Secondary English Weekly #28
Volume Two, Issue Twenty Eight /March 23-27, 2020
COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS' COVID-19 Information Page
Gifted Print and Digital Resources
Some CCS SECONDARY ENGLISH RESOURCES for Teaching during the COVID-19 Closure
As you continue to make decisions about teaching your students remotely, this list of CCS resources from the ELA 6-12 Website could prove useful.
-On the ELA Strand Resources for Reading, Writing, Language, & Speaking Page/Quick Link), you will find many instruction/process-type documents that can be shared with students who are doing work that may require some additional guidance. Below are a few of those but you will find much more on the page including many writing rubrics and process items.
- Close Reading Guide
- Close Reading Annotation Guide
- Close Reading Annotation Bookmarks
- Close Reading Unlocking Prose
- Close Reading Unlocking Poetry
- Close Reading Unlocking Informational Text
- Close Reading Prose and Poetry Teaching Slides
- Reading Prose Teaching Slides
- Reading Poetry Teaching Slides
- Teaching Theme Video
- Theme vs Topic vs Main Idea
- Theme vs Motif
- Characterization (FAST)
- Characterization (STEAL)
- Symbolism Made Easy
- Plot, Style, and Character Graphic Organizers
- Literary Elements Graphic Organizers
- Great 8 Syntactical Devices
- Big 10 Rhetorical and Literary Devices
- Rhetorical Strategies with Examples
- Rhetorical Device List
- Syntax Exercises-Combining and Paraphrasing
- Generative Sentences Strategy
- Juicy Sentence Guidance (Student Achievement Partners)
- Reading/Analyzing Primary Documents Guide
- Reading Analysis-See Think Wonder Plus Strategy
- Word Pyramids-Text Analysis Tool
- Complete Guide to MLA 8
- Short Time Frame Writing High School
- Short Time Frame Writing Middle School
- EasyBib's Plagiarism Checker
-On both the Curriculum/Instructional Resources 6-8 and Curriculum/Instructional Resources 9-12 Pages/Quick Links you will find novel units that have lessons that can be shared via Google. Many of those also have core texts available for free online*. Here are links to those units. (Be sure to sign into Google with your CCS credentials for full access.)
- Grade 6 A Midsummer Night's Dream Teacher Resource*
- Grade 6 Hello, Universe Teacher Resource
- Grade 7 The Crossover Teacher Resource
- Grade 8 The Taming of the Shrew Teacher Resource*
- Grade 9 Brown Girl Dreaming Teacher Resource
- Grade 10 Othello Teacher Resource*
- Grade 10 Long Way Down Teacher Resource
- Grade 11 The Help Teacher Resource*
- Grade 12 Twelfth Night Teacher Resource*
Click here for a copy of the COVID-19 Secondary English Resources from this Newsletter.
(If you get a message saying the page has moved, try the link again and it should work.)
SOME RESOURCES FROM CCS Vendors for Teaching during the COVID-19 Closure
As you continue to make decisions about teaching your students remotely, this list of CCS vendor resources could prove useful. These vendors have current contracts and valid Data-Sharing Agreements (DSAs) on file.
ACCESS THROUGH CLEVER (ROSTERING INCLUDED)
-COMMONLIT.ORG
Access through Clever at clever.com/in/columbuscity.
This online literacy tool contains literary and informational passages with standard-aligned questions, a guided reading mode for struggling readers, annotation tools, lesson plans, and paired texts among its features. It can be used in the same manner as a textbook. It can also be used for common assessments targeting particular standards, by teachers/buildings for standard mastery diagnoses and monitoring, for simulating state assessments, for finding quality pairings for novels or themes, etc. Principals, department chairs, and curriculum liaisons have access to building-wide data from this tool. Login by selecting the CommonLit Icon through the Clever portal.
CommonLit Webinars for Remote Instruction Sign Up
Tips for Using CommonLit Remotely Blog Post
CommonLit Video Tutorial (Skip the rostering/class set up part because our students are automatically rostered through Clever.)
-MINI-QS FOR LITERATURE
This resource has multiple readings on a topic or question with a culminating writing. It mirrors standardized testing and meets many learning standards. Login by selecting the DBQ Online Icon through the Clever portal.
Each high school teacher/student has access to Mini-Q Volumes 1 & 2 and each middle school teacher/student has access to Mini-Q Volume 3 (Mini-Q Contents) online through Clever (clever.com/in/columbuscity) and one hard-copy binder through the English Chair or ELA Curriculum Liaison for their building. Here are some tutorial videos and PDFs.
- Getting Started with DBQ PDF
- Watch the Getting Started Video!
- DBQ Online Tips PDF
- DBQ Online and Remote Learning
- MiniQs Tutorial for Getting Started through Clever Portal
- MinQs Getting Started for Teachers
- MiniQs Tutorial for Adding Classes and Assignments
- Student Instructions for DBQ Online
- MiniQs Getting Started for Students
- Here is a link to sign up for Webinars. if you can't make these times, please contact ava@dbqproject.com.
-SPRINGBOARD DIGITAL (High School)
This resource gives students online language, writing, & close reading workshops, and Zinc Learning Labs. Login by selecting the SpringBoard/CollegeBoard Icon through the Clever portal.
- Access the SpringBoard Digital program for Columbus City Schools at clever.com/in/columbuscity.
