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Need help with teaching ideas for a rotation class of middle school (5th. - 8th.) students for 6 weeks at a time. I have thought of Readers' Theater. Problem is that they come to me just after been scheduled from having an hour of silent reading.
by reading teacher
Sep 2, 2010
Has anyone used this program? What is the necessary frequency? Pros/cons?
by newMSteacher
Sep 4, 2010
I've been reading poems with my 6th grade classes several times a week, and have gotten some comments from my students about certain poems being "racist." Our school and my classes are diverse - about 25% white; 20% african-american; 20% asian; 20% hispanic; and 15% mixed-race, arabic, indian, pacific islander, etc. I'm white, and the students who ...See MoreI've been reading poems with my 6th grade classes several times a week, and have gotten some comments from my students about certain poems being "racist." Our school and my classes are diverse - about 25% white; 20% african-american; 20% asian; 20% hispanic; and 15% mixed-race, arabic, indian, pacific islander, etc. I'm white, and the students who have objected have been african-american.
The first time it came up was the first week of school when we read Ronald Wallace's "You Can't Write a Poem About McDonald's":
Noon. Hunger the only thing singing in my belly. I walk through the blossoming cherry trees on the library mall, past the young couples coupling, by the crazy fanatic screaming doom and salvation at a sensation-hungry crowd, to the Lake Street McDonald's. It is crowded, the lines long and sluggish. I wait in the greasy air. All around me people are eating— the sizzle of conversation, the salty odor of sweat, the warm flesh pressing out of hip huggers and halter tops. When I finally reach the cash register, the counter girl is crisp as a pickle, her fingers thin as french fries, her face brown as a bun. Suddenly I understand cannibalism. As I reach for her, she breaks into pieces wrapped neat and packaged for take-out. I'm thinking, how amazing it is to live in this country, how easy it is to be filled. We leave together, her warm aroma close at my side. I walk back through the cherry trees blossoming up into pies, the young couples frying in the hot, oily sun, the crowd eating up the fanatic, singing, my ear, eye, and tongue fat with the wonder of this hungry world.
One boy, an african-american, said he was offended by the line "her face brown as a bun," and several students agreed. It caught me off guard, and we discussed why they felt that way. I said I respected their opinions, but also asked how they could know the author wasn't talking about a tanned, white counter girl? I asked if it would have been racist for the author to describe someone's face as "white as snow," they said no, because comparing someone's face to a bun was insulting.
Then, this past week we read Langston Hughes' "Dream Variations." They didn't know who Langston Hughes was, and before I told them about his background, the same students said this poem was also "racist." When I explained that the author himself was african-american and clarified the context of the time in which he wrote it, they said that it wasn't racist, but still seemed unsure. We took most of the class discussing their concerns and questions.
I don't want to feel like I have to avoid any literature that mentions skin color, but this is my first year at this school (and my first year teaching 6th grade), and if kids go home telling their parents that I'm making them read "racist" poems and stories it could turn into a really difficult situation. How would you deal with this?
Teachers,I am curious about how you teach the writing process. After studetns have been given an open-ended prompt, what are the steps you have them take prior to beginning the first draft. Thank you.
The assignment was to make an ABC book for Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The product was gorge, and from a student who has done nothing yet this year. I feel bad that I'm suspicious, but I'm suspicious. I've looked online and not found anything. Does anyone know of any examples I could check? Thanks.
by Firstgardefun
Sep 14, 2010
I have found some great second and fourth grade trifolds for the Treasures series. Does anyone have first grade trifolds or know where I can find them? Thank you.
by for Middler schoolers
Sep 15, 2010
My kids are lying on their book written book talks. Admin isn't springing for AR because of budget cuts. Do you have any ideas on how to monitor 115 kids on their reading comprehension on their free reading books? They must read about 16 books a year.
THANKS!!!!
Our district has adopted the Pearson Reading program and has begun to implement it in most schools. Teachers are having a difficult time with the scripted lessons. Any comments, pro or con? Did your district's reading scores improve? Thanks, Kathy
by MissJones
Sep 19, 2010
I decided to use spiral notebooks in my class this year. 2 weeks into the year and a few activities later I was having a conversation with a Science teacher about HER interactive notebooks and I realized "Hey, that's what I'm doing!" I just didn't have a name for it. Naturally, now that I know that what I'm doing is a 'real thing' I'm in search of ...See MoreI decided to use spiral notebooks in my class this year. 2 weeks into the year and a few activities later I was having a conversation with a Science teacher about HER interactive notebooks and I realized "Hey, that's what I'm doing!" I just didn't have a name for it. Naturally, now that I know that what I'm doing is a 'real thing' I'm in search of resources or ideas to spring from, but everything I find is related to History (the notebooks were started by History Alive program) and Science.
Do any of my brilliant Reading, Writing, Literature, or Language Arts teachers use Interactive notebooks? OR Do you have any resource sites? If so, please share. Thanks!
If you're not familiar and want some general information here's some info... [link removed]
((I've even found myself tagging along and going to the SCIENCE professional developments.... lol just so I can get more info!!))
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On 9/01/10, Rog Barton wrote: > I am a Reading Specialist at an urban school. I have Baroque > music streaming on my computer every day in ev...See More