Secondary English Weekly #34
Issue Thirty-Four / May 13-17, 2019
END OF YEAR REQUIREMENT: STUDENT WRITNG REFLECTION SHEET
It is time to have your students reflect on their writings from this school year using the Writing Portfolio Student Reflection. It can be found on ELA Webpage at the “ELA Strand Resources” Quick Link in the "Writing Resources" column. Click Here to access it as a sharable Google Doc. (Remind students that they need to make a copy of the Google doc of it before filling it out digitally and should not send a request to access the original.) The Writing Portfolio Student Reflection asks students to reflect on four of their writings from this school year and themselves as writers. The writings they choose to reflect upon may be in their digital writing portfolios (Google Folder on their Drive) or be any written piece this year from any class.
END OF COURSE EXAMS FOR GRADES 9-12
BOARD POLICY
All courses granting 1.0 high school credit or more will include a final exam. Seniors with an "A" average in a course may be exempted from a final exam. The final exam will be worth one-ninth of a student's Final Grade for the course. A final exam schedule will be published by the district and, according to Ohio's student attendance requirements, exams will not be administered earlier than the scheduled dates.
2019 END OF COURSE TEST OPTIONS
There are four options that teachers can choose from for administering an English Final Exam.
1.Teachers may create their own exam.The exam should be inclusive of material taught during the entire year. Teachers may refer to Ohio’s Learning Standards, Curriculum Guides, Clear Learning Targets, and other district resources when creating their final exam.
2.Teachers may use the End-of-Course Exam created by the district in pencil/paper format.If teachers choose to administer the district End-of-Course Exams on paper as is, principals should submit the number of copies needed directly to the Print Shop. Principals will be checking with teachers to determine the number of copies of each final exam to order. When printed exams arrive, department chairs will distribute them to the teachers who ordered them. Additional copies can be made in the building if needed. Teachers can grade the exams by hand, using building-owned Scantron machines, mobile grading apps, etc.
3.Teachers may modify the End-of-Course Exam created by the district. Teachers may choose to omit or add questions to the district-created End-of-Course Exam or add their own portions to it. Editable electronic versions of the End-of-Course Exam will be sent to department chairs to be shared with teachers who need that format for modifying the tests. Teachers can grade the exams by hand, using building-owned Scantron machines, mobile grading apps, etc.
4. ENGLISH ONLY OPTION: Teachers may use COMMONLIT to give the End-of-Course Exam. Because the English End-of-Course Exams are made up of texts from CommonLit, English teachers have the option of simply having their students read the texts and answer the assessment questions online at CommonLit. (NOTE: Guided Reading Mode and Discussion Questions on the CommonLit site for each text are not part of the final exam. It uses only the "Assessment Questions" which are the ones that are automatically assigned to students when you do not check the box "Guided Reading Mode" when you assign the readings.)
USE THESE TEXTS FOR THE ENGLISH 9-10 END OF COURSE EXAM: “A Slander” by Anton Chekhovand “The Mouse” by Saki
USE THESE TEXTS FOR THE ENGLISH 11-12 END OF COURSE EXAM: “Hermann the Irascible” by Saki, “Dreams”and “The Coming of Night” by Linda Pastan
RETURN BORROWED BOOKS TO THE SECONDARY ENGLISH OFFICE
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: 36 at Whetstone (?); 18 at Westmoor (?)