- Springboard created a page for supporting distance and virtual learning in their community—accessible once you've logged in to SpringBoard Digital—to provide support resources, including customizable student-facing directions on how to log in, and so much more. They'll continue to provide additional resources on this page, and encourage you to visit regularly.
- If you have questions related to technology support you can contact Tim Wangler internally or email sbtechsupport@collegeboard.org.
-NEWSELA.COM
Licenses will be live on Monday, March 23rd. Login by selecting the Newsela Icon through the Clever portal.
- Teachers will see that their existing accounts (PRO or free) are automatically updated when they log in – no action necessary for active users.
- Teachers who do not have any type of existing license can get started with these links: Instant access for non-licensed teachers and Getting Started with Newsela toolkit.
- Video: Introducing Newsela ELA
- Video: How Newsela Works: Finding Content in Newsela ELA
- Access: Newsela ELA
- Teachers Can Find Content HERE.
- Teachers can assign the entire collection/text set to their classes (not just individual texts) Teach with Newsela: Text Sets (video) and Text Sets and Collections
- Live Remote Learning Office Hours for educators (schedule/registration HERE).
-ACHIEVE3000
The site contains informational texts for students to read and questions to answer.
Students with licenses can access through Clever clever.com/in/columbuscity using the Achieve3000 Icon. Students without licenses can follow the "Literacy at Home" instructions below.
- Printable pdfs for Grades 2-12
- Literacy at Home (Grades 2-12 without active District-provided licenses)
ACCESS DIRECTLY or THROUGH CLEVER (ROSTERING IS NOT INCLUDED)
-TEACHINGBOOKS.NET
You can access TeachingBooks directly at https://www.teachingbooks.net or click on the Teachingbooks Icon in the Clever portal. Use “columbus” as the username and password, if prompted. This online library of novel and author resources is free to all teachers, librarians, and students. Among the resources are lesson plans, author interviews, videos, text complexity charts, etc. Anything on the site can be shared with students and parents in varied ways such as Google Classroom, QR code, email, or bookmark.
- Experience 12,000+ read-along audiobook performances
- Explore book trailers, Meet-the-Author recordings, and more
- Support assignments about books and author studies
- Note to teachers and ready-to-use activities
- Cut & Paste virtual teaching ideas
- TeachingBooks Video Tutorial (This tutorial focuses on accessing the lists of novels available in both the CCS warehouse and the 6-12 ELA curriculum office which are not so helpful for remote learning, but the video could prove useful for simply accessing the site, if you have not been there before.)
ACCESS BY REQUEST
-AP TEXTS
Bedford, Freeman & Worth Bedford is offering a ninety-day free ebook access for any BFW title with online and offline access. No internet is required after download.
GOOGLE TUTORIALS
- Google Classroom/Google Classroom for eLearning
- Google Docs
- Google Forms
- Google Hangouts Chat
- Google Hangouts Meet
- Google Slides
- G Suite Learning Center
- Google Education-School Closure Page
GOOGLE EXTENSIONS/ADD-ONS
- Kaizena.com Kaizena Add-on (Kaizena for distance learning Webinar Registration) Recorded Feedback for student work
- WriQ Extension (WriQ for Distance Learning) Essay Grader with Grammar Check
Click here for a copy of the COVID-19 Secondary English Resources from this Newsletter.
(If you get a message saying the page has moved, try the link again and it should work.)
Some Online Resources for Teaching during the COVID-19 Closure
As you continue to make decisions about teaching your students remotely, this list of online, non-CCS resources could prove useful. If you opt to use these resources, you should be aware of these requirements and best practices for Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services from the U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Be sure to not share or post any students’ personally identifiable information (PII) when registering, rostering, or using any of these non-CCS edtech resources. This consideration should extend when encouraging students to add unvetted Chrome extensions that request extensive permissions for access to students’ Google Drives.
ACCESS DIRECTLY
- ABDO eBook Collection
- ACT Academy K-12 Classroom Assessments, Homework, Videos, Lesson Plans
- Achieve the Core.org ELA / Literacy Lessons
- Annenberg Invitation to World Literature 9-12 This is a multimedia series introducing drama, epic poetry, and novels from many times and cultures.
- Annenberg Learner Interactive Spelling Bees Contestants in Grades 1-8 will listen to three stories, one at a time, and then spell words from each story. Students in high school will listen to separate sentences and then spell the words from each sentence.
- Annenberg Voices and Visions 6-12 The lives and works of 13 renowned American poets are interpreted through dramatic readings, archival photographs, dance, performances, and interviews in this inspiring series.
- Audible Stories Audiobooks for preschoolers through teens.
- Belouga Using CLAI (Curiosity, Learning, Action, Impact), Belouga provides real-world learning initiatives followed by action items where learning can create impact.
- EBLI Nonfiction Read Aloud (Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson)
- EReading Worksheets This site has high-quality reading worksheets, activities, and resources aligned with State Standards that uses a skill-focused approach.
- EdCite.com Ready-To-Use Item Bank with 180,000+ Items!
- Edji Interactive, shared online readings with six different comment types
- EdReady Diagnostics & Learning Paths for ACT/SAT/College Readiness
- Edulastic Assessment Bank (Some schools have access through Clever)
- EdWord EasyCorrect Helps teachers save time and standardize feedback comments in Word or Google Docs written assignments.
