We can’t have enough lessons over speeches or the rhetoric within those speeches. There is no end to it. The least we can do is have fun. So… I created a lesson, analyzing Trump’s victory speech and Obama’s victory speech. I wanted to give students a look at a speech that is heavy in rhetoric … Read moreTrump vs. Obama: Analyzing Rhetoric
Wes Anderson. Le Sigh. Here’s the trailer. When this movie came out I was a freshman in high school and I fell in love. This movie is whimsical and quirky and my teenage brain didn’t understand how the story worked but I knew that it just did. And I knew that it was brilliant. And … Read moreIf I Could Get Away With It: Movie Edition | The Royal Tennenbaums
The two philosophies of collectivism and individualism are heavy throughout Anthem by Ayn Rand. When I decided to teach this book, I researched both ideas and knew that if I wanted the kids to understand these heavy concepts, I was going to have to simplify and condense. And what better way to simplify and condense … Read moreTeaching Collectivism and Individualism for Anthem by Ayn Rand
Here we go again… 1. “What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness” by Robert Waldinger Okonkwo is obviously an unhappy man. Turns out the key to happiness is the relationships we build. I guess someone should tell Okonkwo that… 2. “How movies teach manhood” by Colin Stokes I love the ideas … Read more4 TED Talks to Use While Teaching Things Fall Apart
Yes, I know it’s March. But I just found my PowerPoint and so I’m sharing now. 1. History vs. Christopher Columbus by Alex Gendler Why do we still celebrate this holiday? This animated TED ED talk goes into what’s not taught in elementary school about Columbus. Cliff Notes: he was a bad dude. 2. Can … Read more3 Videos to Use During the Holidays in the ELA Class
I can’t believe I’m about to talk about fear and mystery right after Valentine’s Day, but here goes. 1. What Fear Can Teach Us by Karen Thompson Really great TED Talk about how instead of shying away from our fear, we should embrace them, turn them into stories, and then act upon them. 2. Vampires- … Read more5 TED Talks to Use with the Theme of Fear and Mystery
I love Disney. Honestly, at this point, it’s probably a bit irrational. My husband doesn’t understand it. My kids don’t understand it. But Disney movies in the 90s were the companion to an only child, i.e. me. So anytime I can go back to my happy place I will. Therefore, I use a lot of … Read moreUsing Mulan to Teach Gender Stereotypes
I’ve talked about my love of TED Talks both here and here. When we did our Anthem unit at the beginning of the year, I found more in the other channels that I subscribe to on YouTube than I did on TED that related to the book. So here they are: six videos I used to … Read moreSix Videos to Use While Reading Anthem