Commenting Can Mean Teaching

Slice of Life Tuesdays are hosted by Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers.  Come see!

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      I’ve described in other posts that the students at my school each study an individual topic, called units of study.  Activities within the units include creative writing like fiction and poetry, along with communication of questions answered through research and multiple kinds of reporting.   Sometimes the “answers” are three-dimensional projects and numerous other kinds of responses.  Students also create magazines, newspapers and pamphlet for topics, along with the expected basic reports.  

        The teachers with whom I work and I have spent time talking about the challenges of evaluating the “answers” students turn in.  There are a number of ways to do this, but one that is a critical question for the teachers is how to save time because one on one conferences about everything is simply not possible.  Particularly in the upper age groups, there are so many products for teachers to evaluate.  One approach that helped me both teach and save time is the way I comment on the products, and keep track of them.

Only One-But Terrific!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  Head over for terrific book reviews!  And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children. 

  

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 I loved And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano and Erin Stead, and now these two have published another marvelous and sweet book. This book is about patience, but watching for whales might not be the only thing one needs to wait (and watch) for. The young boy and his dog see many things on their journey of looking for a whale. There are whimsical, yet simple illustrations, a surprise on every page to delight the youngest children, in addition to serving as a mentor text to see what "other" things can complete the phrase "If you want to see..."

Summer Reading - Poetry!

          Tabatha Yeatts is our wonderful host this Poetry Friday at The Opposite of Indifference. Thank you Tabatha!

             I’ve read a few posts that are asking others to share their plans for summer reading, and I have stacks of choices waiting for me.  There are the YA books, the adult books, the picture books and the mysteries I’ll take to the beach, along with some e-books downloaded on my IPad.  There is a stack of children’s poetry books waiting.  I am looking forward to several days of non-stop reading as much as possible. 

            Today I’d like to recommend the anthology The Place My Words Are Looking For : What Poets Say About and Through Their Work, selected by Paul B. Janeczko and published in 1990.  It is a favorite of mine that I’ve used for several years with my middle school students, although I believe that, selected carefully, it could be used for a variety of ages.  

I Could Write...

          Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers host the Slice of Life community each Tuesday.  Read and enjoy!

I could write about...
        The marvelous time I've had with my former assistant as my co-teacher this past month, until the end of school-this week!  He will be taking this new position next year, so I will then begin working with him as a coach.  He will be/already is a terrific teacher and I've been blessed to have this chance to work together one more time with him.

Some New, Some Older This Week

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  Head over for much to choose from!  And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children. 

  

              Tweet at #IMWAYR

Almost Home – Joan Bauer

           I just finished Blue Balliett’s Hold Fast, and have read One for The Murphy’s by Linda Mullahy Hunt, a favorite last year.  This book by Joan Bauer is another treasure about being homeless, so much to share about the feelings and experiences one has that I hadn’t thought about.  When Sugar, the main character, is told to “go out there and set the world on fire”, she replies, “Yes, ma’am, I will.”  but further thoughts reveal more: “Every time she said it, I felt a little candle trying to light in my heart.  It’s hard to light a candle in the wind.”  The book is filled with exquisite scenes, as Sugar makes her way through her troubled time, and thank goodness, finally in a loving foster home setting.  There is so much to enjoy in this book despite the underlying sorrow.  There is a loving and smart mother who can’t seem to make good choices and a passed-on grandfather who has written a book of ‘how-to’ live life.  Grandfather’s book Bauer creates, and shares parts of, could be a little book of advice for anyone, but this time, the words are what Sugar clings to as she faces so many challenges.  It’s a terrific read!