- Empatico Virtually connect with classrooms across the world
- Engage NY Units Grade 9 Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Engage NY Units Grade 10 Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Engage NY Units Grade 11 Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Engage NY Units Grade 12 Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills.
- EssayJack Practice essay writing through templates.
- Expeditionary Learning Units Grade 6 Curriculum lesson plans and supporting materials for six units.
- Expeditionary Learning Units Grade 7 Curriculum lesson plans and supporting materials for six units.
- Expeditionary Learning Units Grade 8 Curriculum lesson plans and supporting materials for six units.
- FiveAble Free AP Eam Preparation
- FreeRice Vocabulary Practice & Free Rice to World Food Programme
- Game On Middle School These games will help middle school students explore writing and word meanings as well as encourage critical thinking in reading.
- Game On High School These games and activities for high school students help expand vocabulary as well as provide practice for reading and writing skills.
- Great Minds Knowledge-Building ELA Video Lessons for Grades 6-8
- HippoCampus & NROC English Composition Lessons
- Institute for Excellence in Writing Three-week program for writing, grammar, vocabulary, and poetry
- Lightbox 1000 PK-12 eBooks
- Membean Multimodal vocabulary instruction with Adaptive Reinforcement
- MI Write Writing practice tools
- Mozi Writing Platform with Scaffolds
- myShakespeare Free, online, media-rich, mobile-friendly Shakespeare plays.
- NoRedInk Writing & Grammar Practice (Guide to using NoRedInk during extended school closures; NRI Daily QuickWrite Challenge; mix-and-match activities; self-directed learning guide)
- Odell Education Core Proficiencies Grades 6-12 These English Language Arts /Literacy Units empower students with reading complex texts closely to analyze textual details and deepen understanding.
- Poetry Reincarnations Virtual movies of poets reciting their poems
- Prestwick House Free Lessons Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading Lessons
- Project Gutenberg 60,000+ ebooks
- Quill.org Writing & Grammar Practice (free Premium version)
- Rare Historical Photos Stories behind historical photos
- ReadTheory Free adaptive reading comprehension learning platform
- ReadWorks Nonfiction and literary articles with reading comprehension and vocabulary supports, formative assessments, & teacher guidance
- Rockstar Writers Mini-Lesson Videos
- Rosen Reading Access to hundreds of ebooks
- Schmoop Access to study guides, videos, test prep, Shakespeare translator, etc.
- TeachRock Free inter-disciplinary lesson plans rooted in Rock songs
- UnboundEd Curriculum Units/Lessons Grades 6-8 Four modules at each grade level that provide instruction on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and performance tasks.
- UnboundEd Curriculum Units/Lessons Grades 9-12 Four modules at each grade level that provide instruction on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and performance tasks.
- Virtual Tours Cultural tours of museums, plays, parks, etc.
- Vocabulary.com Vocabulary Lists and Games
- Vocabulary Roots Online Greek/Latin Practice Grade-level Practice with Greek/Latin Roots
- VocabularyPowerPlus.com Grade-Level Vocabulary Practice
- Writing Legends Writing instruction with motivations and scaffolds
- Write the World Free writing platform for teens ages 13-18
VIDEO CONFERENCING/MESSAGING/RECORDING & LEARNING MANAGEMENT TOOLS
- Adobe Connect Virtual meetings-free for 90 days
- AirDeck.co Create narrated PowerPoint, Keynote, and PDF presentations. Use code FRIENDS for free version.
- Avaya Spaces Enables people and organizations to connect and collaborate remotely
- Canvas Learning management platform
- Cisco WebEx Plan and teach your class virtually-Once on link, scroll down to WebEx for Teachers section for step-by-step instructions.
- EdConnect Use video-based messaging to engage with students.
- Edmodo Distance learning with webinars
- Flipgrid Recording and sharing short videos
- Free 8x8 Video Meetings Secure, fully-featured and free video conferencing using Chrome browser or Mac/Windows Desktop App
- Genially Animated, interactive presentations, infographics, videos, gamification, etc. with templates
- Google Classroom for eLearning Online learning management
- Google Hangouts Video call, phone, or message
- Loom Create teaching videos
- Mentimeter Create interactive presentations & meetings
- Prezi Video Create videos with both content and teacher on screen simultaneously
- Remind Two-way messaging
- Retrieve Virtual teaching system
- Screencastify Record, edit, and share screen captured videos.
- Skype Virtual communication
- TalkingPoints Messaging with automatic language translation
- TeacherTube Record & upload lessons.
- Webroom Instant & free virtual room
- WeVideo Free WeVideo for School accounts (not individual)
- Zoom Host virtual meetings
Note: Some of these are free and the others offer a free trial.
Click here for a copy of the COVID-19 Secondary English Resources from this Newsletter.
(If you get a message saying the page has moved, try the link again and it should work.)
Third Quarter Grades (message from the department of accountability)
CORWIN'S FREE MONDAY WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES
Where Equity Fits In to PLC+ Monday, March 23, 2020 - 6:30pm, Presented by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
NOVEL CONVERSATIONS SEASON 6
Novel Conversations, a fan-favorite podcast about classic literature, is returning for its sixth season! Even though you’ve all studied and re-studied the classics, it can sometimes be nice to hear a familiar story. Get ready for some nostalgia as they visit the classics once again in these podcast retellings. Join them this Tuesday anew episodes.
