#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 November 1, 2016
Welcome to tonight’s chat! Please introduce yourself. Tell what & where you teach. Share your blog link if you have one.
Welcome Everyone! Kristy, co-host, middle school teacher in Canada. So happy to see everyone. Blog https://t.co/4oVU89UpbB
Don't forget: use on responses & replies to others, label your responses w/A1, A2, & follow anyone chatting with us
Hi team! I'm Lindsey Boevers from north Texas and I teach 5th reading.
Lisa - high school teacher in Massachusetts - big advocate of independent reading!
I'm Brynn Allison, chat co-host. 8 yrs teaching HS English & reading interventions in Philly. Blog: https://t.co/cyx1WlwPgI
I'm Hillary from IN - I teach 8th grade LA 😌
Hi everyone! Sarah Prosser, preservice teacher at Grove City College. Future 8th and 9th grade student teacher
Hello! I’m Sandra from Ontario, Canada. I teach HS English.
check out our FB group to continue the conversation all week long. 2,250+ members & growing! https://t.co/w6efwWilVK
8th grade Pre-AP & on-level ELA + department head at a large district in good ol' Tulsa OK.
Hi all, Angela from Beaufort, SC. Attending a literacy conference this week! Happy!
Cassie from FHS, MO! I teach HS ELA 1 Honors and 3! Last time I ran early - but I'm here for good tonight - and stoked to join!
Paula here. Teach hs at Dodge City, KS
I'm Julie in KS, I've taught for 15 yrs and currently teach 9th gr. ELA
Hey , Julie from KS. Excited to be here! Blog link in profile.
Jennifer from White Lake, MI. Teach 7th grade ELA
Q1: What type of independent reading occurs in your classroom? Teacher or student selected?
A1: Indepn. reading is chosen by Ss but mainly occurs as HW
A1: We do both - Ss sometimes finish a ch. of a class novel at home. They also read 1-2 books of their choice per quarter.
A1 The 6th gr teachers I coach do a mix of S and T selected, the 7th/8th teacher does T selected, paired with science units
A1: We independently read daily - almost 100% is student selected. They get ideas from teacher and peer recommendations.
Would love to participate in chat, but my are on! Will try to tweet at breaks. ❤️⚾️📖
A1 always student selected. I've never heard of teacher selected IR
A1: My kids love student selected reading! I only intervene in selections when I think they're not challenging themselves enough!
Q1: 15 Minutes of silent reading daily. Completely student directed. I have created a class library with some recommendations
Hattie from Novi, MI. A1: ind reading is st choice, at least 10 min in class/day
A1: I use S selected novels for independent reading during which we set individual goals, mix of S/T selected for group work
A1: Student selected, but from a pre-approved teacher list. Always open to outside student choice if they ask permission!
A1 - occurs as HW, but I'm looking for more ways to hold SS accountable for reading. Also, how to get around time constraints 😫
A1 Ss have choice, but there are two assigned novels. Expect them to read at least 3 novels on their own each term.
Q1: Twice a week students select/read books as part of a school-wide program
A2: Mostly teacher-selected, with some allowing a degree of choice. I'm trying to incorporate more student-selected, though!
A1: If we want students to enjoy reading and not see it as a chore, they should choose their own books and be given time to read
A1: Free read Friday's (at least 3x month) all Ss selected. I teach HS in IL.
Q1: When possible, my students do an independent 1st read of the short fiction we study. The 2nd & 3rd reads are chunked in class
Amen! I totally agree with this, 1000 percent! https://t.co/IMhSuAHEGk
A1: If we want students to enjoy reading and not see it as a chore, they should choose their own books and be given time to read
A1 - at my previous school we had the accelerated reader program but it seemed super hard to motivate SS to want to read
Q2: How do you hold students accountable for their independent reading?
Ts, plz fill out short survey to share thoughts of chat as PLN https://t.co/gGsoheIAnC Help w/ research! Share exp!
Ts, plz fill out short survey to share thoughts of chat as PLN https://t.co/gGsoheIAnC Help w/ research! Share exp!
A2 The 6th gr. T use reading logs for HW, which I'm hoping they'll move away from. Also reading conferences
A2: Every week students have to write a brief summary and a reflection journal on the reading that occurred the previous week.
A2: I love doing conf.s with Ss after they read. I also have them write me a note about their books at the end of reading days.
My Ss were thrilled when we dropped AR this year. They're reading so much more now! https://t.co/DLd6rG0zV2
A1 - at my previous school we had the accelerated reader program but it seemed super hard to motivate SS to want to read
Time is my worst enemy; 46 min classes with kids gone a lot for various reasons--so hard to fit in.
A1: My HS Ss read self-selected material, no strings. Share titles/book talks. No logs/points, just growing community of readers.
Q2: One-on-one student/teacher conferences and biweekly "letters" between both teachers and peers. Inspired by
A1 - my SS are doing the global read aloud w/ Orbiting a Jupiter & are loving it. Would love to channel that into their own IR
A2: Unfortunately, my school requires a reading log to be completed during the last 5 min. of IR time.
