Here's a poetry activity you can try:
Have students to write a poem in which they use imagery to describe a place.
For the prewrite, students can write down the familiar smells, sights, tastes, and sounds of a particular place.
Click here for an example poem
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tomorrow Will Be Better- Poster
Whenever I have a crazy day or what I deem as an unproductive day, I always tell myself: Tomorrow will be better.
The hope of tomorrow is a powerful thing.
Flying Home from Chicago: A moment in time poetry activity
Here's a poem I wrote about a turbulent flight that I experienced some years ago. The poem only describes about a minute of that flight.
This poem encourages student to think of a brief moment in their lives and write a poem about it.
Click here for poem: http://www.teacherscoffeehouse.com/freeworksheets/Flying_Home_from_Chicago.pdf
Click here for other poetry activities:
http://www.teacherscoffeehouse.com/Poetry.html
This poem encourages student to think of a brief moment in their lives and write a poem about it.
Click here for poem: http://www.teacherscoffeehouse.com/freeworksheets/Flying_Home_from_Chicago.pdf
Click here for other poetry activities:
http://www.teacherscoffeehouse.com/Poetry.html
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
13 Teacher Secrets
This is a cool article that I thought I would pass along. I especially like #13.
http://www.rd.com/make-it-matter-make-a-difference/slideshow-13-things-your-childs-teacher-wont-tell-you/article165082.html#slide
http://www.rd.com/make-it-matter-make-a-difference/slideshow-13-things-your-childs-teacher-wont-tell-you/article165082.html#slide
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Beautiful Man: A story about teen domestic violence
Click Here To Download Story
This is a narrative about a young woman who becomes aware that her best male friend abuses his girlfriend.
I was inspired to publish this when one of my female students declared that Rhianna must have done something to make Chris Brown mad. Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. How do you rationalize this with a 14 year old child?
This is definately a discussion that needs to be had. It also comes with a great variety of questions: literary analysis, literary terms, character analysis, and personal response.
This is not the the final draft so be ware of TYPO's. You can use this as an EDITING lesson as well.
I hope this sparks a meaningful discussion between you and your students.
This is a narrative about a young woman who becomes aware that her best male friend abuses his girlfriend.
I was inspired to publish this when one of my female students declared that Rhianna must have done something to make Chris Brown mad. Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. How do you rationalize this with a 14 year old child?
This is definately a discussion that needs to be had. It also comes with a great variety of questions: literary analysis, literary terms, character analysis, and personal response.
This is not the the final draft so be ware of TYPO's. You can use this as an EDITING lesson as well.
I hope this sparks a meaningful discussion between you and your students.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
All My Single Teachers: Have a Great Summer
Five Ways for Single Teachers to Have a Great Summer!
As teachers, we all look forward to hearing that last bell of the year. There is a certain euphoria as we lock up our classrooms and say goodbye for the summer. However, as a single person, if you don’t have a plan, then that euphoria can soon turn into boredom and depression.
There are several reasons why the summer can be challenging for single teachers:
1. During the school year, you are crazy busy, and you don’t even have time to think about certain issues or problems. So during the summer, when you have more down time, you are forced to deal with certain issues, such as sick parent, an alienated sibling, or a break up. During the school year, we are so busy that we can avoid dealing with these issues by throwing ourselves into our work.
2. You are used to being needed, in demand. Even though we complain that we are being pulled in 100 different directions during the school year, when that demand for our attention suddenly stops, we may feel like we don’t have a purpose, that we aren’t needed.
3. You’re on vacation, but your friends and family are not. Suddenly, you’re free to travel, shop, and go to the movies, but you look around and your friends and family are working. They may not want to hang out late with you because they have to get up and go to work. And, even if you have teacher friends, if they are married, they will have family obligations.
So how can you ensure that you have a great summer and come back in the fall happy and refreshed? Well I’m glad you asked.
1. Decide on at least two projects that you will complete by the end of the summer.
For example, I am determined to have a body like Rhiana by August, so I hired a personal trainer. I am also writing short stories and working on my blog.
You may consider publishing a workbook, an educational book, or a novel. Check out this blog on self-publishing: http://freethingsforteachers.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-self-publish-your-teacher.html
2. Make sure that you have a plan for each day. I try to write down at least five things that I intend to accomplish each day. I also set my alarm clock for 8:00 a.m. each morning. (I am not saying I don’t hit the snooze button 5 times, but it’s a start.)
3. Volunteer This is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people. I found the following sight to be helpful: http://www.volunteermatch.org/.
4. Set up lunch lunch dates with your family and friends who are not on vacation. It is a great way to reconnect.
5. If you are dating someone, don’t be clingy because you are not working. It is easy to ruin a relationship (especially a new one) if you are constantly calling your significant other and expecting him/her to entertain you. Continue to be the strong independent woman (or man) that he/she fell in love with. And if you just got out of an unhealthy relationship, avoid contacting him/her just because you are bored or lonely.
The bottom line is RELAX and ENJOY your summer. The fall will be here before you know it!
As teachers, we all look forward to hearing that last bell of the year. There is a certain euphoria as we lock up our classrooms and say goodbye for the summer. However, as a single person, if you don’t have a plan, then that euphoria can soon turn into boredom and depression.
There are several reasons why the summer can be challenging for single teachers:
1. During the school year, you are crazy busy, and you don’t even have time to think about certain issues or problems. So during the summer, when you have more down time, you are forced to deal with certain issues, such as sick parent, an alienated sibling, or a break up. During the school year, we are so busy that we can avoid dealing with these issues by throwing ourselves into our work.
2. You are used to being needed, in demand. Even though we complain that we are being pulled in 100 different directions during the school year, when that demand for our attention suddenly stops, we may feel like we don’t have a purpose, that we aren’t needed.
3. You’re on vacation, but your friends and family are not. Suddenly, you’re free to travel, shop, and go to the movies, but you look around and your friends and family are working. They may not want to hang out late with you because they have to get up and go to work. And, even if you have teacher friends, if they are married, they will have family obligations.
So how can you ensure that you have a great summer and come back in the fall happy and refreshed? Well I’m glad you asked.
1. Decide on at least two projects that you will complete by the end of the summer.
For example, I am determined to have a body like Rhiana by August, so I hired a personal trainer. I am also writing short stories and working on my blog.
You may consider publishing a workbook, an educational book, or a novel. Check out this blog on self-publishing: http://freethingsforteachers.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-self-publish-your-teacher.html
2. Make sure that you have a plan for each day. I try to write down at least five things that I intend to accomplish each day. I also set my alarm clock for 8:00 a.m. each morning. (I am not saying I don’t hit the snooze button 5 times, but it’s a start.)
3. Volunteer This is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people. I found the following sight to be helpful: http://www.volunteermatch.org/.
4. Set up lunch lunch dates with your family and friends who are not on vacation. It is a great way to reconnect.
5. If you are dating someone, don’t be clingy because you are not working. It is easy to ruin a relationship (especially a new one) if you are constantly calling your significant other and expecting him/her to entertain you. Continue to be the strong independent woman (or man) that he/she fell in love with. And if you just got out of an unhealthy relationship, avoid contacting him/her just because you are bored or lonely.
The bottom line is RELAX and ENJOY your summer. The fall will be here before you know it!
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