ELA Today April 2016
Middle School English Language Arts
It's the 4th Quarter Home Stretch!
As we settle into the final quarter of the school year, we know the pace will pick up tremendously. Unit 4 - Analytic Reading and Writing offers teachers the opportunity to explore a concept that can pair informational and fiction texts, and compare and contrast of texts in different genres. Our writing task require students to analyze literature also through compare and contrast of texts or genre. End-of-Grade testing is on the horizon, as is summer vacation, so why not increase student and teacher engagement with a high interest concept.
Fourth quarter also provides the opportunity to try a best practice you did not get around to earlier. Whatever your PLCs decide, don't forget to include critical thinking questions and activities that engage and challenge our students.
Many schools are in the process of planning their EOG review calendars inclusive of high frequency standards. If your PLCs need assistance, I will be happy to support your work.
I am also working with the math and science specialists to provide Out-of-the-Box PD on engaging ways to review for EOGs. Bring an interesting EOG strategy and Join us on April 27th during Early Release (location is TBD)!
Assessment Specifications give information about each grade level test, including frequently tested standards.
Instructional Strategies
Summarizing
Why plan extensive lessons if our students cannot effectively summarize what was learned? OR, are we including summarizing questions into daily lessons? Take a look at these Summarizing Strategies that can lead back to the objective and/or essential question.
Reading Stamina
This is a quick read on building reading stamina that first begins with our conversations with students.
http://www.scilearn.com/blog/teaching-persistence-how-to-build-student-stamina
Middle School Teacher Institute
April is National Poetry Month!
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK | EDIVATE | MORE STRATEGIES OF THE WEEK
Delicious Poetry for the Classroom
In recognition of National Poetry Month, why not dedicate a poem to your classroom? Even if you teach a subject that doesn’t seem compatible with poetry, providing opportunities for students to read or write poems can cultivate high engagement and learning.
10 Ways to Use Poetry in Your Classroom
Consider these engaging ways to infuse your classroom with poetry this month and beyond:
- Activate prior knowledge
- Establish theme
- Explore language
- Focus on facts
- Set a scene
- Inspire writing
- See new perspectives
- Ignite curiosity
- Provide pleasure
- Capture character
Source: Reading Rockets
Learning Links
The following are professional opportunities available to educators:
Supporting Linguistically Responsive Teaching
LearnZillion
https://learnzillion.com/resources/89142-apply-to-the-2016-dream-team
April is Poetry Month - free poster
Literacy workshop for middle school teachers of Art Ed, ESL, and WL
Sharon Griffith - Literacy Specialist
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
Email: sharon.griffith@dpsnc.net
Phone: (919)560-3687