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Showing posts from June, 2017

How I Wrapped up the Year with Learning Maps

A few weeks ago I read an article about having students create an end of the year learning map.  I liked the idea of having students reflect on all that they'd learned but was a little irked that there were no pictures or clear instructions.  Fortunately, I had a picture in my mind and promised myself I'd publish my own pictures when my students finished. I cut three large pieces of butcher paper and wrote the following in the middle:  writing, reading, and listening/speaking.  In the meantime, I gave students about forty minutes to review all of their work published to our class blog, all of the comments they received from me on turnitin, their English notebooks, and the grade book.  I told them to jot down notes about what they specifically learned this year as they reflected on their work. Then, I placed the posters around the room and asked students to visit each one, writing down what they learned this year.  I told them to consider writing down the activity and what t

Moments that Matter

Of course, I love teaching  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and showing my students why Twain is a genius.  Of course, I love reading a spectacular student essay that we worked on for weeks.  Of course, I love listening to students have thoughtful, insightful discussions about things that matter.  Yet, what I love about teaching are the connections I make with students.  The moments that fill my heart with joy both when they are happening and sometimes years later. Wednesday my students were working on creating a playlist for The Pearl.  They had to come up with a song that represented each chapter and write an explanation to support their choice.  It was the perfect assignment for the end of the year.  The kids could socialize and listen to music while working on the assignment.  The room was filled with happy chatter.  As I walked around checking in with and talking with students, I noticed one of my students sitting alone.  She was working on her project, but something seemed a li