BHS Reads...Again

Over the years, while at my current high school, I have hosted a faculty book club.  This year, we just could not seem to find the time to meet, and those who usually joined in just did not seem interested or were too overloaded.  Stress!

But...I miss meeting and chatting about books, so I am going to attempt this endeavor again!  Yay!

This time, I am suggesting a monthly genre/topic and recommending a title.  Should they not want to read my suggested title, I am asking they bring their chosen book and talk it up.  (I foresee adding to my TBR pile!)

Here's a link to the list.

Please consider this an invite!  Yes, we can meet here in the comments on the last Monday evening of the month or via social media on Facebook in a group or Twitter.  After all, digitally speaking, this is quite the small world!

March's book is one recommended by a peer at school, one she is currently reading and has recommended a couple of times.  We both look forward to discussing Boundaries!  Fun!

Have a title recommendation?  Please share!  Enjoy!

In Light of Recent Events...

UPDATE:  Per request, I was not able to use this lesson plan.
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When a conversation begins with "In light of recent events...," my light darkens, for, most often, another change is coming, one based on a negative event.

True.  

Case in point...

In light of recent events surrounding the school shooting(s), I determined to provide an opportunity for my students to discuss the layers of this topic, for this topic is just too timely.  These "kids" are just on the brink of entering the "real world" as graduation is no longer a mere pin prick of light at the end of a seemingly long tunnel. This topic engages them, while bringing out strong emotions.  As I have told them, many times, we may discuss anything within these walls, as long as they bring evidence to support.  No just spouting out comments...most biased and full of fallacies and repeats of comments from recent conversations in their lives.  Must provide the evidence.  Then, we may discuss.  Like civilized adults.  Maybe.  Maybe?  Maybe?!  Hope so!

Since my students are bloggers, why not start there? Thus, this "create for the moment" lesson began to develop.  As my students commented on their peers' blog posts on their self-chosen topics...and as they reflected on quotes for Black History Month, these blog post topics began to type, type, type their way onto the lesson plan of the day:

• Feb. 23 - Part 1: As a young adult, as the future adults, what should be done to ensure the safety of your siblings, your nephews and nieces, your future children in public settings?
• Mar. 2 - Part 2: What should be done to better help those with mental health concerns?
• Mar. 9 - Part 3: What should be done to (or for) those who bully? For those who are bullied?
• March 15-16: Part 4: Socratic Circle to discuss this topic. Bring your thoughts and questions to the table.
• BUT remember!  ALL should be based on evidence.

No moans.  No groans.  Have them hooked.

Until the last two weeks, I have been providing the Article of the Week, but, as I shared with these groups of seniors, the responsibility is now placed on them to find the "valid and reliable" sources on which to base the blog posts.  For the remainder of these quickly passing weeks, they are to prove to me their have the knowledge and skills to base responses, questions, arguments on sound judgement...right during a time when "fake news" and rabid comments on social media accounts abound.

Now, the next step:  review jargon.

• bias
• fallacy
• claim
• counter-claim
• rebuttal
• open-ended questions

Maybe...just maybe...a light will be turned on, a light will burn brighter...just because we have chosen to focus on recent events.

More to come!

Engaging Students with Tech Tools

Throughout January and February, I have helped coordinate an online book club for the Arkansas Reading Association (yes, you are invited!), and, this past week, from Content-Area Writing That Rocks and Works by Rebecca Harper (who meets with us live on Facebook!  Yes, cool!), I have modified and incorporated a couple of her strategies described in her book.  Fun!

Discussion Dialogue

Instead of my choosing an article of the week, I asked each student to find a "valid and reliable" source, to write a post, ending it with open-ended questions to encourage an intentional discussion with the five other bloggers who will be his/her audience.  They seemed to appreciate choosing their own articles. (Assignment here.)

Next week, during blog time, each will read and comment on the five blogs below his/her name on the class blog list, checking in again from time to time to continue the discussion and to respond to questions.  This, too, they seem to be excited about!  Yay!

Twitter Chatter

For this assignment, I created a table four columns wide with 8-10 rows on a Google Doc.  Through Google Classroom, each received an editable copy of the doc.  I paired the students.  The first student in the pair was in charge of sharing his/her doc with the pairee and initiating the discussion, which preceded down the column and then moved to the next column during which I gave them about five minutes to chat...with no talking allowed across the room between the paired students.

As one senior football player described, "This is fun."

Over the next couple of weeks, each pair will continue their Twitter Chatter, further encouraging discussion about To Kill a Mockingbird (sophomores) and The Crucible (seniors).  Yes!

Please share!  What tech tools are you using to better convey the skills and knowledge you want your students to master?  I would love to hear from you!

ARA's 1st Annual Online Literacy Conference

The 1st...is over.  Finished.  Wow.  The day just flew by.

Now...you should mark you calendars...and I promise I will do a so-much better job informing you about next year's!

What a fun day!  This was my first online conference.  As a coordinator and presenter, I was afforded the opportunity to view this platform from all angles.  What a fun day!  Oh!  I already conveyed that! 

Meeting online with our attendees were Jennifer Buehler, Kami Butterfield, Katie Garner, Rebecca Harper, Brian Jones, Jen Jones, and Alyson Low.  Amazing!  They each pre-recorded a 20 minute video and then met for 30 minutes following with the participants via a chat room style discussion.  Such a powerful day!

Now...for this fall's conference!  YES!  YOU are invited to the Arkansas 46th Annual Literacy Conference on November 15-16.  Much planning has begun...and to be released very shortly!  AND  you may receive a discount to attend as I relay more and more details...with a CODE I will share with JUST YOU!

FALL 2018 Literacy Conference:  Who will be presenting?!  Ready?!

• Penny Kittle - yay!  Yes!  Excited!
• Cynthia Lord 
• William Meyer
• The above three?  They have all agreed to host a book for our ARA Online Book Club!  More info here!
• That list of speakers for the online?!  Most of those have contracted to present at the fall conference!

For ARA, I am their publicity chair...so I will share as I know!

Please consider joining us for book club...and the fall conference!  More info soon!