New-comer...  I teach Jr. High Technology, and am getting a masters in Educational Technology.  My classes opened my eyes to the multitude of benefits of blogging, so here I am. 

An early holiday gift for teachers looking for a film-based extended writing activity to focus their students during the week before Christmas break...

It's a Wonderful Life

Hi, middle school teachers! Dr. Diane Heacox (associate professor of Education at St. Cate's in St. Paul, MN) is doing a webinar this Thursday, March 10 at 3pm CST: Defensible Differentiation: Succeeding in Academically Diverse Classrooms. This webinar is for beginners AND those of you who are already differentiating instruction in the classroom.  http://www.freespirit.com/Webinars

Thanks!

Elena Meredith, Free Spirit Publishing

Thanks, Elena.

I use her text for my classes.

Pam

Watered down Shakespeare?

My 8th grade classes read Hamlet every year. The whole thing. Then we pick a genre/style and adapt it, to perform. This year Hamlet went Hip-Hop and they did an awesome job. They "got it" and were excited to make backdrops, simple props and think about how the plot would unfold now.

We also study the Odyssesy, although we don't read the whole thing, in preparation for reading Watership Down. I read them Chapter 31 - "The Story of El-ahrairah and the Black Rabbit of Inle",  in class, today. They were on the edge of their seats and jumped when the bell rang.

Of course we read YA lit as well. I have a very diverse room, on the border, in southwestern Arizona. It ranges from very well-off students, to kids crossing the border who may be having their first experience in an English speaking classroom. I find it's my attitude and presentation of the material that determines how they view it. Well, there are always a few who don' t care, no matter what.

My point? Don't be afraid to try the "hard stuff" if you love it and can relay that in a way they can relate to, they'll give you a chance.

Hey MC Poppers,

Any middle school teachers using iPads in the classroom? We just released an iPad app, Be Confident in Who You Are: A Middle School Confidential Graphic Novel, based on our MSC book series by Annie Fox. It is a fictional story of six kids in middle school and covers social-emotional topics such as self-esteem and bullying. Good discussion points.

I'm looking for a teacher who would be willing to try it out with their students and give us feedback. I have a free promo code for the first teacher who is interested.

Thanks!

Elena Meredith

Free Spirit Publishing

Was thinking about creating a website/ page for class this year. Has anyone ever done this, with success? I have no idea which one to choose. Have been looking at others created by teachers. They all look easy to create....but probably are not. Suggestions?? Please!! :)

Tracey,

I use edublogs.org as a website/blog for my classroom.  I know some teachers use Google.  If you sign up to use Google Docs, etc., there is an option to create your own website.

I hope this helps.

Melissa

Dear Ms. Ganias,

Another way of making learning relevant would be to ask students to create a comic strip about something they are learning or that is very relevant to their personal experiences.  The act of creating graphics filled with text becomes a very creative experience for students that also helps make learning a joy.  We've just set up a new page at MakeBeliefsComix.com, a free educational resource, to encourage students to create daily comix strips about what they learn and experience which you can view at: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Daily-Comix-Diary/

Enjoy!

Bill Zimmerman

If you're like most diligent teachers, you remain alert for visual aids to help you design lessons thata will inspire your students to expand their thinking and that will invite them to use a range of ways to show what they're learning. The verb wheel below is one that you could share with your students and ask them to choose products and performances that will show how much they're learning about the topics and skills you're required to teach.

In the days ahead, you'll be looking for ways to align your lessons with COMMON CORE STANDARDS, you'll want to include as much choice as you can to retain students engagements while meeting the curriculum goals you're charged to reach each school year.  This wheel can help you and your students.

As students consider the options and write the rationales for their choices, they may be thinking more deeply about the subject matter than they would if you already have done all the hard work of designing assessment assignments.  Moreover, when students do the choosing, they're more likely to give more time and thought to completing the assignment well, thus making it more interesting for you to read, view, and grade.

Love these!!! Thank you and I am going to use these for our teachers.

Hi Anna - I just caught this - you might post it up in the discussion forum so it can be archived with a URL!

Congrats!!!

What technology do students have access to in class, in the building?  How frequently?  What subject(s) do you teach?  Answers will help us tailor our recommendations.

Just curious. I am thinking about using The Misfits in my classroom this year.  I was wondering if anyone who has used this was given any grief by parents or administrators about there being a gay character in the book. I teach in a more rural area so I am a little concerned.

