a novel, we focus on the novel with some writing. When I'm required to read x books a year, I do it that way - I move through the reading having them write along the way.

I believe the research paper should be taught in the Natural Sciences and the Social Sciences from where it comes. Research is the foundation of modern knowledge and teaching the research paper as just another style of writing has never made sense to me. A research paper - such as the one that first suggested to us that smoking was linked to cancer - or the one that demonstrated that welfare mothers never do return to work - is on a different level of importance than the five paragraph essay.

Jul 15, 2013

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pixie Here are couple of ideas inspred by the previous posts:

I disagree with relegating the research paper to science courses. It's not just a research paper; it's researched argumentation - taking a position on a debatable issue and adequately supporting it with relevant, reputable evidence. Writing this paper involves recognizing and practici...See MoreHere are couple of ideas inspred by the previous posts:

I disagree with relegating the research paper to science courses. It's not just a research paper; it's researched argumentation - taking a position on a debatable issue and adequately supporting it with relevant, reputable evidence. Writing this paper involves recognizing and practicing appeals to logic and emotion, and addressing the opposing point of view. It involves writing coherent paragraphs and organizing the paragraphs into a readable, persuasive essay. It involves careful paraphrasing and citing sources both in the text and in the works cited page. Writing this paper develops skills that will be used in college, in careers and in civic life.

My second point is that, contrary to the usual custom of lumping poetry together into a separate unit, why not incorporate it throughout the English course by including poems with thematic links to whatever novel or short story or nonfiction piece is being studied? The Glencoe literature study guides often include poems with a thematic link; for example Animal Farm is linked with "The Last Word" by Matthew Arnold. I think this helps students make connections using higher level thinking skills. Also, it hey only read poetry for a couple of weeks or however long a year, they forget the skill of how to read and appreciate a poem, and learn to hate poetry. If anyone likes this idea but is too busy to hunt down a linked poem, post on this board and I will be glad to assist.

On 7/15/13, Sara wrote: > On 6/18/13, Kim Rauser wrote: >> I am in my 4th year teaching, and I know that I should >> already know this, but I don't. And, I really struggle with >> it. How do other English teachers incorporate >> grammar/usage/mechanics, reading literature, and writing. >> Do you do it individually in units? Have certain days you >> focus on certain topics? I just can't seem to find what >> works. > > Marjorie's right - for thinking English teachers, it's a > hodge-podge really. Which is why some schools - like my latest > one - separate 'English' or 'Language Arts' into two classes - > writing and reading are separate. It makes much more sense to > do it this way and - it's easier on English teachers too. > > I could write a volume - actually somebody has - on why we try > to teach writing based on the literature they've read. It was > started long ago by a professor at Harvard and become the > dominant model for writing instruction - and he only did it > because he Hated teaching writing and loved literature. > > A high school model that I like a lot has students trying to > replicate the style of what they just read rather than writing > essays on it. Read a short story, write a short story. Read a > poem, write a poem. Read an essay, write an essay - rather than > constantly writing essays. Why do we read fiction and then > teach expository writing off the fiction? The Harvard professor > wanted to do it that way...and we still do. > > If your students' speech - as Marjorie describes her students' > speech - - is very dialectical, that's a huge challenge for > student and teacher alike. How do you write properly if you > don't speak properly? > > But to answer your question - I jump around a lot during the > year and I move units around as I see students waxing and > waning or taking interest - I take their energy levels into > consideration when I move on to a new unit. One year I tried > doing a 'grammar day' every Wednesday and then because I came > to believe that grammar instruction did not really impact on > their writing or their speech, I came to do less and less > grammar. Students were perfectly capable of doing well on > grammar tests but looking back at me mystified when I'd circle > - "He don't act like he cares but that he might of gone > yesterday but was sick" - as needing correction... > > I've come to finish every year with a poetry unit because it > works - they like it, it's a nice finish. I find it's best to > work in 'units'. When we read a novel, we focus on the novel > with some writing. When I'm required to read x books a year, I > do it that way - I move through the reading having them write > along the way. > > I believe the research paper should be taught in the Natural > Sciences and the Social Sciences from where it comes. Research > is the foundation of modern knowledge and teaching the research > paper as just another style of writing has never made sense to > me. A research paper - such as the one that first suggested to > us that smoking was linked to cancer - or the one that > demonstrated that welfare mothers never do return to work - is > on a different level of importance than the five paragraph essay.

Aug 16, 2013

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Hyponym versus synonym

by Tracy

Jun 26, 2013

Big large- synonyms Crimson ruby scarlet hyponyms Dr pepper coke hyponyms Gather accumulate collect are? Synonyms or hyponyms Dirty filth and grime are? Synonyms or hyponyms I've reviewed many sourced and they have been labeled both so I woul like more insight .. Synonyms can be used in place of the word and not all of them would work..

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Teri On 6/26/13, Tracy wrote: > Big large- synonyms Crimson ruby scarlet hyponyms Dr pepper > coke hyponyms Gather accumulate collect are? Synonyms or > hyponyms Dirty filth and grime are? Synonyms or hyponyms > I've reviewed many sourced and they have been labeled both > so I woul like more insight .. Synonyms can be used in > place o...See More

Jun 28, 2013

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nazhad On 6/28/13, Teri wrote: > On 6/26/13, Tracy wrote: >> Big large- synonyms Crimson ruby scarlet hyponyms Dr pepper >> coke hyponyms Gather accumulate collect are? Synonyms or >> hyponyms Dirty filth and grime are? Synonyms or hyponyms >> I've reviewed many sourced and they have been labeled both >> so I woul like mor...See More

Jul 13, 2013

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Starting a poetry club and eventually literature mag

by Douglas

Jul 31, 2013

I am a new teacher, who wishes to start a poetry club for students in a district in my area. This would eventually lead to starting a literature publication.

