8 Things About Middle Schoolers from Jennifer Gonzalez

One thing is for sure, middle school is different. Not low, not high, in between and that defines the  challenge.  Read this well informed teacher's perspective.

8 Things I Know for Sure about Middle Schoolers by Jennifer Gonzalez

Hero Poetry Contest

Flags for Heroes Poetry Contest due May 15th

As Memorial Day approaches, approximately 500 American flags will be flying proudly on the grounds of Cape Henlopen High School. Each flag will have a medallion bearing the name of personal heroes. These heroes could include teachers, first responders, members of the military, police officers, and others who have touched the lives of others.

You have the unique opportunity to participate in a poetry contest for the Flags for Heroes Event that will be held on May 23rd, 2018! The winner will have the honor of reading their poem at the Flags for Heroes event that will be honoring our local heroes as well as receiving a $100.00 gift card. Be creative, have fun, and consider your words as a tribute to those who have been a hero in someone’s life. Deadline: May 15th, 2019

Rules:

1. The topic of this year’s contest is “The Flag.”

2. Poems may be typed or handwritten.

3. Include your name, date, school that you attend, and name of your ELA teacher on the back of your poem.

4. All styles of poetry are welcome.

5. Poems will not be accepted after the deadline.

6. Winners will be notified so that they may plan on attending the ceremony.

7. Poems will be judged based on originality, the overall message, and uniqueness.

ATTN: All entries need to be submitted to Albanese/Soni at Mariner Middle School

What is School? BORING! Students Report

When the NewYork Times asked students to describe school, one word was overwhelmingly repeated as a response: BORING!

Here's a sample...
… In class especially as standardized testing creeps closer it feels like all that matters is test preparation where all anyone cares about is memorizing each and every fact or formula. Sometimes it feels like class is just about taking notes on every single little detail and then later rigorously studying it to prepare for a test, that if not passed could be the demise of the grade we get.
— Bob, Montana

Read the full report. 

Cherry Blossoms - a poem and lessons

Teach This Poem from Poets.org 

Cherry blossoms

 

Toi Derricotte

I went down to

mingle my breath

with the breath

of the cherry blossoms.

There were photographers:

Mothers arranging their

children against

gnarled old trees;

a couple, hugging,

asks a passerby

to snap them

like that,

so that their love

will always be caught

between two friendships:

ours & the friendship

of the cherry trees.

Oh Cherry,

why can't my poems

be as beautiful?

A young woman in a fur-trimmed

coat sets a card table

with linens, candles,

a picnic basket & wine.

A father tips

a boy's wheelchair back

so he can gaze

up at a branched

heaven.

                     All around us

the blossoms

flurry down

whispering,

        Be patient

you have an ancient beauty.

                                            Be patient,

                                  you have an ancient beauty.

 

First Leaf

The New York Time Learning Network came up with a graphic that describes when the First Leaf appears in every region of the continental United States.  All at once I thought of 5 ways to use this. See what you can do with it!

The New York Times Learning Network First Leaf

World Poetry Day March 21 Let's Celebrate!

The world will celebrate POETRY this Thursday!
Suggestions:

• read a poem
• discuss a poet
• explore a theme
• enjoy the spoken work

World Poetry Day is celebrated on 21 March, and was declared by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1999. Its purpose is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the original UNESCO declaration says, to "give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements". - Wikipedia

Argument Writing Stems

Argument Writing Stems

Make a Point 

One aspect which explains (your topic) can be identified as (the idea you’re developing)...	Building on that idea (mention previous idea) , this section illustrates that (introduce new idea).
This paper will investigate/discuss/evaluate the impact of (your topic) in relation to (the ideas you develop)...	To further understand the role of (your topic), this section explores the idea that...
The current debate about (your topic) defines an interesting point of view (the idea you want to develop)...	Another common idea on (your topic) suggests that (introduce your new idea)....
The first/next/final section provides a general discussion of (the idea you want to develop)...	In discussions about (your topic) one issue that has been debated frequently is (idea)...

Offer a Contrasting View/Counter Claim 

However, other evidence suggests that (introduce another view/counter claim)...	Taking the opposite stance, many have claimed that (other view/counter claim)...
An alternative perspective on the topic of (your idea) is that (other view/counter claim)...	Some are convinced that (your topic) is false/inaccurate/outdated however...
Don’t believe me? You are not alone! Some people believe that (you topic) is not credible/viable/authentic...	Look at the alternative view (counterclaim) and think about what the experts say...

Sum it up and State You Conclusion(s) 

This evidence/discussion/information confirms the idea that (sum up idea)...	Common wisdom suggests that ...
There is general agreement that (sum up idea)..	The evidence presented in this paper has shown that (mention your conclusions)...
Clearly, this argument highlights solid reason to believe that (your conclusion)...	Many significant/important/salient issues have led to the conclusion that (you conclusion)...
Thinking through the issue, one could come to the conclusion that (your conclusion)...	It may be simple and direct but (your conclusion)...