Kathy, I've only read the summary of the book and think it would be an interesting one to read in the guided setting of a classroom.  Since it's summer, why not ask your adminstrator(s) to read the book before you decide to add it to your reading list for next year.  Sometimes when they have the opportunity to read the book without the pressure of a parent for a decision, adminstrators see the value of the literary work and can develop a set of responses to support and defend your decision to teach what could be a controversial book. If nothing more occurs, those reading it will be more aware of issues middle school students face.

Hi, I'm not sure if I'm posting in the correct place, so forgive me, but I used Misfits when I taught 7th and 8th as a read aloud and it was everyone's favorite read aloud of the year, every year! I sent a letter home to parents and told them about the characters and explained why I thought it was important to read the book as a read aloud, and that I would have several discussions throughout the book. I only had a few parents with concerns, but once we talked about it (and they read it) they were fine with it. It's a wonderful book and should be in everyone's hands. I LOVE it! Cheers, Hilary

Kathy,

 I use the novel in my grad class. I don't use it in my 8th grade class, but it is on my bookshelf. Certain topics still are not well received. The practicing teachers in my class consistently feel that they would not use the book in class, but would use it as a read aloud or choice book. 

The book is a conversation starter and is excellent. Hilary's suggestion is perfect.

I love the book and it has been a perfect lit circle choice for the grad Adolescent Development class.

Good luck,

Pam

I taught the Misfits at the beginning of this year and will do so again next year. It is a great novel, and my administration was supportive of the themes and characters, so much so they invited James Howe to speak! I think that the image presented in The Misfits is fairly well done and the identities of the characters a reality in the world of these kids, so no controversy came up. I will admit though that the less mature kids were a bit awkward.

People think it is an easy book to work with; it is not.  It is much deeper than its Seinfeld set of characters. Its complexity is what makes it a great book.  The setting is also of interest to my grad students.

Pam, What do you think about using it with a group of 13-14 year old reluctant readers.  Many are on IEP's and most are below grade level readers. This will be my first year as an Intervention Specialist working with my own reading class. I was thinking about this book or the Red Kayak.  I want to find something engaging and interesting for them to read.  My guess is it will be predominately boys. Someone suggested Uglies, but so far it doesn't hold my interest.

Will respond more later, Red Kayak is a tremendous read, too. Very engaging and the dilemma is upsetting.

Tangerine is another amazing book for boys.

Will respond more later.

Hi Kathy, Pam and everyone else - I've been out a few weeks as I was in the hospital for my final surgery so I haven't been doing as much moderation as I normally would do. Obviously, using the wall for discussion is awesome but it is even "awesomer" to post questions like the Misfits one above in the discussion forum as a crowdsource question (or even in the YA Lit group discussion forum) that way I can broadcast the question to the WHOLE ning AND it has a dedicated URL for "the next teacher" to find it in the future.  No biggie - just something to keep in mind! Wall discussion gets buried over time :(

Hello there!

I am teaching a Language Arts / Social Studies humanities blend class for sixth graders and our district's curriculum requires that we focus on Ancient River Civilizations. Does anybody have any ideas for readings other than Gilgamesh? Not like ancient river civilizations had a ton of literature, but any suggestions are much appreciated!

John 

John, consider myths - Greek and Roman, as well as the river as a metaphor for journey. This would be a good time to invite students to consider issues of ecology, considering the fact that Egyptian life depended on the flooding of the Nile.  In what ways are contemporary people dependent on the waterways/rivers in the country. 

As students look at the kinds of social issues that arose in ancient river civilizations, ask them to consider similarities to issues that arise today.  Have students select current events and decide how ancient laws would be used to address them.  This could be a way to practice debate skills.

In other, you may have to read on ancient texts.  Instead use the historical issues raised in their social studies class as basis for considering current issues - literally or metaphorically.

Another idea is to look at the art of ancient river civilizations and invite students to "view" it and write poems that reveal students response to the art.

Oh yes, HUMAN    I     TIES.  Each of us - the "I" is tied to humans past and present.

Just a few ideas from the way our middle school teachers taught humanities.

Enjoy!

It was recommended that I post here an illustrated anthology of stories for middle schoolers called "Stuck in the Middle: 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age" edited by Ariel Schrag. (http://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Middle-Comics-Unpleasant-Age/dp/0670062219)  Some of the stories are rough, but others are great!