When it comes to evaluating students at the beginning of the year, I find that analysis is one of those topics that get swept under the rug. We assume that by high school, students have already learned these skills, and yet we find out, year after year, that that is not the case for some … Read moreAnalysis Overview
In Texas we have this handy dandy standard: (11) Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Procedural Texts. Students understand how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents. Students are expected to: (A) evaluate text for the clarity of its graphics and its visual appeal; and (B) synthesize information from multiple graphical sources to draw conclusions about the ideas … Read moreIncorporating Infographics into the ELA Classroom: Writing an Essay
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
Is everyone feeling it? That current of tension that runs through the English Department right before the STAAR test? I’m feeling it again, and I have to admit that, this year, it’s getting to me. But this post isn’t about that. This post is about something I created. I wanted my kids to understand the … Read moreGetting a 4
Ok, so I cheated a little. Not all of them are TED Talks. But… that’s not the point. I use TED Talks every week. Some of the kids love them, some of them hate them, but every Tuesday for about 10 minutes at the beginning of class (sometimes they run a little longer) the kids … Read more6 TED Talks to use with Animal Farm
One of the biggest issues we have in getting prepared for the STAAR is the writing portion of the test. Lucky for us (or unlucky; the tides have yet to determine) they took the analysis paragraph away, so when it comes to writing, I can put all my energy into the persuasive essay. Before ABYDOS, my … Read moreVisualizing Persuasion
I remember somebody telling me that ABYDOS used to be a THING in our district. I remember somebody telling me that ABYDOS was one to the district what other strategies are now. That it was one of those things that the district fell in love with and then decided everybody else needed to be doing … Read moreABYDOS: A Weekend in Review
I love Channel One. I think it’s a great way to get current events into larger discussions in the classroom. I also don’t use Channel One enough. Or like… at all. *background info* Our school has a program called PrimeTime, where kids can be requested for a class period’s worth of intervention once a week. Priority … Read moreUsing Channel One as a SCIOP/ESL Tool