#2ndaryELA Archive

#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!

Tuesday December 6, 2016
8:00 PM EST

literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:00 PM EST

Welcome to tonight’s chat! Please introduce yourself. Tell what & where you teach. Share your blog link if you have one. #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:01 PM EST

Don't forget: use #2ndaryELA on responses & replies to others, label your responses w/A1, A2, & follow anyone chatting with us
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:01 PM EST

I'm Jennifer in SW Ontario. I teach Grade 7 & 8 ELA. #2ndaryELA
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:02 PM EST

Hello Everyone! Kristy here, co-host and Canadian middle school teacher. I also blog at https://t.co/4oVU89COk3 #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:02 PM EST

I'm Brynn Allison, chat co-host. 8 yrs teaching HS English & reading interventions in Philly. Blog: https://t.co/cyx1WlwPgI #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:03 PM EST

#2ndaryELA check out our FB group to continue the conversation all week long. 2,250+ members & growing! https://t.co/w6efwWzXkk
ProsserSK Dec 6 @ 8:03 PM EST

Hi, I'm Sarah Prosser, a student at Grove City College. Starting student teaching in 8th grade ELA in just over a month! #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:03 PM EST

Hi everyone! Olivia from KS. I teach 7th grade English #2ndaryELA
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:03 PM EST

Hey! I'm Emilie. I'm a student teacher in San Diego CA. I teach English blog: blog is https://t.co/05k8iGUm9E #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:05 PM EST

Q1: Does your school celebrate the holidays? With what types of events or activities? #2ndaryELA
mamawolfeto2 Dec 6 @ 8:05 PM EST

Hi! I'm Jennifer from CA - I teach 8/9 ELA and AVID and I write about teaching/mothering in the 21st c at https://t.co/gPzZEqwbyq #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:06 PM EST

A1 My school was anti-holidays but is becoming more lenient. Classes do an activity w/their buddy class the day before a holiday #2ndaryELA
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:07 PM EST

A1: We celebrate with a candy cane fundraiser, and a carol sing on the last day of classes. #2ndaryela
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:07 PM EST

A1: My school is private and, when founded, started with Christmas concerts, but has moved towards becoming more inclusive. #2ndaryELA
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:07 PM EST

A1: No; we do spirit days and focus on acts of kindness - no specific holiday is celebrated. We keep it seasonal or winter. #2ndaryela
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:09 PM EST

A1 The high school I Stdnt teach @ doesnt has no designated holiday events but a winter concert & formal. All meant 2 b inclusive #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:09 PM EST

A1: My StuCo kids sponsor candy-gram sales, which I L O V E! ❤️ we deliver them during the final days of the semester. #2ndaryela
mrsmcreading Dec 6 @ 8:09 PM EST

A1) We raise money that buys Christmas gifts for needy students at our school. Choir and band have Christmas concerts. #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:10 PM EST

Q2: Do you celebrate the holidays within your classroom? With what types of lessons or activities? #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:10 PM EST

What are the themes of your spirit days? #2ndaryELA
In reply to @MissBertelsBLMS
mr_meighen Dec 6 @ 8:10 PM EST

A1: Big tradition is tree lighting before Thanksgiving in our library. Check out pinned tweet for our teacher #mannequinchallenge #2ndaryELA
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:10 PM EST

A1 The HS I Stdnt teach at has no designated Xmas events but winter concert& formal. All meant to be inclusive to all Ss #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:10 PM EST

so cool that you're getting into Twitter chats early in your career - that's awesome! Smart girl 🤓 #2ndaryela
In reply to @ProsserSK
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:11 PM EST

A2: A good classroom lesson focus for this season is giving not getting. Great ideas here: https://t.co/B14lKij5gr #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:11 PM EST

A2 Use A Christmas Carol inspired character analysis activity w/the text my class is reading (see tip 1) https://t.co/IZgU8xyv84 #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:11 PM EST

I've done the same at past schools. I just asked my dean about doing it this year! #2ndaryela
In reply to @MissBertelsBLMS
mr_meighen Dec 6 @ 8:11 PM EST