A1 student choice try to give time each day or every other day
A1: offer menu with talking points they can choose from, host formal book talks the days before vacations.
A2 mostly students write in their reading journal but depending on the unit there are other projects
A2: Use https://t.co/8A5vWlTtgt . Each student has 1 book they're currently reading, 3 to-read, and write reviews when finished
that's about how long mine are too :( it's crazy how fast they go! I like your idea of free read Friday's though 🤓
A2: I find that conferencing with Ss helps make them accountable. It's quickly apparent if a student cannot talk about the book.
Q2: No logs. Started with a reading survey, conference with them if they are struggling to selected a book or off task
A2: My students select a short visual/audio project to go with their independent reading. Or a written project based on unit...
Have them tell me total number of pages at start. Give soft deadline to have finished by
A2: I dont. I tell them life will hold them accountable. Some kids prob take advantage, but I want to read bc they want to
same and I survey them for data to make sure it's worthwhile. It is! Growing !
Love the letters idea for sure! https://t.co/cJySaBvxom
Q2: One-on-one student/teacher conferences and biweekly "letters" between both teachers and peers. Inspired by
A2: We have AR so I have a mid-point progress check where Ss record their progress on a form plus I hang a tracker in the room.
AR isn't for everyone but I loved it. At end of yr. I'd be taking tests up to the last min competing w/another S
A2: Book talks, projects, journal entries, etc. No grades/points. New for me this year.
A1: Student selected & teacher-selected. Try to follow 80/20 suggestion.
A2b: also lots of reading conferences. Just no "points"
Q3: How do you motivate your students to complete independent reading in a timely manner?
A2: My kids love AR for the most part - it's all how it's presented.
That's great! I am new to my school and I have a feeling it wasn't "sold" well. https://t.co/OvWQdIOiT2
AR isn't for everyone but I loved it. At end of yr. I'd be taking tests up to the last min competing w/another S
Voting for awards is open. Have students vote for the books they loved
A3: I try to motivate with my tracker and a claw machine - a trip to the claw if Ss meet goal before deadline!
A2: Book talks, reading notebooks, conferring, small group discussions. We love sharing about our books in room 151!
A3: The best idea I've found so far is just to give Ss time weekly to read in class. I'm looking forward to hearing other ideas!
A3: I regularly review student's reading goals and get very excited when they finish a book this helps them stay motivated.
A3 Conferencing about Ss ind reading, especially if you've also read the book is a motivator, so is keeping a class book count
A3. Book talks and meetings.
A3: interested to hear what Ts say about this!
I think you're right. My Ss saw it as a chore, not something cool or fun. https://t.co/EMG1MYR87q
A2: My kids love AR for the most part - it's all how it's presented.
A3: give them time every day, book talks, share my own reading, read alouds, tbr lists
A3: In FL we have Sunshine State Books - library has a reader reward program with special cards and tags - very popular
A3: I am also starting a class wide reading goal with my students # of students x 10 = books we need to collectively read b4 June
So that is how you are using your claw! I saw your picture of it on IG
A3: I like keeping a "books read" list for us to check in on, then conferring for Ss who seem to "drag their feet" with texts.
Sorry I'm late but I'm going to try to join you for last questions! A3: I just assign reading every night and incorporate SSR
do you have a specific goal sheet?
A3 my students are supposed to read 100 pages a week so depending on what they are reading - timely manner is relative
A2: No assignments. If they are reading silently they get 5pts participation. I tried logs, reports, projects; ditched them all.
A3: Ss are given one period a week to read/work on projects. They like the break from studying - Ss are scared to lose the time!
A2: I asked my Ss to read at least 3 books silently in one semester (must of my Ss have already met this goal or are close)
A3: Setting goals during individual conferences
A3. We have a book challenge based on Olympic type medals....lots of checking in
A3 no book report. They write a book teaser that librarian displays with book. I read for content and gr. Ss are willing to read
The claw is for that and anything extra special - a kid going above and beyond. So fun-lights up and makes noise!
A3: Goodreads is a good motivator in itself... Students track their page progress in books and see where there friends are
A2: Ss select own books for SSR but I asked them to consider challenge
A3 School for adjudicated youth where I will student teach uses AR competitions to earn special privileges & celebration banquets
A3: My Ss are reading so much more this year! They love to brag on a finished book. Book talks, conferences are motivating!
Bahaha.. claw machine...I envisioned it looking menacingly at students https://t.co/HYR6serhWp
A3: I try to motivate with my tracker and a claw machine - a trip to the claw if Ss meet goal before deadline!
A3: two yrs. ago I had a "Book Madness" champ system where Ss read books and tried to convince class their bk was best!
If anybody gives booktalks to your students, how often do you do this? Do you spread them out and feature one book at a time?
Q4: What are some of the best independent reading projects or assignments you use?
LOL - No, just one of those prize machine claws!
