Today I am completely taking over the 8th grade classes! They are almost finished reading the Hunger Games and since the standard that we are assessing is the ability to cite textual evidence and make an inference, I created a Character Symbols worksheet to help them work on inferences in a different (and hopefully fun) way! Continue reading
Today I worked with Mrs. Sopko’s afternoon sixth grade classes on their book, Lions of Little Rock. Continue reading
For my Narrative Unit [with Mason City High School sophomores], I had them create a ‘Day in the Life’ Comic, documenting, in first-person, and using the elements of narrative, a day in their personal lives. Continue reading
Fall 2014: As a part of my Narrative/Self-Writing Unit with my Mason City High School 10th graders, I wanted students to be comfortable writing about themselves, so I decided to create a comic activity, one that would bridge the gap between writing and drawing, while also bringing in some creativity. Continue reading
Kate DiCamillo’s book, Because of Winn-Dixie, is a favorite among many. Continue reading
Let’s be honest…poetry is hard. In fact, it’s the genre that makes most students squirm in their seats–from middle school to even college! Continue reading
As a part of the Tuesdays with Morrie Unit I did with my sophomore students at Mason City High School during my fall 2014 clinical placement, I had the students write a letter to the author, Mitch Albom, reflecting on the book.
To reference the lesson, click this link: Letter to Author, Mitch Albom Continue reading
Going back to the ‘My Coach/Mentor Poem’ [to view, click on link] lesson and activity connected to Tuesdays with Morrie, I had the opportunity to gather some student examples to keep with my portfolio.
Students were asked to create 2 poems based on influential relationships in their personal lives. This helped to connect to the relationship between Mitch and Morrie in the novel. Below is a student example, a male tenth-grade student I had the privilege of working with at Mason City High School in fall 2014. Continue reading
To direct my students in the Letter to [Author] Mitch Albom activity, I created an assignment sheet and a rubric, grading them on their ability to connect the text to their personal lives [narrative writing], use correct letter-writing format, content, and conventions/grammar. Continue reading
