Tag Archives: students

“Does This Need a Title?”: Helping Students Generate Titles

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

Most English teachers have heard some variation of “Does this need to have a title?” Although it seems like a yes-or-no question, my stock answer is “A title provides an excellent opportunity to set up your readers with some expectations … Continue reading →

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When Young Writers Get “Worse”

Posted on February 8, 2013 by

In most school subjects, the learning is linear and cumulative: Students learn a concept, and then they build on it. And then we add more complexity. But when it comes to acquiring literacy skills, especially in writing, things work differently. … Continue reading →

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First of the Lasts

Posted on January 7, 2013 by

This time of year a certain amount of planning is focused on next year. Well, next year is my last year at the school where I’ve worked for 26 years. So, as we lay the groundwork for next year, it’s … Continue reading →

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Review: BOOK LOVE: DEVELOPING DEPTH, STAMINA, AND PASSION IN ADOLESCENT READERS by Penny Kittle

Posted on December 25, 2012 by

After thirty-plus years in the classroom, I can stand up and teach the heck out of about twenty different novels and plays, complete with class activities, quizzes, writing assignments, and fascinating lecture-ettes. I can do all of this with curricular … Continue reading →

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One Day of Books Around the Room

Posted on December 3, 2012 by

Each day my classes begin with ten minutes of quiet reading. Each student has a self-selected book, and each day those ten minutes are sacred. Here is the list of what my students are currently reading: Clive Barker: In the … Continue reading →

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Review: WORKSHOPS WORK! by Patricia Zaballos

Posted on November 26, 2012 by

Workshops Work! by Patricia Zaballos is an important new contribution to the literature of writing instruction. This book (and e-book) provides guidance for those offering writing workshop experiences for young writers in non-school settings such as tutors, home schoolers, or … Continue reading →

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Marie Lu and LEGEND Come to Town

Posted on August 21, 2012 by

One of my favorite reads this summer was Marie Lu’s Legend, a dystopian novel set in a futuristic Los Angeles. Legend differs from other recent dystopian novels in that it has two appealing main characters, one female and one male, … Continue reading →

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When Students Cheat (And When They Don’t)

Posted on August 7, 2012 by

Academic cheating is not my favorite topic to think, talk, or write about. Too negative. But when cheating surfaces in our schools and classrooms, we’re better off if we know how to approach it and respond. This blog post was jump-started … Continue reading →

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To All New English Department Chairs

Posted on July 27, 2012 by

To All New English Department Chairs, First of all, thank you for taking on such an important, demanding job. You will make decisions that impact the literacy of every student in your school. You are the buffer between the teachers … Continue reading →

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Review: QUIET: THE POWER OF INTROVERTS IN A WORLD THAT CAN’T STOP TALKING by Susan Cain

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain My rating: 5 of 5 stars Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking is a powerful and important … Continue reading →

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