Book Spine Poetry? What a clever idea!

I wish I'd thought of it.

Below are three of my favourite book spine poems from the gallery at 100 Scope Notes:








Now - I've got to go stack my poem. . .

Poetry: Not Mission Impossible!

I've been thinking a lot about poetry lately. . . and have been becoming a little obsessed.  When I think back to my English degree at Trent University, over twenty years ago,  it is my poetry class that made me feel elated.  I walked across the Otonabee bridge everyday, and my feet barely touched the ground.

Words and lines and thoughts and ideas and images and movement and particular turns of phrase kept me buoyant.  It was a very inspiring time.

As a teacher, I really want to share that buoyant feeling with my students.  I want to go beyond the assumptions about poetry, and truly engage students for the very love of language and expression.

I've been reading Georgia Heard's book, Awakening the Heart.....and have been inspired by the idea of creating 6 Room Poems (also described on-line:  . 
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=51929)

To hook the reluctant writers, I was thinking it would be neat to try writing in role. Darth Vader?  Yoda?  Iron Man? Luongo? These would likely be appealing to boys, but what about the girls?  Because I live in a housefull of boys, I'm not entirely sure who girls would find interesting to write about.  Katniss Everdeen?  Selena Gomez? 

With this little problem comes a solution.  I would ask students to submit names of characters they find appealing in popular culture. 

Imagine challenging the class to write in the role of the school principal?  Then invite the principal to write as him or herself. . . inviting them to come together with your class to enjoy the fruits of poetic labour.

Ahh, poetry, let us be true to one another.

Sorry - I love poetry, so I get a little carried away :o)

Incidentally, I found a workshop handout by Georgia Heard here:  http://www.arliteracymodel.com/pdf/conference/050919/georgia.pdf

That is my gift to you.

Sincerely,

Carol N.

Path to a Happy Practicum: Let the Principles of Learning Guide You

What does good teaching look like?  What makes a lesson work?  How do you know if you're on the right track?   How do you know if your students will be engaged at all?  Never fear....let the Principles of Learning (as cited in the BC ELA IRP) guide you!

• Learning requires the active participation of the student.
• People learn in a variety of ways and at different rates.
• Learning is both an individual and a group process.
• Learning is most effective when students reflect on the process of learning and set goals. 

Keep these principles in mind as you plan...this will help you decide upon the most effective teaching methods in your toolbox.  Already planned your lessons?  Take another look at them, and ask yourself these questions:

• Does this lesson require active participation of my students?
•  Is there enough variety in my lesson so that all learners have a pathway to engagement?
• Do I allow for individual and group activities?  Is there a balance of both?
• Are my students reflecting on the process of learning in a meaningful way?
• Have my students had any say in the goals of this project?  Do you provide space for individual goal-setting?

Sometimes, even when all the boxes are checked off and you have been mindful of the Principles of Learning - a lesson can flop.  There are good days, and according to Alexander,  there are "horrible, no good, very bad days."  The key is to pick yourself up by your teachable bootstraps and try again tomorrow!

Have a happy practicum,

Carol N.

Clever Idea: historical character on facebook

The middle-years group was thinking it would be fun to do podcasts in role as historical figures.  Perhaps an interview between Gandhi and Hitler?  Today, when I was searching for an off-line facebook template to use in Seminar, I came across this:


Attribution: http://historytech.wordpress.com/

I love clever - and think this is just the right kind of clever for middle-years students.

Graphic Novels I have Loved. . . .

Here are a few of the graphic novels that I have read and loved, or my children have loved.  Click on the image to go straight to Amazon where you will find reviews and grade levels if you are curious.


 

Owly is the cutest little book - mostly without words.  I love that the author/artist created Owly on sticky notes that he left for his mom.

Baby Mouse is a wonderful character, the books are well-drawn (love the pink, black and white), and the content is quite engaging.  She is a little hero for girls everywhere. 

The pink, white and black content turned my 8 year-old son off, so when I saw Monster Mash I picked it up for him.  Liam got hooked on it, and continued to read the whole series - no longer concerned about the

colour or character. 

 

 

Bone is one of the most popular graphic novels in the school library.  Both my boys have read the series (9 books I believe), and I have enjoyed them too.  Liam has actually read them three times, he finds them that engaging.

This is a combination of traditional novel with graphic novel-like inclusions.  My boys wanted me to put this on the list - they've enjoyed them, but I must say they were never something they wanted to re-read, and they never kept their attention for long.  Still, they found them entertaining, and many kids love them.

Amulet is very well done, and has captured the attention of my boys.  It isn't as well known as Bone (in my experience), but it is just as good!(perhaps better, but don't tell anyone I said that). 

Not exactly a graphic novel, but a much-loved comic in our house.  Love the expression presented, and the slapstick world of a Calvin and his trust sidekick.

For older students, this book is gorgeous in its black and white drawings, and the coming-of-age story is beautifully told. It is the first graphic novel I ever read front to back and fell in love with.A graphic novel for adults - the drawings are incredible and the story well-told. 

 

For older readers.  I thought this graphic novel was incredible on many levels, it is really an interesting look the author's perspective/representation of growing up in a Chinese family in America.  It shows stereotypes through one of the storylines, and so I have heard debates about having this in schools, but I'll leave that up to you to decide.

If there is a graphic novel you think the blogosphere should know about (especially for schools, but not necessarily stricted to schools) - please leave a message.

As luck would have it, I just came across this list for the top 10 Graphic Novels of 2011 (click image to go to the article):

Picture Books I have Loved

Nothing like curling up with a good book (or twenty) over the  holidays.  Below are some of my favourites.  Just click on the image to get to Amazon, where you can conveniently read more about it. I love that it is easy to check professional reviews like School Library Journal and Kirkus Review. 
 These books were chosen because of their wonderful kid-appeal.  Most of them make great read-alouds, and are stories I love to share.

Compiling this collection of picture books that I've loved, felt like a walk down school library lane for me.  I picture all the students I shared these books with: the students who gasped when they understood the ending of The Sweetest Fig.  The students who said, "You have to read One Green Apple, Mrs. N., you'll love it!"  The group of kindergartener's who liked to chime in during King Bidgood's in the Bathtub.

Ah, sweet nostalgia!  Life is just better when you can share the books you love.

A Letter to my Students

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Dear EDCI 302 Teachers of Tomorrow: 

It has been a pleasure getting to know you this term.  I want to thank you all for your hard work, critical thinking, and positive attitudes.  The school community will be lucky to have you - and I want to wish you the very best in your professional journey.

If you remember just one thing from our few months together - I would really like it to be this:
Students will rise to the occasion of excellence in your Language Arts classroom if you create an environment which nurtures:

• a love of language (or willingness to play with language and try different strategies); 
• a meaningful purpose (I almost wrote "a meaningful porpoise"...which would make for an interesting story, wouldn't it?); 
• a safe environment; 
• a balanced approach;
• constructive feedback;
• and, an authentic audience.

Sharon Creech managed to create such a classroom via Mrs. Stretchberry in Love That Dog.  Nancie Atwell and Lucy Calkins have been working on creating such an environment through Writer's Workshop.  Donald Graves, Tom Romano, Penny Kittell (and many more) have been calling for teachers who value personally-meaningful engagement in the writing process for many years.

So much depends
upon a language-rich classroom
in the school where you will teach.


So much depends upon
a willingness to try
and an open mind.

You all have a beautiful opportunity in front of you.  Go forth bravely, and enjoy!


Sincerely,


Carol N.