Right now, the school has few clubs, but there is some interest. Does anyone have any advice on how I should begin this process?

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Douglas Thank you for the idea, I will see how it goes.

I had considered presenting some music at some point, and explain how music often can be considered poetry with a "sound track". This is especially helpful for budding artists that I have seen in some of the classrooms.

Aug 2, 2013

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Novel On 8/02/13, Douglas wrote: > Thank you for the idea, I will see how it goes. > > I had considered presenting some music at some point, and explain > how music often can be considered poetry with a "sound track". > This is especially helpful for budding artists that I have seen > in some of the classrooms.

Good idea. You ...See More

Aug 2, 2013

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English/Language Arts or Special Education

by Mary

Aug 18, 2013

I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with Reading certification. I want to make myself more marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. Since there is no Middle School English chat board I'm wondering if you c...See More

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pixie - it depends on your local job market There is no way to generalize. You need to research your area, or the areas where you want to live. You say you want to make yourself more marketable. Have you already tried getting an elem position? If you have not been able to get hired in elem, what evidence do you have that taking more courses would make a difference? Many people have posted on...See MoreThere is no way to generalize. You need to research your area, or the areas where you want to live. You say you want to make yourself more marketable. Have you already tried getting an elem position? If you have not been able to get hired in elem, what evidence do you have that taking more courses would make a difference? Many people have posted on these chatboards about ageism and who-you-know or who-you-are-related-to being key factors in whether you get a job. There are plenty of young, new ed. college grads who need jobs. Many have family members employed in school systems who will help them get jobs. This is your competition. I am certified in sped and secondary English and have been subbing for a long time. Sped is no longer a ticket to a job in my area. Other areas may differ. I just posted on the job seekers board with links to two areas that seem to be looking for teachers. Can you relocate? I would not incur student loan debt just on the off chance of getting a teaching job. And keep in mind that the more education you have the more expensive you may be to hire compared to a new grad with just a bachelor's degree. Sometimes you hear of older teachers getting their dream job with no age discrimination or nepotism problems, so it does happen. Are you subbing? Several teachers in a a school district where I used to sub told me that the district likes to hire people in their 20s, especially young men. If you are Latino or bi-lingual or can coach a sport, that would be an advantage.

On 8/18/13, Mary wrote: > I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching > job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with > Reading certification. I want to make myself more > marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get > certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. > Since there is no Middle School English chat board I'm > wondering if you could give me your opinion. Would I be a > more desirable candidate in a middle school with special ed > or English/Language Arts certification (in addition to my > current elementary and reading certifications). Thanks so > much. (By the way do you think my age will play a factor?).

Aug 18, 2013

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Retited Teacher On 8/18/13, Mary wrote: > I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching > job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with > Reading certification. I want to make myself more > marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get > certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. > Since there is no M...See More

Aug 22, 2013

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If I could just teach writing

by marjoryt

Aug 22, 2013

er Sara's comments: If I could just teach writing, here's what I'd do: 1) All reading is related to the writing. We don't read for literature - we read for content for writing assignments, or as example to emulate. We assign high interest but academically challenging texts - if possible related to their other courses. (Try teaching The Declaration ...See More

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i Pads

by Kaley

Aug 29, 2013

Are i Pads an effective electronic technology to use in English Classrooms? Have you ever had students use i Pads in the English Classrooms?

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Debbi On 8/29/13, Kaley wrote: > Are i Pads an effective electronic technology to use in > English Classrooms? Have you ever had students use i Pads > in the English Classrooms?

We have a 1 to 1 ipad program in my school. The students do everything on the ipad. They keep all of their notes, etc. on them. Overall, I think they are terrif...See More

Aug 29, 2013

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curiositycat We'll have an iPad cart in some pilot classroom starting this week. I'll be the English teacher using them. Here's the list of apps I've compiled. What do you app-savvy English teachers think? Am I missing anything critical for an English classroom? Thanks! Socrative Prezi Pages Keynote ShowMe Subtext Evernote Google Drive Haiku Deck iMovie Animoto...See More

Sep 8, 2013

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Technology in English Class

by Kelsey

Sep 1, 2013

In a high school English class, how could the teacher incorporate technology to have the students actively learning the material better than just with a lecture?

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Kathy If you have access to a SmartBoard, there are many activities you can do: word pair matching to create oxymorons Word sorting to create alliteration Creating Wordles of themes, poems, short texts (Gettysburg Address) to see repetition. Use quizlet to have students study

Create prezis, infographics, live binders, and cartoons. Use Jong to ...See More

Sep 1, 2013

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New to British literature - need suggestions

by Deanne

Sep 1, 2013

Hey, everyone!

I'm new to teaching literature, but am super excited about it and am looking to learn all I can. I have been assigned English 12 - British Literature.

What are some of your favorite pieces, ideas for activities and discussions, etc.

I appreciate all input. Thank you!

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marjoryt Rather than describe everything in detail, I'll offer quick notes, and then you can look up: 1) Anglo-Saxon - riddles and Dream of the Rood (look up Ruthwell Cross - kids like runes), find the prayer from Lindisfarne, there are some GREAT YouTube videos of the Lord's Prayer in AS 2) Take a look at Sir Gawain and the Green Knight for Middle English ...See More

Oct 9, 2013

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There's a FABULOUS movie version of Beowulf with Crispin Glover as Grendel and Angelina Jolie as his extremely sexy mother. Excellent cinematography, and it's a great lead-in to reading the story. Never thought I'd hear this from my students: "Ms. Crazy, we're doing Beowulf again today, right?"

Our seniors have to study British literary history; it's the assigned curriculum for that...See More

Nov 3, 2013

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