A1: We also have a holiday spirit week, which is usually the week leading into winter break #2ndaryela
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:12 PM EST

A2: More giving not getting ideas for students https://t.co/COuRExrdIY #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:12 PM EST

A2 cont I love having a gift of words exchange for students (see tip 3) https://t.co/IZgU8xyv84 #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:12 PM EST

Awesome tradition! Where's the pinned tweet? #2ndaryELA
In reply to @mr_meighen
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:12 PM EST

My StuCo kids brainstorm, vote, have them approved. This year: pajama, ugly sweater, 70s, Disney, twins! 😌#2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
ProsserSK Dec 6 @ 8:13 PM EST

A2: Could read short stories/poetry with holiday topics. Tie into cultural diversity by reading about xmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, etc #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:13 PM EST

A2: My classes are diverse, so I make an effort to be mindful of and acknowledge different important events throughout the year #2ndaryELA
mr_meighen Dec 6 @ 8:13 PM EST

pinned to the top of my profile #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
ncteachermom Dec 6 @ 8:13 PM EST

A2- for the past twenty years, we have raised 20k for needy families in the area. I started caroling for donations yesterday. Lol #2ndaryELA
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:13 PM EST

A2 no holiday lessons or activities just yet but I'd love to get some great ideas from what everyone's sharing! #newteacher #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:14 PM EST

it's amazing. Spreads cheer + proceeds go to adopt-a-family in our community. #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST

Q3: How do you keep students focused on curriculum during this month which is filled with special events and activities? #2ndaryELA
ncteachermom Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST

A2-for a warmup, we make holiday cards for each person in class and rotate them around the room to get comments #2ndaryELA
mrsmcreading Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST

A2) In the past we've read Best Christmas Pageant Ever or Christmas Carol #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST

A2: Reading classes do Christmas Carol. My writing activities vary - sometimes finding figurative lang in holiday movie clips 🎄 #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST

Wow! That is amazing #2ndaryela
In reply to @ncteachermom
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:16 PM EST

A3 Don't try to fight the holiday spirit. Choose readings that connect directly or thematically to the holidays #2ndaryELA
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:16 PM EST

A3: Routines and meaningful work are key for keeping students focused during this month. More ideas here: https://t.co/n0MjDk5UV6 #2ndaryela
mamawolfeto2 Dec 6 @ 8:16 PM EST

A2 No Xmas activities but I did use a snow globe template to write short narrative w vocab root/suffixes #2ndaryELA
JudiHolst Dec 6 @ 8:16 PM EST
A3: Have students give a speech. They want to do a great job on their speech, and the other students have to listen. :) #2ndaryELA
- literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:15 PM EST
  
  Q3: How do you keep students focused on curriculum during this month which is filled with special events and activities? #2ndaryELA
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:16 PM EST

A3: I feed into holiday spirit! Music, crackling fireplace video on YouTube...everyone's in a good mood, so don't fight it! #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:17 PM EST

A3 I like to read "The Gift of The Magi" this time of year, also "The Scarlet Ibis" Both about the gifts that others give to us #2ndaryela
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:17 PM EST

A3: I try to stick to routine as much as possible. Currently working on speeches, so Ss have time to practice/share feedback/move #2ndaryELA
ncteachermom Dec 6 @ 8:18 PM EST

A3-we read engaging texts and spend some time on cool projects like genius Hour #2ndaryELA
mamawolfeto2 Dec 6 @ 8:18 PM EST

A3 I really don't focus on holidays at all - classes too diverse. I do new year goals, tho! #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:18 PM EST

A3: also a good time for media critique - persuasive writing, media techniques, product placements. #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:20 PM EST

Q4: How do you get students to think about others during this month? Lessons? Videos? #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:20 PM EST

Me, too! The kids often groan at first, but then get excited about it. #2ndaryela
In reply to @mamawolfeto2
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:20 PM EST

What a great idea with all of the holiday advertisements in print and on TV #2ndaryela
In reply to @MsScotchmer
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:21 PM EST

A4: We had a great #2ndaryELA Twitter chat about giving not getting last year https://t.co/B14lKiAG7Z
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:21 PM EST

A4 There's a NY Times article about giving I like to read with students (see tip 2) https://t.co/IZgU8xgTJu #2ndaryela
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:21 PM EST

A3 were a 4x4 school do Ss see usually focused anyway+ we move too fast NOT to stay focused. Seniors arent very jolly 😩 #2ndaryELA
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:21 PM EST

A3 Were a 4x4 school so Ss are usually focused anyway(we move too fast NOT to stay focused) plus seniors arent too "jolly" anyway #2ndaryela
MissBertelsBLMS Dec 6 @ 8:22 PM EST

A4: Writing prompts ALWAYS! I work hard to create a classroom where kids feel comfortable speaking in front of peers. Community 👍🏻#2ndaryela
JudiHolst Dec 6 @ 8:22 PM EST
A4: I would do a "gift of writing" with ELA Ss. They would write a poem or story, put it over a photo, and give it as a gift. #2ndaryELA
- literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:20 PM EST
  
  Q4: How do you get students to think about others during this month? Lessons? Videos? #2ndaryELA
ProsserSK Dec 6 @ 8:22 PM EST

A4: Holiday season is a great time for service learning! Don't just think about it- do something practical to serve the community #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:22 PM EST

I'd love to say it was my own idea, but it's all thanks to many mentors and teachers who share ideas! #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
mrsmcreading Dec 6 @ 8:22 PM EST

A4) Sounds silly but we watch a couple of the Apple Christmas commercials. Marketing yet about giving. #argument #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:23 PM EST

What's a 4x4 school? #2ndaryela
In reply to @EmtheTeacher
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:25 PM EST

Q5: Share some resources to help students think beyond themselves during the season of giving (e.g. blog posts, Pinterest ideas). #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:25 PM EST

A4: That's something I am passionate about year round and my Ss know it. We always look for ways to give back. #2ndaryELA
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:25 PM EST

4 classes/day for 1 semester & switch for 2nd semester. class periods = 1.5 hr/day (1 yr course in half the time) #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:26 PM EST

A5 Here's a recent blog post w/11 ideas and activities to get students to think of others #2ndaryela
2peasandadog - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:26 PM EST

A5: Meaningful Holiday Lessons https://t.co/Zf50nO3POr #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:28 PM EST

A5 oops forgot the link https://t.co/4mxsbgyloR #2ndaryela
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:29 PM EST

oh I'd call that block scheduling #2ndaryela
In reply to @EmtheTeacher
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:29 PM EST

I haven't had a chance to look through this, but Edutopia posted a link to short videos. https://t.co/pbadIesdiN #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:30 PM EST

Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Next chat will be in 2017. See you on 1/10 at 8pm EST #2ndaryELA
JenniferFox13 Dec 6 @ 8:30 PM EST

@ILAToday: Explore ways to bring #voicerecording & #podcasts into your classroom. https://t.co/okQs3v6i1C #ILAchat #engchat #2ndaryELA
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:31 PM EST

Share chat questions, topic suggestions, requests to host here: https://t.co/Q7H2kUw2g3 #2ndaryELA
MsScotchmer Dec 6 @ 8:31 PM EST

Thanks to you and @2peasandadog for hosting! Thanks to everyone for sharing! #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven, @2peasandadog
literarymaven - Moderator Dec 6 @ 8:32 PM EST

And don't forget #2ndaryELA You can join us on FB to chat with us anytime https://t.co/w6efwWilVK
TeachWriting2 Dec 6 @ 8:33 PM EST

Just under 30 min until we talk blogging on #TeachWriting - join us! #TCRWP #2ndaryELA #AmWriting #1to1techat #Comments4Kids #NWP #TLAP
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:36 PM EST

A5 Really like the idea of the vocab resource that feeds kids! @literarymaven shared in blog post #2ndaryela
In reply to @literarymaven
EmtheTeacher Dec 6 @ 8:37 PM EST

Thanks for sharing all of those great ideas everyone! #teachertwitter #2ndaryela