Episode 2: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884) March 24
Newsela for Distance Learning Webinar
ZOOM WEBINAR: Newsela for Distance Learning: Hosted by the ESC of Central Ohio
Tuesday, March 24th
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
ELA WEBINAR FOR AP ENGLISH TEACHERS FROM BEDFORD
-AP® Literature: AP® Updates and What We’ve Learned So Far
Hosted by: Larry Scanlon and Kate Cordes ; Wed, March 25 at 6-7PM
Learn how to make the most of the final months leading up to the AP® Literature exam with authors Kate Cordes and Larry Scanlon. They will talk about how to utilize your own units/assessments or AP® Classroom’s progress checks to determine students' strengths and weaknesses. This webinar will cover helpful texts that target the skills most often emphasized in the new CED. Finally, Kate and Larry will share ways students can use the new rubrics to fine tune literary analysis essays and ways you, the teacher, can use the rubrics to provide student feedback.
You may register for the Webinars by visiting https://go.bfwpub.com/BFW-webinar-registration.html.
SIGN UP FOR NCTE VERSE!
You won’t want to miss the 2020 #NCTEverse email series, an NCTE members-only professional learning opportunity! You’ll receive an email each weekday starting March 30 that focuses on a poet and shares resources for how to bring that poet's works into the classroom. The best part of this year’s series: NCTE members have again selected the poets they’re teaching in their classrooms and curated the resources! They’ll be celebrating more than 20 poets, the majority of them contemporary and up-and-coming. SIGN UP
Apply to Teach Summer School or Summer Design Thinking Enrichment Experience
MIDDLE SCHOOL: DESIGN THINKING ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCE
This year, students in Grades 6-8 will be offered a summer enrichment experience and the summer school office is looking for teachers.
Program DescriptionThe Design Thinking Enrichment Experience will immerse middle school students in a 6-week, collaborative experience focused on interdisciplinary, problem-based learning opportunities. Building skills for college and career success, students will learn to think like researchers, designers, entrepreneurs, and communicators. This is a hands-on enrichment experience that will help propel students to greater academic success. Students will be organized in cohorts of no more than 20 students. Applicants will leverage their knowledge and interest in these topics more than their specific license. All CCS employees are encouraged to apply, regardless of license or certification.
Students will participate in design challenges based on one of these themes, with one theme at each site:
- Robotics — Students will navigate a problem and provide solutions that involve the use of robotics, creating machines that can replicate and substitute human action.
- Aviation/Drones — Students will design solutions to a problem related to aviation. Students will design, build and fly missions with unmanned aerial vehicles.
- eSports/Gaming — Students will explore the business side of eSports (organized video game competitions for profit) including determining content, marketing, and research and development.
- Techno Fashion — Students will virtually design clothing.
- Culinary/Food Science — Students will study problems in relation to food shortages/insecurities, or plan for opening a food truck.
- 3D Modeling — Students will explore a problem and use computer-assisted 3D printing software to design prototypes.
- Medical — Students will design solutions to problems with a medical or health-related theme.
- Participate in professional development through the 3-week online P3 (Problems + Projects + Products) Applied course through the PAST Foundation. P3 is a combination online (using Basecamp platform and weekly virtual meetings through Zoom) and workshop course focused on learning through a specific learning lens. (March 23-April 10; Onsite workshop at PAST on April 25 from 9am-1pm) -This professional learning program will assist in the development of the summer design thinking enrichment experience. It will introduce you to P3 Applied: Design Thinking that focuses on design-thinking, relevant problem articulation, collaboration and pre/post data collection. You will be introduced toProblem-Based Learning and applied learning through hands-on activities and design thinking. Taking theory to practice, the course will hep you build your lessons around one fo the 7 themes above to engage students in innovation and critical thinking.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in face-to-face meetings to develop the curriculum and activities (extended time compensation provided) (Varied times based on your team, with face-to-face workshop at Southland Center on May 14 from 4-7pm)
- Optional onsite observation of student programming at the PAST Foundation (June 1-5)
- Facilitate daily student learning in a classroom environment for up to 20 students (June 15-July 23, 2020; Monday-Thursday; 8:00 am - 1:00 p.m.)
- Concierge's Service with one-on-one support from PAST (March-July)
- Thoughtfully plan lessons and implement specific strategies to meet the needs of all students, providing extra support, enrichment, or variation of work when necessary.
- High-level understanding of 21st century learning including: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, technology literacy, flexibility, initiative, and productivity
- Deep knowledge of learning standards, effective instructional strategies, and assessment-driven instruction.
- Effective written, verbal, and technology-based communication skills.
- Skilled in the use of Google Apps for Education
- Passion for their selected topic.
- Demonstrate the ability to model, deliver, and craft rich student-centered learning experiences around design thinking.
- Demonstrate the ability to create and implement strategies for weaving design thinking experiences into multi-disciplinary curricula from grades 6 through 8.
- Demonstrate responsibility and punctuality.
- Contribute to a harmonious school atmosphere by working cooperatively with all colleagues.
- Display flexibility in responding to new situations and expectations, a positive attitude and a helpful, nonjudgmental demeanor.
