Out of Her Mind -- Musings on Education and Life

  When students are able to clearly articulate what they are learning and what they are expected to do, they will be more successful.  I have been teaching for 22 years, and I have found that it is helpful to begin each new unit of learning by emphasizing a focus standard.  We know that the ELA standards are artfully intertwined, but picking a standard or two to really emphasize helps me to be intentional about instruction and for students to know the purpose of their learning. I am currently teaching English II in North Carolina, and I am helping students prepare for the North Carolina Final Exam.  I have been developing slideshows, guided notes, and graphic organizers to help students understand the academic vocabulary of the tested standards as well as to help them analyze informational and literary texts in the 9-10 grade band. These resources are available individually or bundled on Teachers Pay Teachers .   Add a free copy of   RL.9.10.1 Lit...

Crafting Your Writing for Specific Audiences: A Mini Lesson Essential Questions 1. How does considering the rhetorical triangle shape what we write? 2. How do we write differently for different audiences? Audience:  A Key Component of the Rhetorical Triangle When a good writer writes, she keeps her audience forefront in her mind as she chooses her topic, her words, and even the details to include.  Consideration of audience is so important that it is only one of three elements in Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle. In order to write effectively, one must first know who (s)he is potentially writing for, considering their values, core beliefs, level of knowledge on the topic, and so forth, or, in other words, considering the demographics  of their audience.  This mini-lesson will help you (or your students) understand just how important it is to write for specific audiences. Following the instructions below to explore how we naturally code switch , shi...

we heart found poetry (word cloud made using wordart ). At the end of a unit in my high school English class, I have students create and present thematic found poetry.  I am sure you can vary this activity in numerous ways; I look forward to you sharing your implementation/ideas with me and other readers.  Recently, I have been using found poems in the following ways: 1.  Near the first day of class, I introduce the concept of found or cut up poetry by using a sample text we have read together in class (can be a shortish excerpt or excerpt(s) chosen for this purpose).  Students are told to write down interesting words and phrases that they hear/see (depending on the modality in which you present the information) with the understanding that these words will later be used to write a thematic poem on the work that was read.  They are to record a minimum of 25 words and phrases, and I am sure to encourage them to write down at least 10 phrases.  Then,...

Igniting Learning with Creative Color-by-Number Adventures As educators, we occasionally overlook a simple truth: even our high school students are, at heart, children. And what child doesn't relish the joys of coloring, especially after a day or week filled with hard work and learning? It's a timeless source of delight, and when combined with educational value, it transforms into a potent tool for sparking excitement and promoting deeper understanding. For several years, I've been employing the magic of color-by-number and mystery picture review sheets in my high school English and reading classes, spanning a diverse range of levels—ranging from special education Occupational Course of Study English classes to honors English classes, Advanced Placement Language and Composition courses, and inclusion English classes. The astonishing part? These activities captivate even my most reluctant learners. As students dive into these coloring adventures, they embark on an engaging j...

Who was O'Henry?   O. Henry, the pen name of American author William Sydney Porter, was known for his mastery of the short story. He excelled in writing clever and humorous tales often ending with an unexpected twist, making him a renowned figure in American literature. His works, like "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Ransom of Red Chief," continue to captivate readers with their wit, irony, and timeless charm.  Do a little digging of your own, and you will discover Porter's salacious history. Find free resources on "The Gift of the Magi" from  Faulkner English  on TPT.  "The Gift of the Magi"  Before/During/After Reading Activities  (free) Ready to plug and play in your Google classroom or LMS of choice Hexagonal Thinking " The Gift of the Magi " (free) Help students make connections with this fun activity. "The Gift of the Magi"  Knowledge Constructor  (free)  Research, aligned with digital learning skills "The ...