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!

The Tradition Continues

2018 is off to a busy start!  Right?!  Back to school.  New/old units to be created.  Students to nudge along.  Weather forecasts to be studied and analyzed...often...in case a snow day might occur! 

This semester, I am excited to teach two core texts, while, not new, have not been in my list of potential texts:  To Kill a Mockingbird and The Crucible.  Both moved to accommodate changing curriculum maps and missing gaps.

Traditionally, To Kill a Mockingbird has been taught in junior high.  This year, though, we moved it to grade 10.  The kiddos are quick to tell me they have read this one.  I am quick to respond, "Good!  BUT you have never read it like I am going to lead us through this text!" 

Focusing on the power of the story, the students are researching myths, legends, folk tales, and tall tales of our area and learning the impact of each.  Just as the myths about Boo Radley had quite the impact!  The goal:  to compile and publish this collection.  Fun!

As for The Crucible, which has returned to grade 11 curriculum, this one is a one-time placement for grade 12...or they will have missed having this one in their background knowledge.  This time, the students and I are focusing on the impact of fake news...then and in the 1950's and definitely now!

Both of these texts were/are being used to also bring increased awareness to the stance that Martin Luther King took, as we approach his day of recognition:

• To Kill a Mockingbird:  MLK and Atticus Finch, one more successful than the other, both working to increase awareness.  While TKM is fiction, the impact of this novel over time, arguably, has stood the test of time, impacting many as we study, as we re-read, as we chatter.  "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."(Lee 243).  So true...yes, that skin...just skin deep, isn't it?
• The Crucible:  MLK and Abigail Williams...as outliers, both bringing attention to a situation, a crisis...yet one positive, one negative...but both accomplishing gaining the attention during the negative.

This is how I incorporate the holidays right into the current curriculum.  Granted, I waste time in class (even though I am determined to work them from bell to bell...earn that paycheck!); therefore, I love to find the connection to what is currently being analyzed and the holiday on which we should focus and bring those two together in a timely, concise manner.  Every building background knowledge.  Fun!  

Also, tradition does continue as I asked each student to choose a theme word for 2018.  I am ever impressed with their serious approach to this request, with their rationales for the word choices.  This.  Is.  A.  Good. Thing.  Each designed an index card for his/her word, and we shared their words on a bulletin board this week.  So much good on that board.  Love it!

My one word this year is less. As I explained to my students, my personality is such that, once I take on a project and make it my "baby," I have a hard time giving up this treasure, resulting is a mounting load of treasure that can lose its value!  Less must occur!

Also, my family's health must remain a focus this year.  This week, my sister just came home from a four-month stay in the hospital:  common surgery, during which her bowel was injured, which resulted in a horrible bacteria running rampant for too long, followed by 22 surgeries.  Wow!  Also, my husband has rocker bottom feet, a fairly rare form of arthritis, resulting in quite the lifestyle change for us. 

Less is more.  That is one of the lessons I am being taught.  All is well.  Yes.

I hope you have had an exciting and rewarding two weeks into 2018!  Please share!

Be blessed!

26.5 - Completed

Check.

Today, I finished the first semester of my 26th year.  What a semester!

Along with my normal schedule, I also included trips to visit my sister who has now been in the hospital for 13+ weeks.    From start through today, she is a miracle in the making.

I have enjoyed working with my six classes and getting to know them as the year progressed.  Two highlights?  The two who worked for the 100% and nearly accomplished their goals.  In my eyes, they succeeded.  Absolutely!  Good kids.  They will each go far.  Very.  A sophomore and a senior.  A female and a male.  A Hispanic and an African-American.  Contrasts.  Each the same.  Striving for more.  Just as I am.

This year, we were allowed to create our own units...and they are a work in progress.  Next year, they will be even better.  Guaranteed.  :)  Already, as I sit here, my mind begins planning for 2018...for two more new units, both based on classic texts:  To Kill a Mockingbird and The Crucible.  I most look forward to the engagement that each text will encourage.  Neither have I taught in several years, so, yes, the texts are in my bag, and part of the reading over this Christmas Break, will be these two texts.

My greatest struggle in the literacy classroom?  Covering it all!  Literary analysis, language skills, vocabulary, writing, projects...and...I really do try, though! We covered it all and more...each student blogs and are working on a novella...of My Story, a focus each chooses relating why each is who each is. For each of my five English classes, I am writing beside them.  My novella...may just be a novel!  Love it!

Outside the high school classroom, I taught a college class, further guiding future English teachers to more learn who they are, preparing for the ever-changing curriculum to which each seem devoted.  Together, we presented at the Arkansas Reading Association's Literacy Conference.  Ever since one of my grad professors asked me to present with her at a state conference, I, too, have followed in her footsteps, encouraging...okay, forcing!...my undergraduate students to present, also.  What a sweet detail to add to their resumes.  I just have to think...yes...this will place their resumes a step up from the competition.  I hope so!

Now...before I begin re-reading those classics, I do feel compelled to read a Christmas novel...or two...or five!  Currently, I am reading The Afterlife of Holly Chase, a chosen novel for The Young Adult Book Club within Good Reads.  So far, I am enjoying it...:)

Merry Christmas...and happy break...and enjoy reading!

Rooted in Literacy

This past month (time flies...faster and faster!), I attend the 45th Annual Literacy Conference and had the best of times.  Yes!  Absolutely!

This was my second year to serve on the Conference Committee...what a rewarding experience...that took many hours to accomplish!  BUT...well worth it!

Some highlights:

• On Thursday, I presented with my two students from my Lyon College methods class.  They/we worked on a project for the semester and presented their projects to a group of about 25.  Fun!  Also, this will look amazing on their resumes.  Yay!   
• Also, on Thursday, the authors who participated in the ARA Book Club met with some of the participants.  I am just such a nerd, but I totally loved this!  Danny Brassell, Monique Wild, Amanda Mayeaux, Jonathan Friesen...sweet!
• On Thursday evening during dinner, authors Louis Sachar and Jane Feber sat at our table.  Yes,  I asked about the next book...but made no progress as this is top secret info!  
• On Friday, I hosted a two-hour institute on blogging, a tool I enjoy and encourage my students to utilize.  Although the attendance was lower (as were all the sessions), those there seemed to enjoy and take home some ideas they might implement with their own students.  Yay!
• The time spent with like-minded peers was priceless and always needed. 

Already, I am looking forward to next year!  Join us!