- Be comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
- Show willingness to consider and implement suggestions for improvement.
- Approach work with a sense of possibility and see challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving.
- Take the initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
teach any subject and have any license
HIGH SCHOOL: FACE-TO-FACE 9TH GRADE COURSES; VCAP 10TH-12TH GRADE COURSES
High School School Face-to-FacePositions: English 9, World History, Physical Science, Integrated Math 1, Spanish 1, Physical Education,
High School VCAP Posiitons; VCAP English, VCAP Math, VCAP Science, VCAP Social Studies, VCAP Health, VCAP Fine Arts, VCAP Physical Education, and VCAP Technology
APPLICATION
Teachers please click link below to apply (Use your iLead username and password):
http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/summerschool20
(Note: For the middle school summer experience, the aviation and drones options will be the same option, and there is a techno fashion option not listed that is available.)
Instructional Assistants please use a CCS District Computer to complete your application. Please click the link below to apply:
Call for Middle School Student Voice and Visuals--$25 Amazon Gift Cards for Accepted Entries
The Association for Middle Level Education is updating our foundational position paper (previously titled This We Believe), that identifies the characteristics of successful middle schools. This critical document serves as the centerpiece of exceptional middle schools around the world that are focused on shaping the best possible educational experiences for their students ages 10 to 15. They’re interested in bringing student voice and visuals to the new edition of the book, and they need your help. They’re seeking student submissions as follows:
- A testimonial Students can write a statement of 1000 characters or less in response to one or two prompts:
- How has a teacher, principal, or other adult in your school had a positive influence on or encouraged you?
- What’s your favorite thing about middle school?
- Two-dimensional art
This can be any type of artwork including, but not limited to, watercolor, pencil, oil painting, photography, and digital images. The art should express the energy and culture of your middle school and should be submitted as a high-resolution photo or .jpg image. The art should be accompanied by a statement from the student about the inspiration for the art (1-4 sentences). - A reflective poem.
We’re seeking a poem either about the student, about an adult they appreciate at the school, or about their experiences in middle school.
Each student whose quote, art, and/or poetry is featured in the new book will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and their work will be displayed on AMLE.org and at the #AMLE20 Annual Conference, November 12-14, in National Harbor, MD. Teachers need to be prepared to submit the art as a high resolution photo in .jpg or .eps format. Poems can be submitted as .doc or .pdf files. Submissions are due by May 15, 2020. In August 2020, you and your students will be notified if their entries are selected for inclusion in the new book.
Submit an Entry HERE.
What Will You Run For? Create Change Scholastic Student Essay Contest for Grades 7-12
Inspire students to take civics into the real world by researching and writing a 2- to 3-page persuasive essay about how they can address a community issue by running for office.
STUDENT PRIZES: Three (3) Student Winners from grades 7–8 and three (3) from grades 9–12 will each receive a $1,000 grant and a new laptop to empower them as they enact community change.
TEACHER PRIZES: Teachers of the winning students will each receive a $500 gift card for use in their classroom!
Deadline: March 29, 2020 LEARN MORE
Book Day (Children's Day) is April 30th
Founded by author and poet Pat Mora, Children’s Day, Book Day is a year-long commitment celebrating the importance of bookjoy. It was inspired by the Mexican traditional holiday El día del niño (The Day of the Child): Mora thought, “We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We need kids’ day too, but I want to connect all children with bookjoy, the pleasure of reading.” There's no better time to celebrate children reading. Check out our toolkit featuring reading resources, NCTE position statements, and printer-friendly posters/bookmarks. NCTE will also be having an online discussion focused on the joy of reading, to be paired with book giveaways, for the first 25 days in April! LEARN MORE
return borrowed novels to the curriculum office when you finish with them
If you borrowed from the curriculum office and have finished with them, please return those to get them back into circulation. You can send them to Southland Center, Suite 125 to the attention of Carla Mae Phillips, or email Carla Mae Phillips (cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us) to arrange for them to be picked up from your school.
HERE ARE SOME RECENT ARTICLES FOR YOUR PERUSAL
- Which Text Levels Should We Teach With?
- If We Want Bookworms, We Need to Get Beyond Leveled Reading
- How to develop a culture of reading
- We need to change our high-school students’ expectations about teacher feedback
- A preteen brain was a terrible thing to waste
- A Handy Strategy for Teaching Theme
- I've Been Teaching Online for Years. Here's How to Prevent Burnout During a School Closure
- Teacher Confessional: A View of the Coronavirus From Cleveland
- "Mental distancing" became the new "social distancing"
- 12 ways to stay connected during social distancing
- When Schools Shut Down, We All Lose
- A proximity app was launched to counter the coronavirus
- What Teachers in China Have Learned in the Past Month
- The psychology of toilet paper hoarding was explained
- Quiz Yourself: What Does Census Data Tell Us About Education in the U.S.?
- Spring test dates adjusted for SAT, ACT
- Speaking Up on Teen Stress
- Simple Metacognitive Strategies to Help Anxious Learners Succeed
12TH ANNUAL CCS DISTRICT POETRY SLAM-REGISTRATION DUE FRIDAY
The 2020 CCS District Poetry Slam will be held on Saturday, April 25, 5-9p.m. at Eastmoor Academy High School. Download and Complete this POETRY SLAM REGISTRATION to get your school into the competition! Schools do not have to have a full team in order to compete. Download the POETRY SLAM FLIER to post around your school and community.