Animal Farm: 24 checked out at CNIS (A. Weiss)
The Big Lie: 12 checked out at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
The Diary of Latoya Hunter: 3 checked out at (L. Morehead)
Fahrenheit 451: 13 at Marion-Franklin (Fagalar-Haley)
Fallen Angels: 17 and teacher guide at Eastmoor Academy (L. Cleary-Foeller)
The Glass Castle: 60 at West HS (M. Prenger)
The Glory Field: 34 copies at CGA (B. Shaffer)
The Great Gatsby: 24(?) & 6 (Gale) at Independence, 30@ Briggs (Scoglietti)
The Hate U Give: 19 at Ft. Hayes (C. Johnson); 30 at Woodward Park (M. Pollard)
Holes: 6 at Sherwood (J. Want)
The House on Mango Street: 39 at South (A. Cauthorn)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: 15 at Marion Franklin (S. Carter)
Let the Circle Be Unbroken: 8 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
A Long Walk to Water: (30-Champion; 15 at Scioto (A. Wyatt); 23-CCPSB (Austin)
Miracles's Boys: 19 at Sherwood (J. Wanat)
Night: 35 copies at Eastmoor Academy (B. Alexander)
Nightjohn: 12 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
Nothing But The Truth: 9 at Whetstone (J. Snyder)
Of Mice and Men: 15 at West (A. Rizer)
The Outsiders: 12 at Buckeye (S. Austin)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 4 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
Taking Sides: 10 at Sherwood (D. Enoch)
To Kill a Mockingbird: 8 checked out at Briggs (Scoglietti)
Tuck Everlasting: 7 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead); 50 at Ecole (Ottobre)
Walk Two Moons: 6 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
The Whipping Boy: 6 at Hamilton STEM (L. Morehead)
A Wrinkle in Time: 35 at Woodward Park (J. Garriott)
CCS REIMAGINE ME 2019 CONFERENCE: SESSIONS TO ATTEND
If you are going to the CCS Reimagine ME Conference on June 3rd and 4th, don't miss these two phenomenal sessions that have been confirmed for June 4th!!
1. TEACHING and LEADING with FOCUS
In this large, featured session, Mike Schmoker, author of the recent bestseller FOCUS: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning (ASCD, 2018) will help teachers and leaders learn precisely where schools should focus their precious time and resources to ensure that all students are prepared for the demands of college, careers, and citizenship. Check out Chapter Four of this book that specifically focuses on "English Language Arts Made Simple." It advocates honoring literacy's first principle: Every Year, Every Student needs to use class time reading, writing, and speaking. He will show you how to simplify and prioritize what works to make your life easier and increase student growth. Participants will leave this session with a copy of FOCUS: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning (ASCD, 2018).
2. LITERACY DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES/HELPING READERS/WRITERS ACCESS COMPLEX TEXTS
This session, led by Dr. Alfred W. Tatum, Dean of the College of Education at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and director of the UIC Reading Clinic, will focus on the literacy development of African American males, with particular focus on the roles of texts and writing to advance their literacy development. [NOTE: THERE IS AN ELEMENTARY SESSION AND A SECONDARY SESSION.]
TEACHER PD OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTESTS
ERASE THE SPACE TEACHER WORKSHOP (NEW)
You're invited to the Erase the Space workshop for teachers on June 5th at the Parsons branch of the Columbus Library. With four successful exchanges between central Ohio schools this year, growing from just one the previous two years, they are looking for more teachers to join us. This workshop is free for participants. This three hour introduction to the program and its goals will provide teachers the opportunity to get involved and run an exchange from their classroom with another teacher’s classroom in the greater Columbus area. Participants can expect to learn and/or participate in:
The problem, process, and theory behind Erase the Space.
Engage in discourse with a partner through reflection on your own teaching process
The importance of true collaboration and trust: A conversation with two Erase the Space students
Debrief: conversations about the day, your classroom, and your vision
Breakfast will be provided. Please pack your lunch to join us in Schiller Park for a picnic from 11:30-12:30pm to allow time for participants to converse with each other and possibly strike up a partnership for a classroom exchange. Erase the Space Workshop Sign-Up HERE.
TEACHING ENGLISH LEARNERS INSTITUTE: FREE OPPORTUNITY FOR CCS MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS (NEW)
The Teaching English Learners Institute provides teachers with foundational background knowledge about teaching ELs and extends the foundation in a supported, workshop-style format, where participants transform some of their curriculum with specifically-designed instruction for ELs. Participants need to bring something from their curriculum to modify. It might be a specific standard, a unit or other lessons, or a routine practice, such as writing workshop. The institute will take place at THE POINT (Otterbein University STEAM Center) on July 8-12 from 9am-3pm. One free graduate credit from Otterbein will be awarded. Contact Karen Richards, Nationwide Grant Program Manager, to register or get more information at 740-412-6480 or krichards@otterbein.edu.
