There are five things most educators can agree on. First, most educators value student questions as a measure of student engagement in the classroom. Actually, questions are frequently the most important thing because they move the conversation forward and verbalize learning. They make learning occur “out loud.” Second, the more heterogeneous, the better. The beautiful … Continue reading Public Grammar: Creating Community by Larry Gavin
Listening to the Silence: Addressing Anxiety Disorders in Our Schools by Abby Rosen
As teachers, we ask a lot of our students. We demand not only respect for our authority, but curiosity, effort, and perseverance in the face of failure and humiliation. They also ask a lot of us: content mastery, understanding, and the ability to constantly adapt to new challenges. Usually, students rise to our expectations with … Continue reading Listening to the Silence: Addressing Anxiety Disorders in Our Schools by Abby Rosen
Addressing Racial Injustice Through Allyship: Teaching to See by Using Poetry by Sharon Rudnicki
(Note: The editors have chosen to partially redact a form of the n-word that appears when quoting Kendrick Lamar's lyrics.) Introduction In 2016, America was treated to two excellent television series that focus on the life of O.J. Simpson, FX’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and ESPN’s O.J.: Made in … Continue reading Addressing Racial Injustice Through Allyship: Teaching to See by Using Poetry by Sharon Rudnicki
We Made it for You by Daniel Ellis
I’m here to speak truth. I’m here to speak truth. I’m here to speak truth. Truth in the light of histories textbooks. That deny my heritage. Truth in the light of men’s ignorance. Whom infringe upon the rights of those who’re indigenous. Truth in the light of broken dreams. As they carried us in chains … Continue reading We Made it for You by Daniel Ellis
The Formation of Thesis Statements: Beyoncé in the Secondary English Language Arts Classroom by Summer Melody Pennell
Abstract The author shares an example from her own teaching experience (with a student population of primarily African-American and Latinx youth) that illustrates that the lyrics and video for Beyoncé’s Formation can be used to teach thesis statements. This lesson was successful because (a) the lyrics paired with the video created depth of meaning, and … Continue reading The Formation of Thesis Statements: Beyoncé in the Secondary English Language Arts Classroom by Summer Melody Pennell
Infographic-Making Activity by Michael MacBride
[pdf version here: MacBride-Infographic-activity] Objective: To encourage the use of charts, graphs, maps, and other infographics in student writing. Approximate Time Required: 30 minutes Materials Needed: A computer with access to the internet and access to the video “Kurt Vonnegut on the shapes of stories” available a number of online locations, including: https://vimeo.com/53286941 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-84vuR1f90 … Continue reading Infographic-Making Activity by Michael MacBride
What Is a Civic-Minded Student and How Can We Foster This in Our Classrooms? by Heidi Burns
[pdf version here: Burns, Heidi--News Summary Activity] (Burns also has a new book forthcoming, which contains similar activities ready to plug into your classroom. Check it out here: http://amzn.to/1U4195g) Civic-minded students are those who are both engaged and informed about the realities that exist outside of their world as students. College composition classrooms are a great … Continue reading What Is a Civic-Minded Student and How Can We Foster This in Our Classrooms? by Heidi Burns
Five Ways in Which High-Quality Literacy Instruction Can Increase Student Interest in Our Content Areas by Kelly Birkett
[pdf version here: Birkett-FiveWays] Each year, on the day after Labor Day, the invasion begins. We stand in the hall next to our classrooms at the sound of the warning bell, and feel the adrenaline rush through our veins as we hear the sound of excited chatter of our new students. It continues to pulse … Continue reading Five Ways in Which High-Quality Literacy Instruction Can Increase Student Interest in Our Content Areas by Kelly Birkett
Increasing Student Motivation in the Classroom by Mary Jo Kerekes
[pdf version here: MaryJoKerekes-StudentMotivation] How do I increase student motivation in my classroom? It is a question that I ask daily. Some students have a desire to “get a good grade”, others have a desire to learn something new, and others….well um...just really don’t seem to care. They are in class because they “have to be” … Continue reading Increasing Student Motivation in the Classroom by Mary Jo Kerekes
Building Literacy in all classrooms by Melissa Brandt
[pdf version here: Brandt-BuildlingLiteracy] As new teachers embark on the challenge of the classroom, they are given a barrage of guidance: be nice to students, but not friends; care, but be firm; establish rules, but let the kids work out the procedures; incorporate high-quality literacy, but … Continue reading Building Literacy in all classrooms by Melissa Brandt
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