Middle School Poetry Slam Rules
1. Each middle school may bring a total of eight (8) poets.
2. Each middle school will have four slots or times to perform (four individual and/or group poems total).
3. The same rules apply as in the high school slam:
a. No props, costumes, instruments, or music.
b. There is a three minute time limit with a ten second grace period.
4. No poet may perform in more than two poems. (For instance, a poet may perform one individual poem and one group poem, or perform in two group poems.)
5. Group poems may not have more than six (6) poets on stage at once.
6. Poets may bring their typed poem up on stage. There will be a music stand for their use.
7. Poems must be school appropriate.
High School Poetry Slam Rules
1. Each high school may bring a total of six (6) poets.
2. Each high school will have four individual slots or times to perform (four poems total—one per poet).
3. The same rules apply as in the middle school slam:
a. No props, costumes, instruments, or music.
b. There is a three minute time limit with a ten second grace period.
4. Poets may bring their typed poem up on stage. There will be a music stand for their use.
5. Poems must be school appropriate.
Optional High School Group Poetry Rules
There will be an optional group poem competition for the high school slam. Group poems follow the same rules as above, but schools may only have up to six poets on stage. The high school group poems will be performed prior to intermission.
Judging
There are five judges who will score the poems on a scale of 0-10 (out to one decimal point). The scores are not shown to the audience (which is different than a traditional slam).
Trophies and Medals will be awarded for each of the following:
“Sandy Cox” Memorial Trophy-Winning High School Team
CCS Middle School Trophy-Winning Middle School Team
Medals-Top Three Middle and High School Teams
Medals-Top Three Middle and High School Poets
Medals-Top High School Group Poem
Deadline to Register is March 27th. After the March 27th deadline, we will open up the slam to other districts in central Ohio. Please your registration and $25 entry fee to Slam Coordinator Wyk McGowan at Eastmoor Academy and Contact him with any questions. 614.804.5535 or wmcgowan8259@columbus.k12.oh.us.
2020 ROY BRISCOE JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP-APPLICATION NOW OPEN
Columbus City Schools is pleased to announce the 2020 Roy Briscoe Journalism Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding senior who plans to pursue the study of journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field in college. The scholarship was established in memory of news anchor Roy Briscoe by his family and WBNS-TV. Briscoe anchored the 10TV news from 1960-1989.
Applicant Requirements:
-Student must be a graduating senior who will pursue a career in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field in college.
-Student GPA should be 3.0, but a range will be considered after examining other factors.
-Student must document community service, extracurriculars, work experience, and need.
-Student must include a portfolio of his/her best work demonstrating excellence in journalism or communications.
-Student must include a recommendation from his/her English, speech, photography, creative writing, newspaper, or yearbook teacher/advisor.
-After applying, selected students will be asked to present their portfolios to a panel of judges.
-A stipulation will be made that the student will still be eligible for other scholarship money.
-Scholarship money will be paid to the winning student’s four-year college after receiving evidence of enrollment.
Contest Timeline:
Now-April 27, 2020: Students submit applications to Carla Mae Phillips, Southland Center, Suite 125, Columbus, OH 43207, or cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us with Roy Briscoe Scholarship in the Subject Line.
April 28-May 8th: Judges meet to screen applicants and select those who will present their
portfolios and be interviewed and Selected students are interviewed.
May 11-15: Winner is announced and Award is presented to winner.
Application (You can use either version):
Google Doc Application (make digital copy to fill it in). PDF Application (download to fill it in).
TEACHER PD OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTESTS
SOME CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS
-TEACHINGBOOKS BLOG MARCH GIVEAWAYS
-BULKBOOKSTORE MYSTERY GIFT BAG GIVEAWAY
-BULKBOOKSTORE $500 MONTHLY GIVEAWAY
-WE ARE TEACHERS CONTEST/GIVEAWAYS
SEE THIS WEEK'S OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TOP OF THE NEWSLETTER
CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES
TINY TEACHING STORIES
Teachers’ lives are packed with powerful moments: moments of triumph, frustration, absurdity, joy, revelation, and hilarity. Education Week wants to hear about them. Submit your Tiny Teaching Story, in no more than 100 words, here. See examples below.
FIELD BIBLIOGRAPHERS: CONTRIBUTE TO THE MLA INTERNATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
The MLA is currently seeking new field bibliographers. The primary responsibility of bibliographers is to record the bibliographic information of scholarly documents and to define their subject, content, and form. Field bibliographers for the MLA International Bibliography perform an important service for the profession and receive institutional recognition while deepening their knowledge of the field, sharpening their research skills, and exploring new areas of inquiry. Learn more.
UPCOMING MARCH OPPORTUNITIES
TEACHINGBOOKS: COLLABORATE, CUSTOMIZE, COMMUNICATE
Tuesday-March 31 at 12:00 pm
Register HERE for the TeachingBooks Webinar.
APRIL OPPORTUNITIES
2020–2023 MLA BIBLIOGRAPHY FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: April 1
The MLA International Bibliography is accepting applications for three-year field bibliography fellowships. MLA field bibliographers examine scholarly materials and submit bibliographic and indexing information for citations in the Bibliography. Open to all MLA members, including graduate students. Learn more.
