Posted on Thu, Mar 29, 2012
Pickle is one of Kathryn Erskine’s favorite words, and I don’t blame her-it’s a great word to say! However, that’s not the only word that Kathryn knows- she’s also details a few favorite words and their fascinating origins in this video interview.
I met Erskine in person when she was speaking at the Virginia English Teachers Conference (VATE) this past November. Kathryn is a great author who writes both historical and contemporary fiction, and her books are enjoyable and inspiring reads.
I highly recommend you check her out, and consider scheduling a keynote or Skype visit with her, as we met for the first time on Skype when she talked virtually at my Ohio English Teachers Conference (OCTELA). She is definitely a great author to hear present, as I have had the privilege twice now!
I hope you enjoy my author interview; for more on Kathryn Erskine, check out her website:
KathrynErskine.com
Kathryn Erskine Facebook
Follow Kathryn Erskine on Twitter
Common Core Standards that Kathryn Erskine’s Interview Supports:
Writing Standard 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
Writing Standard 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate
Writing Standard 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Posted on Mon, Mar 26, 2012
Check out the "Word of the Week" on iWords
It's hard to believe that March is almost over. With April approaching, it's time to start preparing mentally for the "Spring Fever". I've found that April is when my students have the hardest time staying motivated! Do you find yourself experiencing something similar? (I hope I'm not the only one!)
One "Ingenious Idea" that can help keep the momentum going in your classroom is integrating lesson plans with fun and educationally relevant holidays and events! Sometimes it's the day-to-day celebrations that inspire me to create unique activities that will challenge and motivate my students. Teacher Vision has incredible calendar resources that will assist in keeping even your most reluctant students working through the end of the school year!
Note that April 10th is Encourage a Young Writer Day
Another idea that may help keep your students motivated is starting a classroom app forum or bulletin board. Have students share their favorite apps for studying or encourage them to download a free education app and write a short paragraph discussing the pros and cons.
If you're looking for a word-based app, check out Wurdle! Despite being geared for grownups, Wurdle is a find-and-trace crossword game that can build reading and spelling skills in kids.
Posted on Thu, Mar 22, 2012
(Grades 2-12+) Recently updated with a "Bracket Battle" worksheet for those of you who don't want to play March Madness in November :)
It’s March Madness time everywhere-from the weather to the hoops. While I’m not the biggest sports fan, I still want to get in on the bracket fun because it’s a great way for students to review vocabulary!
My idea is to have students fill out brackets for vocabulary words –and let them decide the “ultimate vocabulary word” in the categories of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I like that students learn their vocabulary autonomously as they each control their own bracket completely; their winner is based solely on their use of the words in sentences.
To play, give all students 3 brackets (one for nouns, one for verb, and one for adjectives) and have them fill in the far left 8 spaces with vocabulary words that are that specific part of speech. The words they fill in can be on the current vocabulary list, a mix of old and new words-whatever words you want them to review. Please remind them that each bracket can only have words that are THAT specific part of speech, and, if they are working with one specific vocabulary unit, they may need to use a few old words to complete their charts if there are less than eight words for a specific part of speech.
Next-have students write one sentence using both of the two words in each initial faceoff. For example, if the first bracket has “admonish” against “commandeer,” students should write a sentence using both words, and in that sentence, highlight why one of the words is greater than the other. Example: Although admonished, he commandeered the lead anyway and sailed on to victory! (commandeered wins the first round).
Note: WHY one word defeats another is arbitrary and up to the students; as long as students are using the vocabulary words correctly in sentences, they can determine the winner for any reason. The subjects of the sentences can be anything; students can even write about basketball teams if that makes the vocabulary bracket more engaging to complete. The goal is to help students with their vocabulary building skills, and the ways each student contrasts the words should not matter, as long as their context is correct!
Once students have written sentences for the initial duels, they should then write sentences using the winners of each competition-again, for each pairing, have a sentence that uses both words and highlights one word dominating the other.