50 min so a big sacrifice but our whole dept committed to it about 4 yrs ago. Totally worth trimming out other stuff.
Goal setting has made a huge difference in my classroom! https://t.co/BJvEBVT7hr
A3: Setting goals during individual conferences
Q3: I struggle to get a few Ss settled in to silent reading quickly. Conderence and circulate to keep them on track
I don't do them every day but I do a stack each time. Try to offer a little something for everyone
A4: I found a quote art project on TpT that students love, I also do mini-books sometimes. Usually no big "projects" though.
I give book talks whenever I finish a book. Ss give sometime week of finishing if they choose
I think advertising what we are reading and book talks has really helped create a reading community in my classes
A4: I would like to make a space on the wall for Ss to recommend books to others w/book cover, student selfie, etc.
A4: When I taught MS, Ss did a "literary feast" and brought food that symbolized lit elements in their books. Always fun!
I've done something similar in which SS use to create movie posters w/ actors cast as characters from book
A4. Theme collage with quotes and pics...idea from tpt, but not sure whose. Was free.
A4: Instead of you coming up with the assignment, let your students choose how to show their learning. More creativity, more fun.
Q4: Once knew a T that let Ss paint scenes from their favorite books... all over his class walls & down the hallway!
A4: gave ss option to review books on my blog. Some liked the chance to publish
A4: New teacher! Still learning! Loving the ideas coming in, though, especially the literary theme park! Keep them coming!
A4: My students keep track of their reading journey in their journals. It helps keep them organized. https://t.co/ZVsDcZI6fp
Just started using this with my 9s this semester. Have you had any trouble with bullying on the site? Ss excluding others?
A4: I have always liked the idea of having Ss creating book trailers but I'm not acquainted w/iMovie.
A4: Not my original idea, but it's been very popular with students. Can be adapted to any novel!
https://t.co/A0AlErvjbX
A4: We love projects like this Book Mosaic app smash. ➡️ ➡️ !
Q5: Share some strategies, blog posts or ideas to help other teachers with independent reading in their classroom.
I do one for the class every other week to model the book talks they will be giving at the end of the semester
Mo from IN, friend of 7th ELA
Q4 book teasers and picking a word that represents the book/ character and having kids draw write about it
A4 - right now my SS are writing blog posts about major events happening in & are rly enjoying that - could be used in IR
A4 - also would love toying with the idea of podcasts!
Q4: Book Clubs (I assess the "tickets" Ss bring 2 meetings), writing reviews for Goodreads (I mark 1 review), and book talks
Thanks! It's a great way to review multiple literary elements but still fun for students
A5: Think about what you'd want to read and do afterwards. Don't kill the joy of reading.
Can do with many programs...powtoons, Google presentation, etc
A5 nancie atwell's the reading zone and penny kittles book love are essential reads
A5: If possible, give students comfortable places to sit/lay other than desks: bean bags, body pillows, small rugs, etc.
Point!!!!! https://t.co/E8ZaLui54r
A5: Think about what you'd want to read and do afterwards. Don't kill the joy of reading.
A4: Ive used mosaic style poster where students have to identify novel components (ex. theme, sig. quotes/events/characters, etc)
A5: Find a change of venue! My Ss LOVE reading outside or even just in the hallway! Get out of those desks!
A1: Independent reading has been mostly teacher-assigned this year. Hope to increase student choice in the spring.
Yes, yes, yes https://t.co/KFZl7lAU8d
A5: Find a change of venue! My Ss LOVE reading outside or even just in the hallway! Get out of those desks!
A5: our dept did a book study of 's Readicide. Changed ind reading culture of whole dept
Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Next week's chat: using social media as educators. See you on 11/8 at 8pm EST
A2: We read The Most Dangerous Game. I kept them accountable with reading guide questions as they read.
Connect globally, pair reading with someone from another school, Skype or Hangout to discuss, very motivating
A5: My best strategy is to ask the kids what they like and plan accordingly! :)
Q5: Participate in Twitter Chats (especially , , and ) for ideas and book suggestions.
I try to choose selections that I think they'll find interesting that touch on the standards.
Q5:Have Ss create a Twitter page for character and tweet in role.Ss could also put together a Snap or Insta story for a character
Even mood lighting during free reading time makes it more fun!
A5: Get Ss to take ownership of their reading. I keep modifying my Readers Roundtable and will be using it for small groups soon
Thanks for tonight. Got some stuff to check out
I have a bookshelf with YA & other books in my room that act as a class library. I encourage my students to read in transitions.
I WISH I could totally revamp and refurnish my room, but I'm lucky enough to even have my own classroom
I haven't encountered it. Just wondering. Did A LOT of prep. work with them before setting up accounts
Any ideas, ? https://t.co/lpSDQDmTRC
Looking for ideas for "Into the Wild." Any ideas? Directions to go that follow the book?
I'm giving a presentation on this at the end of the month. I'm very curious to hear what Ts have to say.
Unfortunately many places now monitor furniture (the fire marshal) - no unapproved or personally bought furniture!
