Spend some time reading poetry and deciding which poem you like well enough to share with the class. (Please select a new poem; one not done for previous assignments or projects). Steps to Selection 1. Select a collection of poems (a collection by the same or by different authors).  See our class anthology, Poems 180, [...]

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, [...]

Propaganda, Persuasion and Play-writing Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee Adapted from McDougal Littell Conversation: Lessons of History Includes links to Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts Download Inherit the Wind Lessons  Though based on the famous Scopes “Monkey Trail” where William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow clashed over a [...]

Consider having students practice oral arguments before writing argumentative or persuasive essays.  During debates, remind students that it is information and reasoning, rather than volume and unsupported opinions that make for convincing speeches and compelling essays. One way for students to understand this concept better is to prepare for, participate in, and then debrief experiencing [...]

Have you seen this resource from Frank Baker? He acknowledges that the conten is somewhat dated, the basic elements still are useful in its updated format.  Take a look and adapt to your setting. OBSERVING PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES I used it with success during the 2008 election season. It proved to be a good way to [...]

Students often are surprised to learn how much they already know or can gather from resources other than the Internet. This  Information Hunt  can help get your students off to a good start researching information for writing or speaking assignments.  Assigning the questions can be a way of introducing inexperienced researchers to a variety of resources…including themselves. [...]

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 [...]

  One way you can have your students step back a moment before they begin looking at articles, viewing video clips, and writing summaries and abstracts about controversial issues is to have a short presentation on values and look at how what we value, think is important to and for us, influences our behavior and colors our lenses. Depending [...]

  Sometimes when students SEE how essays work, they can write their own with more confidence and competence. One thing that has worked for me is using colors, metaphors, and formulae.   USING COLORS: If you can locate colored pencils or highlighters in different colors, enough for three colors per student, you can try this. [...]

Encouraging students to read independently is one thing; keeping records and grading their efforts is another.  Here’s a idea to help reduce the time spent doing the latter.  Assign the students to keep their own records and work towards a grade of their choice!  You can reduce student cheating by making independent reading a minor [...]