Once students complete their brackets and have a final “vocabulary winner” in each part of speech category, they should turn in their sheets. Once you have collected all students’ brackets, you can see which word in each part of speech was found to be the ‘winner’ most frequently, and give all students who picked that word a prize, or put their names on a big basketball in recognition, etc. You can decide how to reward students, but I would hang all the brackets up for students to compare and perhaps even have multiple winners-most creative use of words, best illustrated bracket, best use of short sentences, best use of puns in sentences-whatever categories you and your students can create!
I’ve read about March Madness brackets being used for poetry and short story analysis, so the options for English teachers are limitless-ultimately, it’s all about engaging students in reading, writing and interpretation! Hopefully this will be another fun vocabulary resource at your disposal each time March Madness comes around.
Common Core Standards:
Writing Standard 1. Write arguments to support claims, using valid reasoning and evidence.
Writing Standard 10. Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Tue, Mar 20, 2012
Tonight’s #Engchat was about Project Based Learning-a subject I need to devote more time to learning about and facilitating in my own classroom. I got lots of great ideas thanks to the night’s leaders Gwyneth Jones –aka the Daring Librarian (@gwynethjones) and Nicholas Provenzano-aka the Nerdy Teacher (@thenerdyteacher).
The Daring Librarian (@gwynethjones) suggested a ton of resources! Here are two of my favorites: Tools For Project-Based Learning and Ideas for Using Google and Youtube in the Classroom
John Carman Zoccolas (@johncarmanz) gave the link to a PDF entitled: Work that Matters: A Teachers Guide to Project Based Learning-awesome!
Cathy Brophy (@brophycat) has two great links for the basics of project based learning: Introduction to Problem Based Learning and Problem-based learning (PBL) is an exciting alternative
Engaging Educators (@engaginged) and Mary Ann Reilly (@MaryAnnReilly) both suggested the Apple website for challenge based learning.
Corrie Kelly (@corriekelly) shared a great article about why Academic Choice –and therefore project based learning- is important in elementary classrooms (applicable to all grade levels!).
Where The Class (@wheretheclass) suggested introducing project based learning assignments using documentary trailers. They suggested their website which has several documentary trailers embedded.
Meenoo Rami (@mrami2), shared an awesome rap video for The Great Gatsby that her students produced-a great example of a project based learning activity!
Finally, a few great thoughts on Project Based Learning: Dana Huff (@danamhuff) Project-based learning is authentic assessment; it’s not essential that it be a group/collaborative assignment
Shaelynn Farnsworth (@shfarnsworth): PBL does not "choose" learning - it provides choice, relevance and engagement w/ embedded skills
Daniel Dawer (@Dan_Dawer) I try to bring in community experts to assess projects. College history students helped me judge student research posters.
Corrie Kelly (@corriekelly) summed up the reason for project based learning by saying simply: After all, we're teaching them to be successful, productive citizens, not productive test-takers.
Posted on Mon, Mar 19, 2012
Check out the "Word of the Week" on iWords
World Poetry Day is March 21st! Encourage your students to write poems using vocabulary words and get in on the World Poetry Day fun. To help assist you in celebrating World Poetry Day, here are two ingenious ideas that can get students excited about writing poetry.
The Magnetic Poetry website is a fun resource where students can create a poem or story using a provided word bank. After creating a poem students can save their creations or email them to a friend (or teacher!) As a teacher, you will appreciate that Magnetic Poetry offers various word banks tailored to reading levels- Check out FirstWords, Kids, and Original
Shape Poems is a simple poem generation template that can help get students interested in writing poems. The Shape Poem generator provides four categories that may pique interests! Once students have chosen a category, Shape Poems guides students to identify words that associate with their chosen shape. Once they've completed their Shape Poem, students can save, listen or print their creation.
How will you be celebrating World Poetry Day? Do you have an ingenious ideas?
Posted on Thu, Mar 15, 2012
John Green-wow! I was exhilarated to sit down with John at the ALAN workshop back in November for a quick interview. He is one popular fellow who seems to do it all- an award-winning & prolific author, incredibly popular vlogger (video blogger), leader of the Nerdfighters,* -overall, he’s pretty awesome.
