The New York Times invites middle and high school students ages 11-19 to tell a short story about a meaningful life experience in 600 words or fewer. Contest Dates: Oct. 13 to Nov. 17, 2021. For this contest, they invite you to write a personal narrative of your own about a meaningful life experience. Please click on this LINK to read more about this contest and the rules.
Read-i-cide (noun): The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.
Readicide – How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher is a fantastic book that I should have read many years ago. It was published in 2009, and while some of the references to the the state of educational initiatives and politics seem a bit dated, the information and approaches are spot on. This year, I have returned to teaching Language and Literature. This book would make any Humanities, Language Arts, or Middle School/High School English teacher reflect on his/her practices. It is centered more on the teaching practices in the U.S. but I also think the anecdotes fit a lot of what I have observed in American international schools during my career. Parts of the book that resonated with me, include:
The over-analysis of books creates instruction that values the trivial at the expense of the meaningful. This “chop-chop” curriculum or step-by-step approach that we often see in novel studies bombards students with ‘goals’ and ‘habits of thinking’ is a recipe for readicide.
The over-teaching of literature prevents students from experiencing the place where all serious readers want to be – the reading flow.
The need for authentic reading, sustained silent reading or DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read), and the 50/50 goal of having students read for pleasure 50% of the time, while the remaining 50% is focused on classes reading a novel that focuses on the skills needed to unpack that novel.
The need to build classroom libraries, in addition to amazing school libraries. The middle school language arts classrooms at the American International School Chennai (India), my former school, has incredible classroom libraries and spaces to read. I felt like I was walking into a independent book store.
“Young readers are drowning in a sea of sticky notes, marginalia, and double-entry journals, and as a result, their love of reading is being killed in the one place where the nourishment of a reading habit should be occurring – in school” (Gallagher 59).
The importance of finding the balance between over-teaching and under-teaching a novel or text and what this looks like.
Along with The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, a book I read several years ago when I taught Humanities, Readicide gave me a lot of practical ideas and things to ponder about how we literacy skills. I have often observed very different philosophies between school divisions in how they view the teaching of reading. I feel like this book could bridge the divide and for departments to come up with common agreements and understandings that promote a love for reading while also supporting students to become better readers.
Learning about our students’ cultures is vital to understanding our school community and celebrating our diversity. In secondary EAL this week, I learned that Suomi means Finland in Finnish. I asked my new sixth grade student what Suomi means when he entered my classroom wearing the hat pictured. He was not able to tell me, but we Googled it and I learned that it means Finland. I found this BBC Travel article (LINK) about the “mysterious origins” of the name. During a dialogue journal writing activity, one of our English language learners wrote about the kinds of food he likes, while also sharing examples of Finnish cuisine.
From Ted-Ed: I like their “Why you should read…” videos. My daughter, now in 9th grade, is starting to read this novel. Explore William Golding’s timeless satire, “Lord of the Flies,” which follows a group of shipwrecked boys as they descend into anarchy. After witnessing the atrocities of his fellow man in World War II, William Golding was losing his faith in humanity. Later, during the Cold War, as superpowers began threatening one another with nuclear annihilation, he was forced to interrogate the very roots of human nature and violence. These musings would inspire his first novel: “Lord of the Flies.”
Check out William Golding’s Lord of the Flies Video SparkNote: Quick and easy Lord of the Flies synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and themes in the novel. For more Lord of the Flies resources, go to http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/flies/
An audio version of the classic, Lord of the Flies.
Lord of the Flies Video Summary (from GradeSaver)
Lord of the Flies (Full Movie)
This link to the novel is helpful for English language learners. It’s an audio book and you can adjust the speed – LINK (from ESL English Bits).
Many teachers and parents are seeking engaging opportunities and lessons for students during distance learning, especially ones that don’t require a technology or a device. One of my favorite activities is journaling. I have had students journal for years, and I have always noticed amazing growth in their writing and thinking skills. Whether you are journaling for yourself or for your students, I have been collecting resources during the past two months. Here are some of the best articles I have found on this topic. My top 10!
As we prepare to go on winter break (or summer depending on your hemisphere!), I am sharing some nice resources for parents who want to prevent the “summer slide” with reading. Our school has a long four-week vacation, so it’s important to read and write on a daily basis. Keep it fun! Here are two articles which provide a number of ideas for how you can read with your son or daughter. There are also many other ideas to make learning fun (Museums, galleries, board games, etc.). I hope you like them!
The English-speaking world’s growing concern for the environment and the ubiquity of disposable items that are used only once has pushed the word “single-use” to the top of Collins Dictionary’s list of “Word of the Year.”
Collins says there’s been a four-fold increase in the usage of the word since 2013, in part thanks to news coverage of environmental issues. Click on thisLINKto see (and learn) other notable words of the year, including floss, VAR, Gammon, backstop, etc. The 2017 Word of the Year was actually two words: “fake news.”
