The Lost Days - What to Do?

Testing's over, your units and lessons are almost are finished, what to do with your students till the end of the year? My experience taught me to lighten up and change direction. Here are three activities that had some meaning and by-in from my students.

1. Notices.     My current students write to the next class that will be in this class in September.  I gave my students a list of suggestions to structure their writing. Explain the class by describing the assignments, the requirements for good grades, the memorable themes/activities/moments, and the books that had an impact. Finally, what piece of advice they would give? I encoured them to be funny, sarcastic or brutally honest! I took their edited pieces and posted them on the bulletin board and saved it for September.  Carmen Natrin did a similar activity with her class at CHHS and this jogged my memory. 
2. Letter to Self.      Students are asked to write a letter to themselves that will be mailed to their homes when they are about to graduate from high school.  The suggestions included writing about who they are friends with, what they enjoy doing in school and out, what aspirations they hold, where they would like to travel, what they see themselves doing after high school and for a career.  This worked so well with some of my students and my own son Alex was astonished to find that his predictions and friends were still firmly part of his adult life.  
3. Blog.    Have each student create a blog. Suggest categories that they could write about such as a special interest, a hobby, a sport, places to visit, books they've read, movies, TV shows. This could encompass personal narratives, argument and opinion writing. Show them how to include pictures and have a BLOG REVEAL event to share the blog in class.  Students can comment on each other's blogs.   

Cape Writing Handbook Debut!

THE NEW HANDBOOK IS HERE! 

It's been awhile since I've written this handbook but it is finally available to all! The intended audience is middle and high school students. Parents are also invited to use this as a reference. Look for it on the Cape Henlopen District website under the heading, "for Students".

 I hope that it helps to answer questions on the nitty gritty of writing well. There are many links to sources so that your writing may be polished and shine! (That's a metaphor!)

Ways to Improve Reading Fluency

At this time of year, teachers are looking for ways to increase their students' reading fluency.   It may surprise you that some of the things you already do are really a core foundation for this. This list (with links) may help to confirm your suspicions that you are on target.

1. Echo Reading - Students read the text of a story, poem or article that is projected onto a screen, then they read it back to you.   This works well with poetry especially rhyming poetry.  They get the pattern, the voice inflection and can work out the meaning as you go along. 
2. You Tube dramatic readings - student have a copy of the text and follow along with a video recording of the story, poem, or article.  I did this with Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe.  An actor or actress was much more interesting than me and students were riveted. 
3. Readers Theater - pre-read a short play with them then assign parts and read it out loud.  Students have a chance to rehearse and then shine! 

10 Ways to improve reading fluency

1. Read aloud to children to provide a model of fluent reading. ...
2. Have children listen and follow along with audio recordings. ...
3. Practice sight words using playful activities. ...
4. Let children perform a reader's theater. ...
5. Do paired reading. ...
6. Try echo reading. ...
7. Do choral reading. ...
8. Do repeated reading.

Reading Optionals

In this blog post by Jason DeHart describes why students need choices to read what appeals to them. Link to Edutopia

at
A Community of Readers

Brief Writing Checklists - a Resource

Brief Writing checklists are available for Grades 6-12,  Argument and Narrative. 

Simply join my Cape Teachers Tools Schoology site using the code
 8M5SS-DVGCZ. 

Here's a sample.

Narrative Writing - Grades 11-12                     
A BRIEF, Summarized Rubric Checklist

Organization/Purpose
1. Engages reader with a situation or observation and its significance
2. Establishes one or multiple point(s) of view
3. Introduces narrator and/or characters
4. Uses techniques to sequence events that build with a coherent tone and outcome
5. Provides a conclusion that reflects on what is experienced or observed
6. Integrates information to maintain flow of ideas
7. Clear and coherent writing to task, audience, purpose

Evidence/Elaboration
1. Uses narrative techniques to develop events, characters, events
2. Uses precise words, details, language to convey a vivid picture
3. Uses relevant information from multiple sources
4. Quotes or paraphrases while avoiding plagiarism
5. Follow format for citation

Language/Conventions
1. Demonstrates command of grade-level English grammar, usage and conventions
2. Errors do not interfere with understanding

Organization/Purpose
1. Engages reader with a situation or observation and its significance
2. Establishes one or multiple point(s) of view
3. Introduces narrator and/or characters
4. Uses techniques to sequence events that build with a coherent tone and outcome
5. Provides a conclusion that reflects on what is experienced or observed
6. Integrates information to maintain flow of ideas
7. Clear and coherent writing to task, audience, purpose

Evidence/Elaboration
1. Uses narrative techniques to develop events, characters, events
2. Uses precise words, details, language to convey a vivid picture
3. Uses relevant information from multiple sources
4. Quotes or paraphrases while avoiding plagiarism
5. Follow format for citation

Language/Conventions
1. Demonstrates command of grade-level English grammar, usage and conventions
2. Errors do not interfere with understanding