Learning, Laughter, and Love in Middle School English

I've mentioned before how Twitter has helped me grow as an educator.  Edutwitter is a valuable resource for book recommendations, new teaching methods, lessons, and articles.  One of my favorite educators to follow is Marissa Thompson, a high school teacher at Carlsbad High. This summer I read about her TQE(thoughts, questions, epiphanies) method for discussing literature.  I'd always longed for having discussions like the ones I had in my college literature courses, but when I try fishbowl or Socratic seminar with my students, the discussions felt forced, flat, and awkward. That changed today when I tried TQE for the first time.  Sharing homework in small groups Students writing their TQEs on the board When I listened to Marissa's podcast on Cult of Pedagogy ( check it out here ), I was intimidated. After all, her students are in high school and have a rock star teacher.  I think I read the transcript twenty times before finally trying it.  Here's h

Sundays are shopping days at my house. After church, I hit Sprouts, Winco, and sometimes even Costco to stock up for the upcoming week. I usually ask my three boys to text me what they want for lunches and snacks.  Dried mangoes, yogurt, lemonade, oranges, and "those cookies with the frosting" are the usual requests.   Sunday nights I make a family dinner and dessert that all will enjoy. I pick up my son from school each day, and sometimes we stop and Mechie's for frozen yogurt. When he gets home he plays video games for a bit before starting his homework.  Some days I drive him to Mira Mesa to practice bowling.  My boys have always had rides to friends' houses, a dad who coached their teams, loving grandparents, birthday parties, and their own beds to sleep in. I am not saying any of this to brag or make myself look good.  Most of my friends and family members provide their children with the same. I assume most of my students also have the same. As a teacher, I