Middle School / Jr. High Group

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Comment by Johnathan Chase on September 13, 2009 at 3:10pm

Check out this middle school learning activity that was inspired by President Obama's back-to-school speech ...

"My Education, My Future"

Comment by Pam Goble on September 13, 2009 at 3:04pm

Thanks, Kelly!!!

Comment by Kelly Farrow on September 13, 2009 at 2:57pm

NCTE's National Day on Writing is coming up! http://www.ncte.org/dayonwriting

FROM THE WEB SITE:
Writing is a daily practice for millions of Americans. But few notice how integral writing has become to daily life in the 21st century.

To draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in and help make writers from all walks of life aware of their craft, NCTE has established October 20, 2009, as the National Day on Writing.

To celebrate composition in all its forms, we are inviting diverse participants --students, teachers, parents, grandparents, service and industrial workers, managers, business owners, legislators, retirees, and many more -- to submit a piece of writing to the National Gallery of Writing.

Comment by Ryan Goble on September 11, 2009 at 1:54pm

Great article on non-fiction graphic novels including one about Katrina titled, "Journalists, Artists Tell Stories with Nonfiction Graphic Novels" can be found in the Graphic Novels group here.

Comment by Ryan Goble on September 3, 2009 at 4:21pm

Going back to this discussion - I know you might be a bit beyond this point BUT a great post today about using BitStrips with kids....

Back-to-School Fun: Students Creating Biographical Comic Strips

Comment by Janet Hirshberg on August 26, 2009 at 9:15am

These are very good questions. I have done some of the same things but used oral interview with students who have a more limited skill base.

Comment by Ryan Goble on August 23, 2009 at 8:57pm

JC and DV - thank you so much for sharing such cool ideas!

There are some funny posts that use twitter to teach history and literature during the year - see this blog and this post.

I'll throw my simple idea in the ring. I like to do surveys that ask kids about their favorite movies, films etc... This gives me something I can read right away and helps me quickly understand how well kids can communicate their ideas and interests. After they fill out the surveys I have them pair share (with a partner) then do peer introductions (share the most interesting detail about the person you pair shared with). Not as exciting as the other ideas but helpful to get a sense of the group fast AND find out what kind of stuff engages them.

1. Do you think it's important to study literature or debate? Y N
Why or why not (you know, explain your opinion)?

2. What are your 5 favorite movies?

3. If you read (magazines and shampoo bottles count), what are the last five things you read?

4. Think of the last cool class you had, why did you enjoy it?

5. Think of the last class you disliked, why did you dislike it?

6. What kind of stories do you like to read?

7. If you don't read, what would help you enjoy it more?

8. What things do you do outside of school? What are your extra-curricular activities?

9. What topics or things would you be interested in learning more about? Is there a book that you would like to read?

10. Who are your 5 favorite musicians?

11. What do you hope to get out of this class?

12. Do you like to write? If so, what? If not, why?

13. What is your favorite food? Your favorite color?

14. Where have you traveled? Where would you like to travel?

15. Who is your favorite actor or actress? Why?

16. Describe yourself in three words.

17. Do you have any questions for me? I will try to answer all of them!

Feel free to remix for your class/subject!

Good Luck on the first day!!!

Comment by Pam Goble on August 23, 2009 at 8:34pm

Both ideas are terrific. This will be so helpful this year to integrate new ideas. The tweet idea is good for the whole year.

Comment by Virginia Jones on August 23, 2009 at 8:11pm

Thank you both for the great ideas. I visited both of your home pages and am so impressed with your creativity.

Comment by Johnathan Chase on August 23, 2009 at 7:43pm

Like the "tweet" and Post-it ideas!

I just posted on my page a music video "Swim" that I will be using the first week of school to introduce a writing activity.

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