AMLE CONFERENCE 2020-CALL FOR PRESENTATION (DEADLINE EXTENDED)
The #AMLE20 Call for Presentations is open! Submit your innovative classroom or school practice for a chance to present at #AMLE20 in National Harbor, Maryland. Submissions for all session formats are due April 5.
CORWIN'S FREE MONDAY WEBINAR SERIES FOR APRIL
Corwin's free Monday Webinar Series will continue through June. Below are the offerings and registration links.
Beautiful Questions in the Classroom: Transforming Classrooms into Cultures of Curiosity and Inquiry Monday, April 6, 2020 - 6:30pm, Presented by Warren Berger and Elise Foster
TEACHINGBOOKS WEBINARS FOR APRIL
Register HERE for any of the TeachingBooks Webinars listed below.
Text Complexity: Join the Conversation
Thursday- April 16 at 11:30 pm -Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
Listen to Authors: A Springboard to Writing
Tuesday-April 21 at 1:00 pm
NOVEL CONVERSATIONS
Novel Conversations, a fan-favorite podcast about classic literature, is returning for its sixth season! Join them every other Tuesday for brand new episodes.
Episodes:
Ep. 3: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969) April 7
Ep. 4: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850) April 21
NCTE EARLY CAREER EDUCATOR OF COLOR LEADERSHIP AWARD
Deadline: April 15
This program supports early career teachers of color as they build accomplished teaching careers in literacy education. Practicing preK to university-level literacy educators of color who are in the first five years of a paid teaching career and who aspire to build a career in literacy education are eligible to apply. Learn more.
CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS
English Leadership Quarterly is excited to announce a two-part Call for Manuscripts. The 2020 April and August editions will concentrate on equity in the language arts classroom. The April issue will focus on curriculum that reaches and represents all learners; in August, the emphasis will move to pedagogy that supports equitable practice in the classroom. Check out the submission guidelines and join the conversation! Contact editor Elaine Simos with questions at elq@ncte.org. Submit here. Deadline: April 20
OHIOANA BOOK FESTIVAL 2020—POSTPONED
Since its inception in 2007, the Ohioana Book Festival has given readers the opportunity to connect with their favorite Ohio writers. Held each spring, the Festival welcomes roughly 100 authors and more than 3,000 visitors every year.
The 2020 Book Festival will be held Saturday, April 25, 2020 from 10:30a.m.-5:00p.m. at Columbus Metropolitan Public Library’s Main Library at 96 S. Grant Avenue Columbus, OH 43215. It is a FREE event open to the public, no registration required.
ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION WEBINAR
Daily/Weekly/Big Dog - A Framework for Including Writing In Any Content Area
Presented by Lori Wilfong
Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 4–5pm ET
Mention writing to a non-ELA teacher and the first thing that often comes to mind is "report" or "essay." Join AMLE and Lori Wilfong to think about daily and weekly writing strategies that anyone can implement to ensure that writing is happening in fun, easy, and natural ways across all content areas!
NOMINATE A MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATOR FOR THE AMLE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
The AMLE Educator of the Year (previously known as the Distinguished Educator Award) is an annual award given by the Association for Middle Level Education. This award recognizes outstanding practitioners in middle level education—those who have made an impact on the lives of young adolescents with a significant body of work and have advanced the field of middle level education through leadership, vision, and advocacy.
Selection Criteria
- Candidate must have five or more years of practical application, implementation, influence, or involvement in middle level education at the local level and the state or national level.
- Candidate must be employed in the field of middle level education on a full-time basis.
- Candidate must be a current professional or school member of the Association for Middle Level Education and is encouraged to be a member of the state/local affiliate.
- Current AMLE staff, Board of Trustees, and selection committee members are not eligible for this award. Past Lounsbury Award and former AMLE Educator of the Year winners also are not eligible.
To Nominate a Candidate
- Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by colleagues or members of the community. If you nominate a candidate, please notify them of their nomination.
- Complete the AMLE Educator of the Year form by April 30 for consideration during the current year.
MAY + OPPORTUNITIES
CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS
The English Journal editors welcome submissions for the following themed issues:
The Play’s the Thing–Deadline: May 1
Sounds of Music and Language Arts–Deadline: July 1
Poetry: Muses and Musing–Deadline: September 1
Learn more information here.
THE AMLE COLLABORATION MINI-GRANT
Sponsored by the AMLE Foundation Fund
Collaboration is a key concept in the successful education of young adolescents. This broad concept includes collaboration between teams, collaboration between a team and exploratory, collaboration with parents, collaboration with community agencies, collaboration with another school, and collaboration within the student body.
The Association for Middle Level Education Foundation Fund is awarding two $3,000 Collaboration Mini-Grants in 2020 to middle school educators who have taken leadership roles in developing collaborative projects both within and outside of schools. Recipients of this grant will receive funds to enhance an existing collaborative program or to institute a proposed program. Recipients will be recognized at the AMLE Annual Conference and must present about their collaborative project at a concurrent session. Each grant winner will receive one complimentary conference registration and up to $1000 of the award funds can be used to defray the expense of attending the AMLE conference. Any professional member or school that has been an AMLE member for 12 months or more may apply. To download the application and view submission criteria, visit amle.org/collaboration. Applications are due May 1, 2020.
NOVEL CONVERSATIONS
Novel Conversations, a fan-favorite podcast about classic literature, is returning for its sixth season! Join them every other Tuesday for brand new episodes.
Episodes:
Ep. 5: Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy (1895) May 5
Ep. 6: The Red Pony by John Steinbeck (1933) May 19
Ep. 7: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925) June 2
Ep. 8: Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis (1956) June 1
TEACHINGBOOKS WEBINARS FOR MAY
Register HERE for any of the TeachingBooks Webinars listed below.
Authors’ Stories and Diverse Perspectives
Tuesday-May 5 at 1:00 pm
Text Complexity: Join the Conversation
Thursday- May 12 at 11:30 pm - I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Center Stage with Reader’s Theater
Tuesday-May 19 at 1:00 pm
OHIO COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (OCTELA) ELA AWARDS
Do you know an outstanding teacher? Nominate that teacher for the OCTELA ELA Awards.
Nominations are now being accepted for the Outstanding English Language Arts Awards given every year at the OCTELA Conference. Awards are given in elementary, middle school, secondary, college, and special distinction categories (librarian, curriculum coordinator, ESC, writing center coordinator, etc.). To nominate someone, either download and print the nomination form or submit your nomination online. Nominations are due by May 18, 2020.
CORWIN'S FREE MONDAY WEBINAR SERIES FOR MAY AND JUNE
Corwin's free Monday Webinar Series will continue through June. Below are the offerings and registration links.
Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!): Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Monday, May 11, 2020 - 6:30pm, Presented by Benjie Howard and Wade Antonio Colwell
Building a Curious School Monday, June 1, 2020 - 6:30pm, Presented by Bryan Goodwin
NCTE/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE TEACHER AWARDS
Deadline: May 31
This is the second year that NCTE is partnering with Penguin Random House to offer the Lifelong Readers and the Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry to educators. The submission form is open for 2020. Learn more.
JULIA E. BERRY RESEARCH AWARD
Deadline: June 1
First Award Given in 2020—Julia E. Berry, an NCTE member, gave a $10,000 bequest to NCTE for the purposes of establishing an award to further her interest in, as specified in her will, Careers of English Majors.
The Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors supports NCTE members in the teaching, learning, and application of literacy learning. The Berry Research Award provides research support for an NCTE member(s) who propose(s) a research project that studies “the careers of English Majors and/or the role and function of English in career development.” This award will also support the study of the impact of the English language in the broadest of senses as well as literacy-related majors such as writing studies, linguistics, and English education. Learn more.
ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION SUMMER INSTITUTE
Middle Level SEL Institute June 18-19
Make plans today to attend this middle-school-focused event at National Louis University, in downtown Chicago, Illinois, designed with in-depth sessions and learning experiences to build exceptional SEL practices in your school community.
Featuring:
- National experts and local thought leaders
- Unique session formats including small-group learning, job-alikes, and interactive breakouts
- Opportunities to earn 16 contact hours and graduate credit
- Connections to new resources and services
CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS
The Voices from the Middle editorial team has two calls left in their term. Click on the links here to find out more and add your voice!
- March 2021 I Used To ..., But Now I ...–Deadline: June 1
- May 2021 Mic Drop–Deadline: August 1
ESC OF CENTRAL OHIO HOSTS GO DEEP CONFERENCE INSPIRED BY HARVARD PROJECT ZERO RESEARCHERS
The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio is working with researchers from the Project Zero team to host the Go Deep Conference, June 17-18, on the campus of the New Albany-Plain Local School District in New Albany.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION 2020 CONFERENCE-FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF LITERACY!
October 15–18 | Columbus, OH
Register Today and See More Information at https://literacyworldwide.org/conference/
FORWARD-THINKING SPEAKERS with real-life inspiration & ideas
Jasmyn Wright, Nell K. Duke Allister Chang, and Stephen G. Peters
1. Forward-thinking ideas from speakers making a difference through their work.
2. Professional development in a variety of formats—choose your learning style!
3. Access to the latest research in literacy instruction throughout the conference.
4. After-hours social and networking events to explore the local literacy scene.
5. The chance to be a part of the conversation about shaping the future of literacy.
DID YOU MISS EARLIER ISSUES OF THE SECONDARY ENGLISH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER?
- March 16-20, Issue 27
- March 9-13, Issue 26
- March 2-6, Issue 25
- February 24-28, Issue 24
- February 17-21, Issue 23
- February 10-14, Issue 22
- February 3-7, 2020, Issue 21
- January 27-31, Issue 20
- January 20-24, Issue 19
- January 13-17, Issue 18
- January 6-10, Issue 17
- December 16-January 3, Issue 16
- December 9-13, Issue 15
- November 25-December 6-Issue 14
- November 18-22-Issue 13
- November 11-15-Issue 12
- November 4-8- Issue 11
- October 28-November 1-Issue 10
- October 21-25-Issue 9
- October 14-18-Issue 8
- October 7-11-Issue 7
- September 30-October 4-Issue 6
- September 23-27-Issue 5
- September 16-20-Issue 4
- September 9-13-Issue 3
- September 2-6-Issue 2
- August 22-30-Issue 1
Carla Mae Phillips
Southland Center, Suite 125
Email: cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/English6-12
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, 43207, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0463