#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!
Good evening #2ndaryela! I'm Jess, 7th grade writing teacher in Texas. Here's one of my classroom blog posts for you -- Writing Goals for the Classroom https://t.co/fNgYTbLVHv via @JJ_Burry
I use whole class reading most of the time we read. It allows me to feel like they're on task and paying attention. Also, I can explain and point out important things as we go. #2ndaryela
A1: If you mean reading out loud together, we do reader's theater, performances of the plays we are reading, and close reading of short passages. Students often are embarrassed and have issue with it, so I typically ask for volunteers. #2ndaryELA
A1. I believe in balance. There is room and reason for teaching whole-class novels and independent student reading choice. #2ndaryelahttps://t.co/wbCqI5iwek
I have each student's name on a craft stick and call them randomly to read aloud. They read at least a paragraph before I call another. We also stop often to discuss literary elements and focus of the text #2ndaryela
A2: I will stop the class at strategic points and ask questions based on what they have just read. I usually pick popsicle sticks at random so they can't foresee who will go next. #2ndaryELA
Definitely! We used a wordless picture book to practice filling out a plot line. Then, we took that basic story and used it to inspire our own fiction story! They loved it! #2ndaryELA
A2: We use focus questions before reading. They have two questions to think about as they read, and they discuss their answers within groups after they read. #2ndaryELA
A2: I love to use the microphone system in my room & we pass it around the room in a random order. Keeps Ss on track & even my 'shy' readers now laugh when they get to read a bit this way. #2ndaryELA
I am studying to be a teacher. Do you ever have students who do not like that method or does it eliminate embarrassment/ not wanting to read? #2ndaryELA
A3: Occassionally - if I do then there is a specific task to complete asa result of that reading that will be turned in (maybe not graded but turned in) #2ndaryELA
Q2 If you pick amazing novels, the engagement factor is almost not an issue. But I also require all Ss to follow along with a bookmark. I can easily tell if they are off task. #2ndaryEla
I typically only do this if they have a well-defined task with close reading. Today they were looking for rhetoric in a text we've already read together. To keep on task I walk around...a lot #2ndaryela
A3: Sometimes I have them read with partners or in a small group and discuss. There are specific questions that the groups answer and report out to the class. #2ndaryELA
A3 I find group reading works best with dramas when there are clear parts for each person. Students can choose bigger or larger parts based on comfort level #2ndaryELA
A3: I like to mix it up-groups some days & partners others. Ss journal about their reading at least 3xs a week to check for on task work & comprehension. #2ndaryELA
A4: Our school requires every student to read 50,000 words on their own. I feel that it isn't handled well because it turns most kids off and half of the time, other students take the test for them. Just read The Book Whisperer and got great ideas for next year. #2ndaryela
A4: I used to be better about offering independent reading. Now, it mostly occurs with the poetry unit. Students are encouraged to find poems that speak to them. We share with the class, discuss, and then use them as mentor texts. #2ndaryELA
A4: Independent reading occurs as homework unless it is part of an assignment. This is my school's basic policy. Although tomorrow the school is doing a Read-A- Thon all day long! #2ndaryELA
A4 I think it is so important to have a great classroom library. It takes years to compile, but I love playing book matchmaker for my Ss. I am responsible for some wonderful love affairs 😍 #2ndaryEla
This is such a good idea. I can remember being a student and always wanting to know what happened next. This challenges the student and they are interested in what they are reading. #2ndaryELA
A5: Mine have to share with the class and be able to discuss it, so they have to have really read it. The only issue is getting them to find something new that they haven't read in the past. You can't always be sure that is what happened. #2ndaryELA
A5: My Ss keep a book log but it's for their own reference. We do review it at times when I conference w/Ss but it's used for a talking point & they don't earn any grade for this work. #2ndaryELA
All ELA classes and reading classes meet in the gym for the day. Ss cxan miss up to 3 otherf classes by getting pledges. I set up a "camp"...#2ndaryELA
...with a blanket on the floor and all the Ss bring their books and read. I read too. Tomorrow I am going to re-read The Outsiders as this is our 4th qtr. novel. #2ndaryELA
A5: I just finished The Book Whisperer by @donalynbooks and was completely inspired to rethink the way I teach class novels and encourage/interact with my students in their independent reading #2ndaryela
