I took this picture on the beach of Gulf Shores, Alabama as I waded in and out of the waves trying to get nice pic. We had just driven south from Chicago through towns displaying the Confederate flag, and, in light of recent Supreme …
Draw Your Story: Visual Thinking Strategies in Writing
The blank page is daunting for any writer. Talking in front of peers in middle school might be even more so. A picture, however, can do the talking for us, and once it does, the writing comes. Take a look at my drawing. Yes, look, please. …
Writing Fiction with Hemingway
There’s no time for fiction in English classes these days. Argument and argumentative essays were all the rage last year, and I don’t see that movement slowing down. Did you notice the nonfiction teacher books and resources being passed around your school and the new …
Ethical ELA’s Birthday: Top Posts
From reading comic books to celebrating teacher friends, from reading logs to reading Shakespeare, from portfolio assessments to throwing out grades, we are uncovering what English teachers do for our students, schools, and humanity. Thank you.
Review: Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts
Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain My rating: 3 of 5 stars I read Susan Cain’s Quiet a few summers ago. I actually listened to it during really long walks over summer break, contemplating how I, as an introvert, fit in …
Review: The Honest Truth
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart My rating: 4 of 5 stars This one is definitely for middle school. While teachers don’t have to worry about drugs, sex, or language with this one, they do have to consider potential trigger warnings because the main character …
Review: Like Water on Stone
Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath My rating: 3 of 5 stars While some reviews suggest this book is more geared toward adult readers, I disagree. I have read many novels that represent genocide, I think this one takes care of teen readers with her …
Review: Highly Illogical Behavior
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley My rating: 3 of 5 stars For upper middle and high school students — not really for younger readers because there is some talk of sex and drugs. There is a same-sex crush, but it is sweet and …
Standards, Curriculum, and a Writing Philosophy: What Can You Do Without Me?
What is the difference between standards and curriculum? Standards are one part of my curriculum. I’ve written about standards-based learning. This year in my 7th grade composition class, the writing standards –features of a narrative, argument, and informational essay — guided my instruction for the first …
5 Routines for a Meaningful Final Grade Conference
In the beginning, we were learning how to talk about learning without numbers or letters. Now, we are just talking about evidence and learning. I think I have worked out some effective and efficient routines to confer for final reading grades, so I thought I would share five routines that have helped make this final conference with my seventh graders the most honest, positive conversation we’ve had about learning.