John’s deadpan humor and quirky insights are highlighted in this quick interview, and he will give you some new reasons to learn your vocabulary & gain an erudite lexicon!
Thanks John for the interview and hello fellow Nerdfighters! Enjoy!
*A Nerdfighter is, according to the Urban Dictionary, “a person who is proud to be nerdy and intelligent, and who fights to decrease WorldSuck. Nerdfighters are not composed of cells and tissue, but instead made entirely of awesome.”
John Green has an amazing web presence! Here are a number of links that will keep you entertained and inspire you to raise nerdy to the power of awesome.
John Green on Facebook
Follow John Green on Twitter
Check out John Green's Tumblr "for a drizzle/hurricane metaphor"
Join the Nerdfighters and subscribe to Vlog Brothers!
Forthcoming John Green Book Signings, Nerdfighter Gatherings, and Events
Learn more about John Green!
Common Core Standards:
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Related Posts:
Sara Zarr
Ned Vizzini
Posted on Tue, Mar 13, 2012
This week’s #engchat was on one of my favorite topics – multigenre research papers! I had the good fortune to attend a NWP multigenre workshop class led by multigenre guru himself, Tom Romano; it was a tough and amazing two weeks, and I gained a vast quantity of resources and knowledge about the process and the product. Last night’s #engchat was also enlightening -especially from a resources standpoint. Here are the highlights:
The chat was led by Glenda Funk (@gmfunk) who has a great blog post about her multigenre project process with students: Multigenre Inquiry Project Engchat
As always, the ever fabulous Jerry Blumengarten (@cybraryman1) has many links to multigenre project ideas on his writing page (scroll down halfway on the right to find the heading “Multigenre”):
John Carman Zoccola (@johncarmanz) posted some links to example multigenre projects… and a list of genres!
Vanessa Alander (@mrsalander) linked to a great assignment sheet that has all the information a teacher needs to start a multigenre project!
My new favorite twitter buddy, Sarah (@thereadingzone), who teaches at a STEM school, has her 9th graders working on Free Form Friday, a version of the multigenre project based on Google’s 20% time. Here is her blog about it!
Finally, #engchat leader Meenoo Rami (@mrami2) summed it up best: Multigenre projects allow students more agency in how they want to show learning.
Well said and great resources everyone-thanks!
Posted on Mon, Mar 12, 2012
Check out the "Word of the Week" on iWords
VocabSushi is an interactive Website where students can go to learn vocabulary and have fun doing it. This is a great resource to share with students who are preparing for standardized tests!
Quizlet is a flashcard creation service that offers a wide range of flashcard studying options! With Quizlet, students can play games using their sets of flashcards instead of just learning from rote memorization.
Posted on Thu, Mar 08, 2012
Grades 3-12
In the small town where I teach, the local paper runs a “Teen of the Week” article about a promising senior every Friday. I am often interviewed as to my thoughts on said teen, and while I love seeing some of my students being celebrated, I can’t help but wish that everyone got a chance to be the “Student of the Week.
So my newest vocabulary strategy is to merge newspaper editorial writing with vocabulary instruction by having all of my students write their own celebratory articles.
To begin this writing assignment, have students list their hobbies, interests, accomplishments, goals (possibly specify goals in education, activities, athletics, career, etc), activities, community service roles, leadership opportunities, favorite school subjects, jobs held (if applicable) etc. I might give them 2-3 minutes to think of all possible ideas.
Next, explain that they will get to write about themselves and celebrate who they are and what they have done! Their homework for the night (or the next few nights) is to talk about themselves with their friends/family members/mentors/coaches, etc. and brainstorm any other accomplishments/goals/awards/roles they have not already listed on their paper.
Students should also gather at least one quote from an adult about why they are great. Perhaps show students a few sample articles so they have a sense of what they will be writing. You can go here to see the ones from my town!
