Reading and Writing a Literary Critique Use the Nine Yardsticks of Value Chart to show how you rate the autobiographical novel Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao. Also, carefully read the following critique and use the chart to indicate what you believe to be the values of the author, “Monkey Bridge,” Cao has a distinctive style [...]

Planning for Efficient Student Feedback on Speech Presentation Days (See variety of feedback form below) To help student focus on various aspects of public speaking by classmates, for each round of speeches, I ask students to complete one section of our speech check list each day they are not speaking. Once the assignment is given, [...]

Taking a Random Walk through the Book: An alternative way to introduce a new fiction on non-fiction reading *****Ask students to write on a piece of paper any ten numbers between the first and last page number of the book you are using. For example, 3,7, 27, 59, 78, 87, 115, 143, 205, 212 *****Next [...]

You can begin now and ensure that your students will be ready to do well on the semester exam.   First, write in your own words specifically what plan to measure.  Consider these ideas.   (1) How well students recall what you’ve taught about ______________. (2) How well students can use vocabulary. (which?) (3) How [...]

I love to share ideas from others that I wish I’d thought of myself.  Here’s one from Joe Bellacero who writes: I know that, as an English teacher, I wanted my students to read things outside of class so we could spend our time in class in more fruitful discussion and analysis. One of my [...]

It is helpful to understand the difference between critiquing student writing and grading student writing.  This link, Critiquing or Grading can help you create a rubric that achieves your goals. Students will appreciate knowing how they are being assessed, too.  So, I recommend clarifying the goals and allowing students to practice giving peer feedback to classmates [...]

     “Where’s an English teacher when you need one?” began Dr. Robert Probst, at a session I attended at a Conference on English Leadership.  His speech reminded us that like parents, we educators prepare our students to do without us.  In order to achieve this we must understand two concepts we hear about in the [...]

 Looking for a way to inspire students to write about what they read, hear and view?  A colleague, Carol S, directed my attention to this method of journaling and this list of Essential Questions.  As often is the case, it is an accumulation of ideas from a range of educators.  Thank you to those who [...]

    Structured Discussions are a good way to get students to talk about literature and stay on topic.  Attached is an adaptation of the literature circle roles described by Harvey Daniels. This Literature Circle Discussion Guide is easily modified to accommodate students in different grades and for a range of readings.  

Patterning is a great way to have students practice what they learn about language and literature. As you view this set of workshop slides, you’ll find lots of ideas you can incorporate into your lessons to help students understand better how stories, poetry, and articles are structured and how to use what they’ve learned to enhance [...]