NCTE SUMMER BOOK CLUB July 7–August 3 (BOOK HAS BEEN SELECTED)
All current NCTE members are invited to participate in NCTE Reads Summer Book Club, a month-long discussion via a private Facebook group where they’ll have the chance to discuss ideas from a professional development text, ask questions of the authors, and create new resources together. The book we will be examining together Workshopping the Canon by Mary Styslinger.Workshopping the Canon introduces practicing and preservice English language arts teachers to a process for planning and teaching the most frequently taught texts in middle and secondary classrooms using a workshop approach.
Download Chapter 1 to get a taste of the book!
NCTE MEMBER GRANTS/AWARDS-NOMINATE OR APPLY TODAY (NEW)
Are you doing something extraordinary in your classroom? Do you have a colleague who is? We bet the answer is yes to both of these questions, and that's why you should consider applying or nominating for these awards. The deadlines are fast approaching!
NCTE and Penguin Random House Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers & Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry Deadline: May 31
This newly created Penguin Random House partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) will recognize the nation’s most dynamic and resourceful teachers who use their creativity to inspire and successfully instill a lifelong love of reading and poetry in students. There are two separate and distinct $10,000 grants. LEARN MORE
ELATE Geneva Smitherman Cultural Diversity Grant Deadline: May 20
This grant offers up to two $500 awards for first-time NCTE Convention presenters who are members of groups historically underrepresented in NCTE and ELATE. LEARN MORE
NCTE Leadership Award for People with Disabilities Deadline: June 1
This new NCTE award recognizes a person with a disability who has made a significant contribution to the Council and to the development of our professional community. This award intends to include mental, physical, sensory, and other disabilities. Recipients of this award promote and support the advancement of people with disabilities in our profession through their service, writing, teaching, scholarship, and professional development. LEARN MORE
NCTE LGBTQ+ Advocacy & Leadership Award Deadline: June 1
Members of the LGBTQ+ community have always been active in literacy teaching and learning; they also have been active members of NCTE. This new NCTE award recognizes a member of the LGBTQ+ community who has made a significant contribution to the Council through their service, scholarship, and actions that promote and support the advancement of the LGBTQ+community in the profession, in literacy-related activities, and in public engagement, creating a culture of change. LEARN MORE
MENTORING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Are you interested in mentoring a university student next school year (student teacher, observation student, OSU FEEP student, field placements, etc.)? Would you like to earn CEUs for doing so? Have you been employed as a CCS Teacher/Licensed Support Personnel for at least three school years? If so, please complete the online application using the link below.
-Here is the link to the online application: http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/studentrequest. Your username and password are your old Lotus Notes username and password (same as the ones you use for iLEAD/SLOs). If you do not remember them, please contact that HELP Desk at 8425. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Karmen McCaslin at 1-380-997-7514 or kmccasli@columbus.k12.oh.us.
OSU GRADUATE PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR TEACHING COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS CLASSES
The Department of English at the Ohio State University is pleased to offer a graduate program for high school teachers who wish to teach College Credit Plus classes in English composition and literature. They have designed a six-course (18-credit) program to prepare participants to teach college-level English classes. They anticipate that most participants will be preparing to teach composition classes, but they are also offering courses in English and American literature for instructors wishing to teach courses in literary history. Teachers wishing to teach composition should take at least nine credits (three classes) in Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy studies, one of which must be Approaches to Teaching College Writing (English 6781). Teachers wishing to offer literature courses through College Credit Plus should take at least nine credits (three classes) in Literature. See this FLYER from OSU for more information.
LEADING TOGETHER 2019
"We’ve got to teach our children well, and to do that, we need the courage to say goodbye to the past.” Come and experience a very hopeful and practical keynote this June as Dr. Bill Daggett challenges our assumptions about the purposes, benefits, and effectiveness of current practices. He will inspire you to embrace the greatest aspects of our education system, and to make the necessary modifications required to meet the needs of all 21st century learners.
REGISTER NOW for the Leading Together 2019 Conference on June 10-12th at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris. June 10, 2019: Pre-Conference: Deeper Learning: Fostering Critical Thinking and Collaboration; June 11-12, 2019: Conference: 21st Century Learning for Every Student. LEARN MORE HERE.
REVITALIZE TEACHING, TRANSFORM LEARNING CONFERENCE FOR TEACHERS & TEACHER EDUCATORS
On June 13th and 14th there will be workshops led by OSU Faculty at Metro High School. The keynote presenter will be Rachel Gartside (Royal Shakespeare Company and Active & Dramatic for Engaged Learning UK Workshop Leader). The cost is $100 for both days or $75 for one day. Register at http://go.osu.edu/transformlearning.
—You can also register for these 3 credit Summer Institute Courses at Metro at the same link:
- Reading Complex Texts (June 17-21)
- Teaching Literature for Equity and Engagement (June 24-28)
THE NCTE SUMMER INSTITUTE
The NCTE Summer Institute will be held June 30–July 2, in Providence, RI. Led by Ken Lindblom and Leila Christenbury and informed by more than 70 years of combined classroom experience, a large body of research in the discipline, and the collective expertise of a broad network of English educators, this event will help you advance your practice and transform your classroom. Dr. Kimberly N. Parker, a leader in NCTE and NEATE and cofounder of #DisruptTexts, will be a featured speaker at this event. Discussions will focus on
- Teaching challenging texts
- Engaging with new media, a central facet of teaching critical literacy
- Helping students to apply ethical and critical thinking to the tools they use for composition
- Broadening the genres, types, and intended audiences for which your students learn to write
Attendees will leave with a copy of both Continuing the Journey books, as well as a packet of resources, dozens of new ideas, and a greatly expanded professional learning network. The richness of this experience will come not only from the expertise we share with you, but from the expertise we share with one another.
THURBER HOUSE ADULT WRITING WORKSHOPS & MASTER CLASSES
Thurber House Adult Writing Workshops and Master Classes are designed for adults of all levels of writing experience. Adult Writing Workshops are two-hour stand-alone classes on a variety of topics.They take place on Mondays from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave., beginning on May 8th. Master Classes are four-hour stand-alone in-depth sessions.They take place on Saturdays from 9:00am - 1:00 pm at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave., beginning on May 20th.
REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE THURBER ADULT WRITING WORKSHOPS OR MASTER CLASSER HERE.
ITSE 2019
The ISTE Conference & Expo (Sunday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 26 in Philadelphia) is the most influential edtech event in the world and the must-attend event for thousands of educators looking to harness the power of technology to advance learning and teaching. Registration to the ISTE conference includes ISTE membership, which means access to year-round learning, use-it-today resources that have been vetted by fellow educators and virtually endless opportunities to build influence by contributing to the field.
See more and get link to registration for ITSE 2019 here.AMLE ANNUAL CONFERENCE-NOVEMBER 7-9 IN NASHVILLE, TN
Registration & housing are now open! Register early to take advantage of the best rates—Just $449 for AMLE Professional Members! Save an additional $50 with promo code A19E5.
Special deals for teams and groups are also available. The conference is designed around four powerful strands, helping you to customize your experience. You can now view online the featured sessions in each strand, presented by education experts and thought leaders.
SOME CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS
USE THIS LIST TO GUIDE WHAT YOU DO IN THE CLASSROOM
Ten Principles for Teaching ELA
1-Make close reading of text central to lesson.
2-Structure majority of instruction so all students read grade-level complex texts.
3-Emphasize informational texts from early grades through graduation.
4-Provide scaffolding that does not preempt or replace text.
5-Ask text-dependent questions.
6-Provide extensive research and writing opportunities (claims and evidence).
7-Offer regular opportunities for students to share ideas, evidence, and research.
8-Offer systematic instruction in vocabulary.
9-Provide explicit instruction in grammar and conventions.
10-Cultivate students’ independence
DEBATE CAMP OFFERED AS PART OF CAPITAL UNIVERSITY'S CREATIVE ARTS CAMPS
CREATIVE ARTS CAMPS AT CAPITAL
REGISTER HERE for any of the June 23 - 28 camps. Learn from Capital’s talented faculty during this one-week immersive summer camp experience for students ages 11-13* and 14-17 interested in exploring the creative arts. Here are the 2019 Camp Offerings:
- Art & Design Camp
- Screenwriting Camp
- Film Production Camp
- Improv Comedy Basics Camp
- Music Camp: I Wanna Rock – A Week of Music Making
- High School Debate Camp
- Middle School Debate Camp*
-The overnight campers will stay in one of the supervised residence halls, be provided breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, and participate in classes and activities. Recreational activities will be scheduled in the evenings.Overnight residential fee per participant (which includes all meals and fees) is $795.
*Middle School Debate Camp is a daytime only camp for students ages 11-13. The day campers will be provided lunch, snacks, and participate in all classes and activities. Middle School Debate camp fee per participant (which includes all meals and fees) is $350.
SPECIFICS FOR THE DEBATE CAMP
The Ludlum Forum, home of Capital University debate, welcomes students to the Capital University campus for its summer workshop. Students with no experience OR prior experience are welcome and sessions will be tailored to experience levels. This five-day experience will give students essential skills for success in competitive high school debate, and for success in the classroom and future professional life. An experienced and dedicated staff under the direction of Dr. Stephen Koch will provide immersion in practical debate skills as well as lay a foundation for understanding the dynamics, ethics and philosophy of public advocacy. Key processes, including policy research, case construction, brief construction, rebuttals, cross examination, evidence analysis and critical decision-making will be explained, coached and practiced.
OHIO STATE FAIR SPELLING BEE
The Ohio 4-H program is hosting the Ohio State Fair Spelling Bee on July 27 at the Ohio State Fair. You are invited to send two students from each grade level (currently in grades 3-6) to represent your schools. Students need not be a 4-H member to participate. This is a fun, educational event and not sanctioned by Scripps; winners do not advance to any other bee or competition. Find all the details and entry form at: http://ohiostatefair.com/spelling-bee/. If you have questions, please email Sally McClaskey at mcclaskey.12@osu.edu.
Columbus Children’s Theater Classes and Camps
Columbus Children’s Theater Classes and Camps offer students the opportunity to build excellent communication skills through acting. There are half-day and full-day camps. There are classes for all ability levels. Pricing varies from around $200-$325. Go to https://reg129.imperisoft.com/ColumbusChildrensTheatre/Search/Registration.aspx Registration.aspx to the search the offerings and to register. They have new locations available at YMCAs in Gahanna, Liberty Township, and Hilliard. They have a new offerings called “Play-in-a-Days” and “Audition Workshops.”
SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN CENTRAL OHIO
-The Columbus School for Girls Summer Program (Bexley) offers boys and girls summer classes in varied subjects. Classes specifically designed for English Language Arts include book clubs, a broadcast journalism class, study skills, ACT/ SAT prep, etc. There are programs for 9 weeks from June 3-August 9th. Half-day classes are $175 to $200 and full-day courses range from $325 to $500. Go to http://www.columbusschoolforgirls.org/summer/index.aspx to see a brochure and to register.
-The Columbus Academy Summer Experience (Gahanna) offers boys and girls summer classes in varied subjects. Classes specifically designed for English Language Arts include A Way with Words, Character Study, Young Journalists, Media Arts, Writing Across Columbus, and Writer’s Workshop. There are 10 weekly program sessions from June 4th-August 10th. Pricing begins at $105 for half-day classes. Go to https://www.columbusacademy.org/summer to see full brochure and to register.
-The Wellington Summer Program offers camps from June 3rd-August 9th for students from Age 4 through Grade 12. Students can take classes centered on scene writing, speed reading, or studying skills. Class costs range from $140-$395. Go to https://www.wellington.org/student-life/summer/ to see the catalog of camps and to register.
-Kids in College (Ohio University-Lancaster Branch) offers varied classes for students in Grades 4-9. Language Arts offerings include Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Poetry, Creative Writing, etc. There are three sessions: Week I - June 10-14, Week II - June 17-21, and Week III - June 24-June 28. You can take up to two classes per session ($85 each). Go to https://www.ohio.edu/lancaster/community/kidsincollege.cfm to register or to see the classes offered this year.
LOOKING FOR PREVIOUS ISSUES OF THE NEWSLETTER?
April 29-May 3-Issue Thirty-Two
March 25-29-Issue Twenty-Eight
March 18-22-Issue Twenty-Seven
February 25-March 1-Issue Twenty-Four
February 18-22-Issue Twenty-Three
February 11-15-Issue Twenty-Two
January 28-February 1-Issue Twenty
December 17-Winter Break-Issue Sixteen
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, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0463
Tim Wangler
Southland Center, Suite 125
Email: twangler8446@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/English6-12
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0462