The next day (or a few days later), have students comb through their vocabulary lists for words that describe themselves and their activities/goals/awards etc. This way, they already have a word bank before they start writing.
Once students have gathered their lists of accomplishments, a quote or two from adults about their greatness, and a vocabulary list, they can start writing their Student of the Week article. See my handout with instructions and a rubric!
What I like best about this fun vocabulary activity is that not only does it improve students’ writing skills, it can also boost their self-esteem, especially for students who may not see themselves as Student of the Week-type candidates. The more they can explore what makes them unique, hopefully the more they can learn to see their own potential. Plus, who doesn’t like using big words to describe themselves?
Common Core Standards:
Writing Standard 2. Write informative/explanatory texts through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Language Standard 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Tue, Mar 06, 2012
Monday’s #Engchat was all about helping students with research skills-a topic that remains challenging no matter what the grade level.
I loved literacy expert Kylene Beers’ thought that the “biggest challenge w/ research: Kids research a topic & not a problem. If start w/ problem they identify, engagement goes up.” -@KyleneBeers
Note: I was so excited when she retweeted my response to her message about my “Change the World” research project where my students identify a problem in their school/community, research it, then present a solution to the problem to someone who can make a difference-the city mayor/our principal etc. E-mail me if you want details!
Lots of educators had other great research teaching ideas and sites to share:
Meenoo Rami suggested:
-Excellent lesson plan for research from readwritethink: ow.ly/9tham
-Helpful interactive research tutorial from Rutgers, have used w/ my former students: ow.ly/9thlB -@mrami2
Jerry Blumengarten has a whole page devoted to quality educational sites about research: tinyurl.com/3l6dspm -@cybraryman1
Kerry Kitka from the company, Easy Bib, who hosted last night’s chat, suggested several links on his website including the site’s writing guide that might give students some good ideas on how to start ow.ly/9thiI -@Kerry_EasyBib
Sarah from The Reading Zone, has some great resources on teaching the multi-genre research paper (one of my favorite research paper styles). She also suggested the use of TED talks for teaching students about research. Thanks Sarah! thereadingzone.wordpress.com -@thereadingzone
Where The Class had a great idea about starting students off with NYT’s room for debate. bit.ly/ttUgp7 -@wheretheclass
Amy Rasmussen also had a good point that it is “effective to use literary nonfiction to show that authors actually write extended research papers. Makes process more engaging.” -@AmyRass
Always insightful, Bradley Zakarin, suggested, “ Instead of ‘give credit where credit is due,’ I say ‘get credit for giving credit.’ Turns around the incentive.” -@bzeducon
Finally, Kylene Beers ended the night as well as she started it, by stating “When students see relevance of work, they see reasons to work.” @KyleneBeers
Happy researching everyone!
Common Core:
Writing Standard 1. Write arguments to support claims, using valid reasoning and evidence.
Writing Standard 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions
Writing Standard 8. Gather relevant information from multiple sources, assess the credibility of each source, and integrate the information
Posted on Thu, Mar 01, 2012
I want to bring Allan Wolf to my school-his energy and enthusiasm are catching. Not only is he is a great writer who can discuss all the books he’s written for kids and teens, but he’s also an awesome performance poet who can lead writing workshops!
After meeting Allan Wolf at NCTE this fall and getting his autograph for my students who loved his enthralling novel-in-verse Zane’s Trace, I picked an audiobook copy of his newest poetic novel The Watch That Ends the Night about the sinking of the Titanic. I was astonished at all the information I learned while listening to the novel, and also how much I enjoyed his writing style with the 24(!) different characters he created in weaving his story (see my audiobook review here)
Allan’s thoughts on the power of words gave me goosebumps, because his message is about how much lexicon can transform one’s emotions and one’s state of mind-WOW! I know words are power, but he extrapolated upon that statement in a way I never could.
I hope you enjoy this author interview as much as I do, and can use it as an excellent vocabulary resource.
Common Core Standards:
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 9. Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge