#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 August 23, 2016
What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one.
I'm Caitlin, & I teach 6, 7, & 8 at a small, rural school in central IL. I have a new blog at https://t.co/lUa4iHFyZE
Don't forget: use on responses & replies 2 others, label yr responses w/A1, A2, & follow anyone chatting w/us 2night
I teach English 12, ERWC 12 and English 9 at Paradise High School in California
I'm Leslie and I teach 11th grade in central Ca
Jennifer from Bolivar, MO I teach future Ts, have masters in literacy, working on doctorate in &
Thea from FL special ed Eng/Read 10 - 12
Julie in Kansas, I teach 9th grade English
Good afternoon. I'm Heather and I teach AP Lang in Las Vegas. Only 92 degrees.
I'm Brynn Allison, chat co-host. 8 yrs teaching HS English & reading interventions in Philly. Blog: https://t.co/cyx1WlfdS8
Chilly for August, right? It was 82 in MO today!
Hey there! Julie in KS, HS ELA & tech integration. Links in profile. Excited to chat!
About the same here today in coastal SC but with high humidity!
Nicole, first year teacher, 7th ELA in Columbus, KS!
I have a freshmen at my house! He loves his English T!
A1: No classroom library (going to start one). YA lit is on my class reading lists.
I teach future Ts as well in MO
A1)I am Sheila, hs librarian, currently teaching 11th grade ACT Prep
First year! I hope you'll love it! I'm heading into year 31!
Hi! I'm in Davis, CA - where are you?
Lakisha, entering 6th year, 7th and 8th grade ELA/Humanities
Hi! I teach English and AVID in Davis, CA!
Pittsburgh native teaching in Northwestern, PA. I teach our school's 11th grade English courses and a yearbook journalism course.
Hi! I'm Rhonda and I teach 7th and 8th grade English in Ontario, Canada.
Noah from Denver. First time lurker here:) I'm good at saying "I don't know"
I LOVE new Ts! Congrats and good luck!
Q1: Do you include young adult literature in your curriculum or just your classroom library? Explain.
A1: No clsrm library (going to start one). YA lit is on my class reading lists
A1: 11th grade curriculum focuses on Early American Lit, so it's difficult to include YA lit. Looking to add paired texts this yr
A1 - My classroom is brimming and Ss read self-selected YA titles for a good portion of our curriculum.
A1: Both! MS ELA classes do themed units around a novel, i.e. 7th grade will start w/diversity theme & The Misfits by James Howe
A1: YA Lit is everywhere in my program - curriculum planning and classroom library.
A1: YA mostly for lit circles & self-selected reading in HS but I have a nice collection.
A1: I teach mostly nonfiction, but I will have my students do book groups with YA.
A1: We are required to use Springboard -the novel w/ it is Walk Two Moons but there are tons of other lit in the room
A1: Yes, I have my future Ts read YA lit in my courses, & I used to have my own classroom library when I was still in clsrm
A1: new curriculum doesn't include much fiction but hoping to supplement and increase via ind. reading assignments
A1 In my curriculum I teach thematic units with YA lit as anchor texts
I include YA in my curriculum and I have a class library of YA. I'm also putting together a library for my TEA partner from Mali
A1 - as much as I can - hard to get district to adopt new teaching materials. Use with ALit8 class
I've had luck w/paired texts in 11th gr! River Rats w/ Huck Finn, Jake Reinvented w/The GG and so on. https://t.co/p2YbQe0bVe
A1: 11th grade curriculum focuses on Early American Lit, so it's difficult to include YA lit. Looking to add paired texts this yr
Hi all! This is my 9th year teaching. I teach 6th grade in Sacramento, CA.
A1 the 7th grade curriculum is mostly middle grade or younger ya but our class library runs the spectrum
Josh Wallace. Teach 10th ELA in Sandy, Ut. Will be mostly lurking tonight, since need desperate help in this area.
A1: I supplement with excerpts and talk about what I'm reading We have required books at district level *yuck*
what curriculum do you use? I have a new one by Springboard and the American lit/dream focus is so dry
Bolivar MO, southeast of KC
I've incorporated in a course like that to make a connection between the past and present
Amy teaching 7th in Berwyn, IL here!
A1: YA lit. is just in my classroom library. My curriculum is pretty crowded as it is.
Sorry I'm late. Kim from MD - 11th and 12th grade English.
A1; our english teachers do include YA literature in classroom.
A1: I am trying to find the time to include it at the end of the year, but it's so difficult to fit in w/ other required texts
I love this idea. My district gives us 350 a year and I'm hoping to expand my classroom library and this inspired me
A1: My YALit is now middle-aged. Class library is outdated. Looking for ways to improve that and curriculum.
A1: Curious about role of OER in classroom libraries...what online resources are folks leaning on?
Ha! I bet you don't let your Ss say that!
A1 Gr9 independent project on YA. Gr10 classics, Gr11 has 1 YA Lit. selection as a class text. Not happy with this set up AT ALL
how do you like it? We are also using springboard and I'm a bit scared it's going to be repetitive and dry
I'm looking for more high interest YA for males (17-18 year olds).
What about used book sales at the local library? Thrift shops? Garage Sales?
Try paring with novels like American Born Chinese or Sherman Alexie texts
I grew up in OK! I went to college in Moore my first time around!
A1: I do use some YA sentences as mentor texts when teaching writing (sent. structure, diction, parts of speech, etc.).
Q2: What are your students’ favorite young adult titles?
Love that you give choice! Is management an issue?
Wendy from N.j. 6th grade A1: 2 whole class novels, independent reading. and book clubs.
A1)Curr should mirror class lib. Like a supermarket &restaurant duo: you know it's fresh when you see them pull it off the shelf.
A1: Both! We read 3 novels throughout the year as a class and as many read aloud as I can fit in!
All-American Boys is amazing.
Oh wow, great budget! I got my lit circle sets through and it's hard not to put them in my library!
A2: We're huge fans & love the SELECTION series by & THE BLACKCOAT REBELLION series by
A2: The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Book Thief, anything by Deborah Ellis, Eric Walters and the Chanda books by Stratton
A2 Graphic novels are very popular, Lunar Chronicles series, Gayle Forman's If I Stay & Where She Went
LOVE Sharon Creech! One of my favs!
Great tip! Some libraries on last day of their book sales will have 1hr for Ts to snag free books
It can be dry in spots. I use interactive notebook foldables & my own created materials to liven it up/differentiate
A2: I am anxious for my students to tell me this week.
A1 Love this - mine is, too! But I recycle out of my own kid's library, so have a few from the 2000s. :) https://t.co/S10rWB4da2
A1: My YALit is now middle-aged. Class library is outdated. Looking for ways to improve that and curriculum.
A2: Some of the John Green books seem to be popular. Students also enjoy reading The Book Thief in 10th grade at our school.
Have you used or Jacqueline Woodson?
A1 - Also use YA titles for whole class study- Touching Spirit Bear in 7th grade. Read aloud of YA titles too.
A2: Eleanor and Park, anything by John Green, there is a subset publisher called Panic that is good.
A2: Some other favorites include the MATCHED series by & MAZE RUNNER series by
A1: I think most of what we read would be considered YA/middle grade. A few "classics" throughout thrown in
I'm late too, sorry! Jennifer from Tx. I teach 7th Pre-Ap reading and writing.
A2: The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Book Thief, anything by Deborah Ellis & and the Chanda books by Stratton
A2: Most girls like the notebook or John green. Boys into sci-fi or adventure a lot. Hunger games always a hit
What titles are on your class reading list?
A2: Realistic is also big in my classroom so anything by & fly off the shelves!
A1 We will be reading The Hunger Games as a class novel this year, and perhaps Flipped next year
What about historical fiction YA pairings?
Love that! Collect daily/weekly?
A2 last year kwame Alexander was hot plus dystopias, believe by Eric le grand, the summer of letting go by was a fav
A1 My classroom library is small but filled with lots of YA lit. It'll grow 😊
Love this idea! Where did the idea originate? Admin? You?
I love that you have lots of multiples
A1&2: Mostly use YA for independent reading & sometimes lit circles. They like John Green & Jodi Picoult(or used to).
A2: Finally over dystopian/HG read-alikes but were big for years. Not sure what's next? (Not YA but Me Before You very popular.)
Washington, D.C. - I use curriculum. Focused young adult lit using Newberry Award novels and student essays.
A2 Last year my boys LOVED horror novels and girls loved John Green and mysteries. I'll find out tom. what this year's kids like!
A2: For fantasy, THE YOUNG ELITES series by & MISS PEREGRINE'S series by have been pretty popular.
A2: The Hunger Games (series), The Outsiders, (resurgence in) Harry Potter,
I got one from our librarian last school year, too. So many connections that I would have never considered!
Totally agree with the "required" yuck!
A2: anything John Green, especially because he's a local here in Indy! Kids are also into Divergent & the 5th Wave.
A2: Sarah Dessen books, John Green books
A2: over the summer I put together a Book of the Week board for the year with YA classic and contemporary. Will post pics asap
Correct. Love the author and title ideas being shared. Feel a little out of touch with my inner reader.
A2 They always gobble up Lowis Lowry's sequels to The Giver
Q3: What titles would you recommend to help diversify a classroom library?
If no in curriculum, what is the focus?
You'll get there! Just read right along with them!
I'll admit that I buy YA from Amazon and blame that it's for my class library.
I started loving again when my kids were that age
A3: CHALLENGER DEEP by is a fabulous read to help diversify the
A2: Kinda Like Brother Freak the Mighty Chains Monster by
A2)7th loves anything Joan Bauer, Bone grapnovel series, Kwame Alexander, James Patterson, anything funny,dystopia still popular.
A3 Use the YALSA awards for diversity. Like Printz.
I traveled to Indy & Amsterdam a few years ago for I understand the JG love
A2- Ss have loved Winger, Stupid Fast, any Sarah Desson, the Gone series, Unwind series, 5th Wave, I'll Give you the Sun . . .
A1: YES...in curriculum and class library. YA lit meets their needs as readers.
A3: American Born Chinese, Brown Girl Dreaming, Great Greene Heist by
A3: Anything dystopian - Control, Catalyst, Red Rising trilogy,
Totally! My students already have a waiting list for the book!
LOVE all these! So motivating for Ss!
A3: I look for books that have characters that are like my students
INTRO: I missed the intro bc I'm sneak reading my current obsession, Ruin & Rising. West MI HS teacher/consultant.
I did Speed Dating with Books and got the books into the hands of my students this year. Awesome experience!
A3: Sharon Draper& Walter Dean Myers. I also like to add nonfiction
If your kids liked the 5th Wave, have them read Fallout. It's also by Todd Strasser, so good! I just finished it.
A3 Books by , Into the Beautiful North, In the Time of the Butterflies
A3: George by is must have for any diverse classroom library! Great Wall of Lucy Wu, Liberation of Gabe King, too.
Maybe historical fiction? There's a trend with a lot of 9/11 stories this year, & some other great coming out
A3: Red Rising by Pierce Brown swept through my school (I may have started that fire)...it's amazing sci-fi dystopian.
Who is over ? The teens I know still love them
A3: Brass Ankle Blues, I read it over the summer and it reminded me of Looking for Alaska, female mixed race protagonist
A3: Will Grayson Will Grayson, Persepolis, Time to Dance
A3 everything, everything. George, Luna, the crossover, finding someplace (hurricane Katrina)
Prisoner b-3087 by Alan Gratz was very popular. Chains and Speak by are also popular.
A3) Refugee section: Long walk to water, taking flight, I will always write back, brothers in hope, inside out and back again
Q4: Where/how do you find new books for your classroom library or to use in your teaching?
A4: I usually check in with our librarian to see what's trending and what our students are currently checking out of the library.
A3: My Ss have also loved books in verse - Inside Out & Back Again (set in Vietnam) & Serafina's Promise (Haiti) are both great.
A4 I often look at choice awards for new titles to read
I loved Towers Falling and Nine Ten. Can't wait for The Memory of Things.
A4: I just blogged about finding books for your library. Look everywhere and look regularly. https://t.co/lExCd4qo8T
A4. Thrift stores, my former students who have done to college, and friends.
A4: Physically in thrift stores, library sales. Find out about them from my students. :)
A4: Mainly by asking other ELA teachers, Google, and
A4: I'm a co-leader for Teachers Choices Awards project for so we get thousands! Check it out https://t.co/0DdZKelknt
A4: I'm a co-leader for Teachers Choices Awards project for so we get thousands! Check it out https://t.co/IrrHDZoaU7
A3: My dept. tries to select titles from writers around the world. Having trouble sending link 2 book list right now, but will
Q4 Besides my own children's bookshelves...I love thrift stores! Scholastic orders, too.
They are on my this Fall. I can't wait to read them!
A4: my teen daughter/writer/bibliophile!
A4: I stalk local Goodwills and Half Price Books. This teacher is ballin on a budget!
If your students liked that Alan Gratz, have them read Code of Honor, his new 1. Full of action. Boys will love it
Oh yes - Scholastic orders are my favorites!!
I'd love to hear more about what you did!
A4 - Goodreads, scholastic, and twitter are my sources for new titles.
A3: Don't overlook classic lit. retellings or spinoffs. After we finish R&J, my R&J-related books disappear!
A4 I spend too much time/$$ on Amazon & Goodreads, in bookstores/libraries, and reading/talking about books (but I love it)
A4 Goodreads is pretty helpful. Also, just word of mouth! Ask other ELA teachers at your school (or on Twitter 🤓😜)
A4: I find recs from authors and teachers on Twitter, and other blog posts, and
I think it is a great idea for students to create a Critic's Corner to share book preferences.
Related to Q4, where do folks go to satiate the reading/writing thirsts of ss into fan fiction?
A4: Ask your students. check out YALSA and Epic Reads.
A4: , , , , = invaluable resources for new YA titles
A4: I read reviews and check out top sellers with B&N. I take suggestions from the students too.
No need to SNEAK read here!
A4 Twitter & blogs! Joining chats . Check out . Check out Serpent King & Goodbye Days
A4: I read, read, read. I'm also not the type to stick to just YA picks. Kids like good books, regardless of packaging/marketing.
Me, too! But there's always lots to choose from - always parents cleaning out kid's bookshelves!
A4: Library book sales are my best friends. So many good deals!
A4 I've gotten some good recommendations from blog. The Red Queen.
A4: Used bookstores, library sales, and garage sales offer great prices
A4: I'm also an avid stalker of for new titles. Their choice awards (and lists!) are FAB!
A4: I ask my Ss what they are reading. They love it when I follow up on a suggestion they have made
I loved Serpent King. First book talk of the year.
Both my teenagers couldn't put the books down until they were totally finished. Took daughter about 5 days 2 finish all
A4 Sometimes I just flat out ask my students if they want to donate a book they've finished to the class! They usually say Yes~
For the thrift store fans, suggest speaking to a mngr. I had one hook me up w 100s of free books for years
So true! Some of my favorite books are ones I've discovered through my students. https://t.co/k4a2z4hGic
A4: I ask my Ss what they are reading. They love it when I follow up on a suggestion they have made
My kids ❤️ Maximum Ride series (extremely short chapters & lots of action), all pop. dystopia & Mindwar.
A5: I book talk at least 1x per week. I'm having students submit book talks in 3-4 differents ways this year, gives them choice.
Q5: Do you or your students do book talks? What other ways do you share what you are reading?
A4: Pinterest, librarian, Amazon lists, Half-priced books, , etc.
I just read the memory of things for the second time - finalizing my review now
mines at my school in my computer files. I'd be happy to forward it to you!
A4 a fun idea is to create a class shared Google Slide deck where kids create a slide for books they love and all can see
Bookseller's Day and Book Club Day.
A5 Planning a book themed bulletin board this yr & I blog about books, mostly , weekly here: https://t.co/SGuMRVTL5k
A5: We have not but I think that would be FAB! We are requited to do AR so this would only help!
A5: Students do book talks a few times a year and my goal is to book talk at least once a week this year. Any tips?
A5: We give book talks weekly but also share our w/ a reading board: releases, reviews + recs. https://t.co/7RAfNhYALy
A5: that's what I want to start this year, I'd love any advice
A5.1: Book clubs on class novels. Ss also speak about books they pick from suggested list.
A5: My 5th Graders love presenting independent reading projects. They make trailers, write sequels, create comics & share w class
I do a Bookseller's Day and Book Club Day.
This is awesome. I'm going to do that this year. https://t.co/k5cJYfO8ED
A4 a fun idea is to create a class shared Google Slide deck where kids create a slide for books they love and all can see
A5.2 Main goal this yr is more choice & pulling away from texts I “have 2” do
Yes- what are the best ways to do book talks? https://t.co/gnAGKUmuTO
A5: that's what I want to start this year, I'd love any advice
A5: My future Ts (my Ss) do book talks once a semester for books to get others excited
Love this idea! Any specifics for the corner?
A5: I want to do book circles this year, so I need to get ideas for books and get reading. Then I can do some book talks.
A4: At the end of last year, I had Ss compile a list of books that they wished I had in my library.To-buy list!
A4 follow the publishers see what they are promoting, listen to what books authors I love are reading
A5 - We do very informal book talks. "Who's reading something great? Tell us about it." Right at their desks.
Great idea! https://t.co/Jk6ODJ9m6A
A4: At the end of last year, I had Ss compile a list of books that they wished I had in my library.To-buy list!
A5: I have done book talks in the past with my book club members during Teen Read Week. It was one of our events.
A5: I do some booktalks. I post on my board what I'm currently reading.
A2 Bridge to Terrabithia, ,
Here's a great chat/hashtag for you!
A5: I don't do this (yet) but love when people put what they're reading in bios, email sigs
The Bookseller's Day really entices students to read other books and I find some great YA!
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian is a great title for lit circles
great way to ensure that your library is student-centered!
Super smart idea! Were there some common recommendations?
A5)Every single day! I log the ones I plan to do on a calendar. They see me do them each day and then start. Short /sweet.
omg can you explain further?!
I'm planning to add a project similar to this one this semester!
Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Next week's chat: Teaching 2.0 Open Discussion See you on Aug 30 at 8pm EST
I forgot! I've done this w/ my Ss as well! Usually it's for something specific, but same idea!
A5 Starting book talks this yr! Can't wait!
A3: ALA is a great source for searching and lists of many types- also, weirdly, buzzfeed has good book lists at times.
A5: Every English class begins with independent reading. Just seeing what the kids sitting nearby are reading can inspire.
A5: I do pay special attention to titles students bring to class and talk to them about their books.
Can I ask for clarification on this topic? Does it mean teaching w/ with ? Just wondering!
A5 I do book talks at least once a week, but a lot more in the begin of the year. Ss then start recommending to each other.
Great chat! So glad I stopped by! 30 min doesn't seem like enough for me!
you can buy the poster - I did 🤓 then we post our recs around it
If you haven't read I'll give you the sun yet - please do yourself a favor and order it now
Do you have any example trailers to share? Would love to share w/ my Ss!
This sounds cool. Can you explain it a bit?
Are these like peer recommendations?
I was going to ask the same thing! :-)
Some YA titles on list: Alexandria of Africa, Ball Don't Lie, Bifocal, How I live Now, I am Apache, Julie of the Wolves, Habibi
We have a simple chart on the wall called "You Gotta Read This" Ss list their favourites.
Gotta do this! But would be boring right now bc it's research junk! Like Doing Case Study Research - Not very exciting!
More YA titles on my list: Kira Kira, Milkweed, Parvana's Journery, The Breadwinner, The Garbage King, Weedflower, Born Confused
Such a great idea! I'm sure some fams really get into it!
I also LOVED The Sky is Everywhere by
A5 - I use the daily newspaper in the classroom!
is a genius and a poet. I'd follow her anywhere
Great chat tonight! Can't wait to go back through & find new titles for my !
Loved all the book titles and authors! Great ideas!
Oh yes! The little sisters/brothers are especially adorable. I love that it makes reading/books a family affair.
Jumping in late to the chat tonight. Where are we?
Usually I stick the jackets in my desk to keep them safe, but inspired by to display them this year!
OOHHH! I feel a vibe coming...house filled w/excitement at the mention of book-themed movie!
I have yet to get to this one but it's on my this year!
Sorry, but it's over! Only 30 min long
LOL! Thanks! I keep forgetting this is a short one! (First day back to school and all!)
So true! Maybe I'll try it, but I might put my other one - Netnography...much more interesting title & content!
Great, right? I haven't tried this yet, but plan on it. It is via 's class
I added 50+ books to my library this summer. I'm ready for these books to be in the hands of readers. https://t.co/QzhnQOIPYW
Noticed some interest in good YA lit for the classroom. Look into The Maze Runner. My unit (https://t.co/LAZryIYSI5 ) has it all
