An English Teacher's Toolbox
* Looking for inspiration and motivation, to share with others. * Looking to constantly improve and grow. * On Twitter at @MissBex_M *
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National Poetry Competition 2013: The winning poem
National Poetry Competition 2013: The winning poem http://gu.com/p/3emh9
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My Favorite Artist - Doug Hyde
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“Getting so into a book that everything around you fades away.”
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Monday morning...
#Accurate
LOL. This is so going to be me. I still have a 3000 word assignment to complete...
![msshrummsclassroom:
decomposingclassroom:
On a whim, I created a new class tradition yesterday: SCI-FI FRI! (Science Fiction Friday). Instead of a normal “Do Now” warm-up in class, Fridays’ will be visual, with more emphasis on creativity and wild imagination.
Huge hit. All the students were totally engaged, and it was awesome to see how they approached the writing prompt. Even better, two sixth grade girls volunteered to write me a Sci-Fi Fri theme song.
Notable quotes and conversations from the activity:
***
6th grade girl: Can my people have super-powers?
Me: Hmm…ok….one of them.
6th grade girl: [writes]
1. One pretty strong 23-year old woman who has studied the moon for 10 years and knows how to make buildings from moon rocks.
2. A middle-aged man who can grow plants in an indoor environment.
3. A 13-year old girl who can turn anything into oxygen.
***
6th grade girl, writes:
20 people who know a lot about the moon.
Me: What other details are important about those 20 people?
Girl: Huh?
Me: Like, is it okay if they’re all 85-year old men who are complete moon experts?
Girl: Yeah!
Me: But… uh, what will happen to your civilization in 10 or so years?!
Girl: How would I know?
Me: Well, I’m just not sure you have the framework in place for this civilization to keep itself going for too long…
Girl: Oh yeah. I guess I’ll put some young people in there to have babies.
***
On the lists were a blend of skill specifications (“architects,” “expert botanists,” “engineers”), character traits (“a strong leader,” “a peace maker”) and specific people.
I made it onto a few of the 6th graders’ lists, which was hugely flattering, especially when one of them put me in the company of Bear Grylls and Barack Obama.
Me: So you’re going to kidnap the President and send him off on this mission with me and 18 others?!
Boy: Yup!!!
Love this! Can’t wait to see more!
Reblogging for the great idea!](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma18xhRGnF1r6lwswo1_500.jpg)
On a whim, I created a new class tradition yesterday: SCI-FI FRI! (Science Fiction Friday). Instead of a normal “Do Now” warm-up in class, Fridays’ will be visual, with more emphasis on creativity and wild imagination.
Huge hit. All the students were totally engaged, and it was awesome to see how they approached the writing prompt. Even better, two sixth grade girls volunteered to write me a Sci-Fi Fri theme song.
Notable quotes and conversations from the activity:
***
6th grade girl: Can my people have super-powers?
Me: Hmm…ok….one of them.
6th grade girl: [writes]
1. One pretty strong 23-year old woman who has studied the moon for 10 years and knows how to make buildings from moon rocks.
2. A middle-aged man who can grow plants in an indoor environment.
3. A 13-year old girl who can turn anything into oxygen.
***
6th grade girl, writes:
20 people who know a lot about the moon.
Me: What other details are important about those 20 people?
Girl: Huh?
Me: Like, is it okay if they’re all 85-year old men who are complete moon experts?
Girl: Yeah!
Me: But… uh, what will happen to your civilization in 10 or so years?!
Girl: How would I know?
Me: Well, I’m just not sure you have the framework in place for this civilization to keep itself going for too long…
Girl: Oh yeah. I guess I’ll put some young people in there to have babies.
***
On the lists were a blend of skill specifications (“architects,” “expert botanists,” “engineers”), character traits (“a strong leader,” “a peace maker”) and specific people.
I made it onto a few of the 6th graders’ lists, which was hugely flattering, especially when one of them put me in the company of Bear Grylls and Barack Obama.
Me: So you’re going to kidnap the President and send him off on this mission with me and 18 others?!
Boy: Yup!!!
Love this! Can’t wait to see more!
Reblogging for the great idea!
My ‘Active Listener’ - put together last year with another colleague. #REDS
A table with levels 2-8 from the new NC for English in student-friendly language. Covers Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing, condensed onto 2 sides of A4. Useful for self- and peer- assessment.
Great resource!
What a fantastic discussion prompt - is change the only thing that is constant? How do we know? What else might be constant? Why? Can you explain? Can you give examples? Are there any links to be made?
(via pertinaciousheart)
What a great ‘thunk’
