I've been sitting here, fingers above the keys, wondering if I should call this theme discussion a "debate." The reason for my hesitation? It's not a debate for me; in fact, it's a bit of a pet peeve when my students want to use one word to describe a theme. That's because for me the answer to the … [Read more...] about Theme: is it one word or a statement?
Reading, Writing & Awareness with Nonfiction
Despite the fact that our students are very connected to the online world, they are not always aware of what's happening outside of their own circle of snaps and texts. So, I decided to come up with a way to teach reading, writing, & awareness with nonfiction. I've been working to find ways … [Read more...] about Reading, Writing & Awareness with Nonfiction
Managing the Multi-Genre Project
The multi-genre project, as I wrote in my last post, is an amazing vehicle for critical thinking (Click here to read why). However, it can seem like a daunting task when you haven't done one before. I've tried it enough times that I have some suggestions to help you take on this project without … [Read more...] about Managing the Multi-Genre Project
3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Tired of the same old assessments? I might be able to help. Read on to get three reasons to use multi-genre projects with your secondary students. Multi-genre projects were introduced to me several years ago and, to be honest, I wasn't hooked on the idea at first. That was until I was finally … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Active Learning Strategy: Take it to the wall
One of my favourite strategies for student engagement involves paper, stickies and a wall. Usually, I give students a question or a task that requires critical thinking and have them brainstorm ideas that they write on chart paper or sticky notes. I love this strategy because not only does it get … [Read more...] about Active Learning Strategy: Take it to the wall
Teaching research skills: active learning
I know you've been there. You've taught the kids how to research. You've shown them how to embed quotations. You have given them piles of information on how to create a works cited page.And then you see their assignments. They are riddled with errors. Quotations are randomly inserted with no … [Read more...] about Teaching research skills: active learning
Teach theme with independent reading
"How do you teach theme with independent reading?" It's a question I get a lot when people are starting out with choice reading.Independent reading is such a gift for students. It allows students to choose books that they love and, as a result, creates more life-long readers. However, teachers can … [Read more...] about Teach theme with independent reading
Fall Writing for Secondary Students
Can you believe that tomorrow is October first? The school year, as it always does, is flying fast, and we're now smack dab in one of my favourite seasons: autumn. The air is crisp, my classroom expectations are established, and there are so many opportunities to inspire my writers. Let me tell you … [Read more...] about Fall Writing for Secondary Students
A Quick & Easy Skill-Building Activity for Analyzing Character
It's time to take a closer look at analyzing character in my classroom. We spent the first few weeks of reading workshop analyzing and experimenting with setting and point of view, and now I want my students to explore the ways that character is being developed in the novels they are … [Read more...] about A Quick & Easy Skill-Building Activity for Analyzing Character
Collaborative Poetry: “Where I am From” Poems
My twelfth grade class has been exploring the effect of word choice during our reading and writing workshop. They have written a number of journal entries that required them to experiment with diction, imagery and figurative language, and during my wanders and conferences, I've discovered a number … [Read more...] about Collaborative Poetry: “Where I am From” Poems
Lesson Plans for Reading and Writing Workshop
I'm excited to share this news with you. I've spent a lot of time this summer doing some detailed lesson planning to blend reading and writing workshop, complete with links to how all of the items in my bundles work together. My planning focused on how I would divide up my semester, weeks and … [Read more...] about Lesson Plans for Reading and Writing Workshop
Speaking and listening in your reading and writing workshop
If you follow this blog, you know that I'm a huge proponent of the workshop approach in my high school English class. For the past few years, I've used a combined reading and writing workshop with my tenth and twelfth graders, and it's been a constantly evolving process. Every semester I've tweaked … [Read more...] about Speaking and listening in your reading and writing workshop