#2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. We chat every Tuesday night at 8 pm EST using #2ndaryELA. We'd love for you to join us!
Hi all! I am a 4th year ed student at the University of Regina with a major in ELA. My blog address is https://t.co/GNV5naMzIG if anyone is interested! #2ndaryELA
A1: Through university I have learned a lot about and like to focus on critical reading through different lenses, especially at the senior levels. Also things like tone, audience, purpose, etc. #2ndaryELA
A1) I enjoy using books as a gateway to building communication skills. Many of my students struggled with conveying information from a text or simply recalling facts. Discussing the facts as a group seemed to be a sweet spot for us. #2ndaryELA
Using @limetownstories which is a fictional story (though its presented like a nonfiction report w/ narrative elements)--so engaging! And fun! Would only use w/ high schoolers though #2ndaryELA
Citing textual evidence and making connections with the text. I always follow up their answers with "awesome. Can you give me a specific example from the author that shows what your talking about?" #2ndaryela
A2: I actually plan opposite and match skills to the texts b/c I teach struggling learners, engagement is key. So finding engaging texts is #1 priority #2ndaryELA
A2: I look for short texts to model and intro skills. I love The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier. Then I pick readings that would interest my class. #2ndaryELA
A2: I try to find highly engaging texts and then target each skill as best suited. I also use short stories to add additional practice for skills that need more work. #2ndaryELA
A2: I ask for ideas on my Insta stories and search hashtags on socials for things that fall under the unit I'm covering. I also talk to veteran teachers. #2ndaryela
A2: As a new teacher I find the curriculum a good place to start for text suggestions. For supporting and additional texts I also like Newsela! #2ndaryELA
A3: Theme is tough, but in Grades 7 & 8 I focus on author's message. "What does the author want you to think about after reading this book?" #2ndaryELA
A2: I use whatever I'm reading sometimes. Other times I'll use books from my classroom shelf to interest students. Occasionally I've used my own writing. #2ndaryela
A3: I rely a lot on graphic organizers when it comes to theme! Teaching theme is also a good place to do cross-curricular with art as that is largely based on theme sometimes. #2ndaryELA
I start off with the Outsiders and we make a list as we read. Love teaching it with this novel and short stories like the necklace and the scarlet libis. #2ndaryela
A3: Students annotate for theme seeds or topics that are repeated throughout the text. Later they develop these topics into the points they feel the author is trying to make over the course of the book. #2ndaryELA
A3: I can't think of a specific lesson but I like to start by introducing general theme topics and then having students specify them with theme statements. #2ndaryELA
Q4: I modify for 3 groups: high, middle, and low. My hough group usually gets tic tac toe charts focusing on Blooms top levels. My middle get content questions. My low group get content questions with page numbers to help them locate answers. #2ndaryela
A4: Putting them in mixed level groups for help, using the Pixar shorts and commercials during tutoring, pulling out additional quotes for practice, visuals, etc. #2ndaryELA
A4: My school & district really focus on responsive instruction. Planning ahead & using assessment data to provide targeted small group instruction. And of course focusing on content, process, & product differentiation. #2ndaryELA
A4: I find pairing to be helpful for reading tasks so they learn from one another. Universal DI is also super helpful on a day-to-day basis. #2ndaryELA
A5 I'm working on a series of blog posts covering how I teach the different literary elements including texts to use and activities. Here's the first one on plot https://t.co/h8enYIC24K#2ndaryela
A5 cont I also have posts on: conflict, character and characterization, point of view, theme, irony, symbolism. Let me know if there's a particular literary elements you are struggling with and I'll share the link to that. #2ndaryela
A5: My biggest resource is my team, Facebook and Twitter plns like this one. Teachers in the trenches are the most creative problem solvers. I do like Jim Burke's English Companion. #2ndaryELA
A5: The student in me is about to show but I love Kelly Gallagher's books. We often use them in classes. Very practical and full of helpful tips on skills. #2ndaryELA
