Students write short stories. Most of them love it. The creative process is something that so many of our students are just itching to engage with. But, one of the reasons that teachers don't always want to teach creative writing, is because it means reading. A lot of reading. And then there's the marking. How … Continue reading 4.04 – Writing a Choose Our Way Tale with Twine or Texture Writer (English Lesson)
Palm stories are short stories that were created in the palm of your hand. Using nothing more than your palm, and your imagination you can create and populate a unique world. It's so easy that anyone can do it, which is why we want to introduce the technique to our classrooms. I could tell you … Continue reading 4.03 – Writing a PALM Story: Ideation for Short Stories (English Lesson)
The world of creative fiction is about to open up before your students. One of the most engaging ways to create fiction is to consider Choose Our Way Tales (or COWtales, as I like to call them). These stories go by many different names: Choose your own adventure Choose your scare Pick your path Adventure … Continue reading 4.02 – Introducing Choose Our Way Tales: COWtales (English Lesson)
Beginning a new unit of study is always difficult. Trying to determine how much your students already know, and where you need to start teaching the fundamental foundations that will be integral for everything that follow can be a make or break decision. And, it's not an easy decision. You don't want students who are … Continue reading 4.01 – Introducing the Elements of a Story (English Lesson)
Now that the literature circles are at an end, there are no more roundtables to be had, and all novels are completed read (or as completely read as they are likely to be) it's time for students to step back and think "was all that worth my time, anyway?". Don't worry - don't be afraid … Continue reading 3.07 – Evaluating the Selected Text (English Lesson)
Roundtables are formal discussions where students discuss a variety of topics, relating them to their text. Connections should be made using extremely specific examples, as well as direct quotations from their readings. During Roundtable Discussions students should take out their previously provided Roundtable Discussion Sheet. They will have used this sheet to collect a variety … Continue reading 3.06 – The Roundtable Discussion (English Lesson)
Today is the day where everything comes together. All the work you have put in, since beginning Literature Circles culminates in today's class: The actual Literature Circle! Now, throughout this unit, you will likely have at least four literature circles, though you can have as many, or as few as suit the needs of your … Continue reading 3.05 – Hosting a Literature Circle (English Lesson)
This class will focus on preparation for the literature circle. There is a school of thought that states students should be prepared to complete these tasks for homework, and come to class ready to participate. And, while there is merit to that, it also fails to address the reality that a number of our students … Continue reading 3.04 – Lit Circles: Preparing for a Literature Circle (English Lesson)
When running a literature circle, one of the most important parts is the circle. The other important part, of course, is the literature. To fully engage with the literature students need the most valuable resource of all: time. Sure, you could expect your students to read a chapter or three at home, and you could … Continue reading 3.03 – Lit Circles: Sustained Reading & The Lines that Stand Out (English Lesson)
One of the most important parts of a literature circle is the text selection. Students will be engaged with the text for a number of weeks, and in order to feel a sense of ownership over their learning, their lessons, and their expressions, they need to feel as if they were active participants in selecting … Continue reading 3.02 – Literature Circle Book Choices (English Lesson)
What Binder Education 