Let’s go from the top. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge. Does that scare you? Nah! Let me show you a section you can pull and teach to upper elementary they will love, be engaged, and be motivated to learn. Lines 71-119 focus on the section of the poem where the mariner shootsContinue reading “Classic Poetry for elementary grades.”
Category Archives: teaching themes
Can I use harder texts to teach younger grades?
Yes, you can. A few tips are needed to get it to be successful. Remember, use classic poems to reach DOK 2 and 3 for higher-order thinking skills. Try using an excerpt instead of a full text. When choosing an excerpt, be careful to cut out a section that has meaning, metaphorical connections, or themeContinue reading “Can I use harder texts to teach younger grades?”
And yet another social skill quote from famous readers of the past.
“He that respects himself is safe from others; he wears a coat of mail that none can pierce.” -Henry W. Longfellow The quote teaches common sense, social skills, integrity, and a little bit of history. Have studies examine what a “coat of mail” is and what the reader is to infer by it’s hidden meaning.Continue reading “And yet another social skill quote from famous readers of the past.”
Classic Fiction Quotes that Set of a Paired Text Unit Ideas
“I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which did not have something to say on women’s fickleness.” – C. Harvile, “But they were all written by men.” -Anne Elliot Oof! It seems that when a text is written by a female, perhaps the telling is different than by a man.Continue reading “Classic Fiction Quotes that Set of a Paired Text Unit Ideas”
Literature quotes aimed toward classic literature for the classroom
If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance. -George Bernard Shaw “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Dumas is one of my favorite “secret holder” books. Some of the best classics give the reader secret information about the family skeletons and you have the whole book toContinue reading “Literature quotes aimed toward classic literature for the classroom”
How do I have more DOK 2 and 3 in my lesson plans? From the first day of school or right where you are.
“I just don’t know how to do that!” Let me show you. Here a few examples and explanations and how-to’s. Create a paired unit. Having several in mind helps to create automatic questions where students are comparing and contrasting ideas, events, characters, plots, themes, etc. Remember not to go too basic in the middle schoolContinue reading “How do I have more DOK 2 and 3 in my lesson plans? From the first day of school or right where you are.”
Funny quotes to add to your lesson starters.
Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody. -Benjamin Franklin ************************************************************************************** Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. -Hebrews 13:2 The first quote is great for anytime a character inContinue reading “Funny quotes to add to your lesson starters.”
How many novels can be taught with the start of posting “Starry Night” by Van Gogh? Tons!
Paired units are not something new to teachers who have taught themed units all or most of their teaching career. We called them by the names current educational standards have need of, and we cater them to the level needed to be taught with upping the rigor, but they are still the same classic (orContinue reading “How many novels can be taught with the start of posting “Starry Night” by Van Gogh? Tons!”
Top 10 Poems to read at the start of Spring!
Kick off the season with motivating students to get outside more, exercise, play a sport, plant something, take flowers to mom, appreciate new growth and life, etc. 1.”Spring” by William Blake 2. “A Light Exists in Spring” by Emily Dickinson. 3. “Spring” by Rossetti 4. “The birds around me hopped and played, their thoughts IContinue reading “Top 10 Poems to read at the start of Spring!”
How can I add music to my ELA classroom? Poetry in Motion with the Blues.
Teaching poems by Langston Hughes, known for his early 20th century writings about life in African American culture during the times of the period often called the Harlem Renaissance, have distinctive rhythm and rhyme that can be sang to the beat of a blues song. B.B. King music is a great start. Listen to “HowContinue reading “How can I add music to my ELA classroom? Poetry in Motion with the Blues.”
ELA On The Move 