Some teachers are afraid of using a workshop approach in high school, because it seems like too much of a free-for-all, without enough emphasis on targeting the specific skills that students need for literary analysis or writing. We're preparing them for post-secondary education, they say, so … [Read more...] about Using Mentor Sentences
Cultivating Critical Thinking in Your Classroom
Our ultimate purpose as high school teachers should be to make ourselves unnecessary. We want to show our students how to learn, even when we aren't there to help them. In order to do this we need to cultivate an environment where critical thinking is the norm. 1. SET UP LESSONS THAT ASK … [Read more...] about Cultivating Critical Thinking in Your Classroom
Decorating My Secondary Classroom: After
Well, I did my best, and I tried to spend as little money as possible. My classroom is ready to welcome my new students on Tuesday. I could't change the chipped dusty rose paint, the broken blinds or the mismatched chairs, but I did try to make it a more pleasant place to be.Just inside … [Read more...] about Decorating My Secondary Classroom: After
Decorating my Secondary Classroom: Before
The day has finally (and rapidly) arrived, the day that seemed so far away on June 30th, when the summer was sparkling ahead of me. It's back to school I go today, and I'm really not ready. Luckily, I have two days of meetings and a long weekend before I meet my new crop of students. … [Read more...] about Decorating my Secondary Classroom: Before
Technology in the Language Arts Classroom: Finding a Balance
I love technology and I love how it has opened up possibilities in my classroom. However, I will never give up some traditional ways of helping students learn.Let me take you back across a few decades to when I was in high school. I can clearly remember how I studied. First, I would read over … [Read more...] about Technology in the Language Arts Classroom: Finding a Balance
Choosing Great Books for Teens
Jennifer Goodson was the lucky winner of the classroom library giveaway, and she selected an amazing bundle of books that will arrive in her classroom later this week. Good luck, Jennifer, with your reader's workshop this year!I have The Beginning of Everything, I'll Give You the Sun and All … [Read more...] about Choosing Great Books for Teens
Back to School Giveaway!
We're about to start another round of back to school. Some of you are there already, but many of us are gearing up to go back after Labour Day. Regardless of when we start, we all want it to be our best best year ever. I know it's a crazy busy time for you, so I'd like to help by giving away a $25 … [Read more...] about Back to School Giveaway!
Most Important Things to Work on in the 1st Days of School
Note taking? Grammar? Close Reading? The elements of good writing? Nope. All of these are skills we will definitely get to, but they are not the most important things to work on in the 1st days of school. Instead, you should plan activities that create an environment for the learning that will … [Read more...] about Most Important Things to Work on in the 1st Days of School
ASSESSMENT AND SECONDARY WRITER’S WORKSHOP
On paper, writer's workshop is a great idea. Students have voice and choice. They work at their own pace, developing the skills they need as individuals. They engage in the process and in the end become much better writers. It all sounds so wonderful, but...is it a grading nightmare? Will you … [Read more...] about ASSESSMENT AND SECONDARY WRITER’S WORKSHOP
Planning a Secondary Writer’s Workshop Part Two
Yesterday, I posted some background on writer's workshop and today, as promised, I'm going to get into the nitty gritty of how I'm going to roll mine out this fall. I showed you the rough schedule below, but I wanted to add that there are many ways to organize this. For example, if you have long … [Read more...] about Planning a Secondary Writer’s Workshop Part Two
Planning Your Secondary Writer’s Workshop
Writer's workshop is an approach that puts the focus on the writing process, rather than on the end product. That does not mean that the finished piece of writing is not important; instead, students take responsibility for their development as writers and spend a great deal of time in class on the … [Read more...] about Planning Your Secondary Writer’s Workshop
Back to School, a Sale AND a Giveaway!
If you're like me, you have mixed feelings about back to school: you're excited to be back in the classroom again, but are dreading all of the grading and prepping that happens after hours. Developing engaging lessons takes time, time that you could be using for so many other things. That's … [Read more...] about Back to School, a Sale AND a Giveaway!