Teaching younger students excerpts of classic novels sets up a subconscious knowing of stories in their schema toolbox that lend to understanding higher texts in the future. The teacher is forced to teach the vocabulary for understanding. Character situations create complex story lines that stretch their minds beyond “The dog chased the cat…” For example,Continue reading “Teaching excerpts of classic novels to younger students. Why it is a good idea. “Treasure Island” activities included.”
Monthly Archives: March 2020
Monday Literature Spotlight-Poetry at specific times of the year
Teaching poetry is a ton of fun if you make it so. Starting off with song lyrics is always a great favorite. But timing is a great motivator as well. For instance, teach “Summer” by Walter Dean Myers just before school ends leading into summer. Here are some more. “Twas the Night Before School Starts”Continue reading “Monday Literature Spotlight-Poetry at specific times of the year”
When in doubt…read. Reading is the number one “schooling” if you need to know where to start.
Whether homeschooling or distance learning or learning to assign digital content…if you stick with reading material then you have not just a good start but also and great foundation. With the exception of extensive mathematics, all subjects can be taught. Websites like newsela.com and commonlit.com help any teacher assign articles and stories related to theirContinue reading “When in doubt…read. Reading is the number one “schooling” if you need to know where to start.”
April Fool’s quotes Gallery Walk Activity-Teaching Literal and Figurative Language through quotes
Analyze quotes for a better “less than fluff” activity for the holidays. Here are some April FOOL’s Quotes to make a poster gallery walk around your classroom. Introduce the activity by telling the students they will analyze quotes through time that said one thing and meant another meaning entirely. Introduce vocabulary first. Set: Students willContinue reading “April Fool’s quotes Gallery Walk Activity-Teaching Literal and Figurative Language through quotes”
Distance Learning FREE Novel “Fairy Tales of the Brother’s Grimm” Four Week Unit for online learning upper middle/high school
Teaching a novel or novella online is not as difficult when read.gov and gutenberg.org exist. For the following unit to be used in a upper elementary or middle school classroom, though can be adapted to high school if wanting to compare different versions to the originals, use read.gov to have the resource readily available toContinue reading “Distance Learning FREE Novel “Fairy Tales of the Brother’s Grimm” Four Week Unit for online learning upper middle/high school”
Distance Learning FREE Paired Text Week ELA Unit for High School online learning
Teaching online courses in high school does not have to be a re-invention of the wheel. Try using the short stories you planned to teach and use websites, videos, and tables to get higher order thinking taught flipped classroom style. Here is a lesson plan that can work for you. Tweak and scale to fitContinue reading “Distance Learning FREE Paired Text Week ELA Unit for High School online learning”
Introducing Texts with poems-“Still I Rise” and Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Introducing a text with a poem not only enables the teacher to add an additional text to the unit or theme being taught, it also helps to make connections between texts and apply to real world situations. For example, “Hope is a thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson or “Still I Rise” by Maya AngelouContinue reading “Introducing Texts with poems-“Still I Rise” and Grimm’s Fairy Tales”
Distance Learning FREE Fables/Poetry Two Week lesson plan for online teaching with higher DOK questions for upper elementary/middle school classes
Teaching online can be time consuming if you make it so…or make it meaningful content to a DOK 2 or higher level with a paired text unit of short texts. Here is a poetry/fable unit to help you get started making online ELA two-week long units at a time. Theme: Stay the course without lettingContinue reading “Distance Learning FREE Fables/Poetry Two Week lesson plan for online teaching with higher DOK questions for upper elementary/middle school classes”
Distance Learning Paired Text Short Story/Poem Two-Week FREE Unit
Introducing a text with a poem not only enables the teacher to add an additional text to the unit or theme being taught, it also helps to make connections between texts and apply to real world situations. For example, “Hope is a thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson or “Still I Rise” by Maya AngelouContinue reading “Distance Learning Paired Text Short Story/Poem Two-Week FREE Unit”
Distance Learning Poetry lesson Week UNIT for middle or high school-Here is a FREE Poetry lesson for you to use
Use poetryfoundation.org to assign poetry or close reading analysis found on online teacher-made videos all over the web. Here is a sample lesson using Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is a thing with feathers” paired with Aesop’s Fables “The Boy and the Nettles” The The Bat and the Weasels”. Lesson Plan: Set: Introduce Week Unit with theContinue reading “Distance Learning Poetry lesson Week UNIT for middle or high school-Here is a FREE Poetry lesson for you to use”
ELA On The Move 