This Thursday we will have our second Inspiration Conversation of this year on Fake News vs. Real News. We will be meeting on the 2nd Floor of the ES/MS CIC at 3:45 for snacks and refreshments, and we will start the session at 4:15. I hope that you can join us as we explore what makes news fake, what tools do we have to help us determine if something is fake, and what role do we have in stopping the spread of fake news. This is a pressing and important issue in the world today, which plays a role in everyone’s life. This is open to MS and HS students. See you there!
This video gives a brief overview of argumentative essay writing. In class today and tomorrow, you will continue working on your Silk Road essential question: Which three factors had the greatest influence on trade on the Silk Road, and why? You have your graphic organizer and lessons on the Silk Road to respond to this question.
We learned about Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden Walk last week. Next, you will join our walking party for Out of Eden Learn and start your first footstep. Here are the towns or cities who will be in our walking party:
OUR TWO WALKING PARTIES (B/D BLOCKS AND F/H BLOCKS): Location: from the U.S.A. Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Danville, California; Marblehead, Massachusetts; Oak Hill, Florida; Portland, Oregon; Oxnard, California; Hockessin, Deleware. From other countries: Accra, Ghana
Here are two photos of students learning about Paul Salopek and his journey.
Photo by Rob Martin
Photo by Rob Martin
Finally, students shared their Egypt and Mesopotamia mind maps in a gallery walk and we worked on developing skills in giving feedback and learning what is helpful (good) vs. Not so helpful or detailed feedback (Mmmmm….not so good). We will continue to work on this throughout the year because one thing you will be doing a lot of on Out of Eden Learn is giving feedback and asking questions to other students in our walking party.
Helpful, detailed feedback on the right vs. Not so-detailed feedback. We will continue to work on this skill. (Photo by Rob Martin)
A few photos from the past two days where we are learning about the power of mind (concept) mapping, why we do it, how we can organize our ideas, and how we can collaborate to share our thinking. Students will now do a mind map for the civilization they are studying (Egypt or Mesopotamia). We look forward to seeing these next class.
I can’t believe I have only been away from Chennai for one week. I hope you are all having a nice vacation…and reading some books. I just finished a book on Magellan, the explorer who sailed around the world seeking the Spice Islands. It was a really good book, and I learned a lot about him that I never learned in school or university. I’d love to get a post card from you of your travels or where you live. I emailed you my school and home address before school ended. If you send me a postcard, I promise to send you a postcard (email me your address before July 25th if you send it). :>) I am currently in Mexico and will be adding some photos to my Twitter feed. – Mr. Martin
Check out all of the book trailers from Mr. Martin’s L.A. classes. There are some really good ones here. Continue to read during the summer, check out book reviews on the book blog, and use this link to find titles to new books.Read on!
1) Vocabulary Review:Free Rice– A vocabulary website that for every right answer donates 10 grains of rice through the World Food Program to end hunger.
2)Word Games: Play some fun word games – many, many links!
3) Linking to Thinking’sCool Links– recently updated with links for awesome books and more! Our book review blogs are available to find books and to share reading – 24/7. Use them…even next year.
Finally, the post card challenge! Send your teacher(s) a post card from your country or your travels and tell us about a book you are reading (title, author, I like this book because….). Keep it short, it’s just for fun! We’ll email you our school address!
Check out the new books – hundreds of new books – in our 6th grade class library. Mrs. Hall, Ms. Jaya and Mr. Martin recently purchased new books. We are making a return trip to Starmark book store at Phoenix Mall. If you want a particular book title or series added, please comment and let us know some titles you think we should buy.
Students this week will finish reflecting on our visit from author/illustrator, Lauren Stringer. Please remember to keep your 40 book challenge updated. It is expected that you are reading for a minimum of 20-30 minutes each night. We always love to see book reviews on our book review blogs, and we encourage you to share your favorite book with each other.
On Tuesday, Language Arts classes from blocks G and H worked with visiting author Lauren Stringer. We learned about the ‘drama’ of turning a page in a book, and she told students to look at themselves as directors making a movie. “You want a book to change as a scene in a movie,” she said. In addition to pagination, we learned illustration terms like ‘full bleed’ and how illustrators use the entire page or part of the page. We also learned about the ‘gutter,’ or the line going through the center of the book. “You don’t want anything going into the ‘gutter.’
Bring your poem and six page booklet to class this week, so we can continue to work on it. Also, the deadline for the Raptor Reader is Friday. Consider sharing a piece of writing from the first or second semester with a wider audience. What were your reflections on Book Week and our visiting author, Lauren Stringer.
Visiting Author, Lauren Stringer (Photo by Mrs. Hall)
Photo by Mrs. Hall
Photo by Mrs. Hall
Photo by Mrs. Hall
Photo by Mrs. Hall
Photo by Mrs. Hall
Photo by Ms. Monica
Monday marked our first day of Book Week. Students in the B and D Block L.A. classes had a one hour session with our visiting author and illustrator, Lauren Stringer, and created poems, thumbnail sketches, and a storyboard for a simple booklet she called a ‘dummy book.” This is what she sends to her publisher in the beginning stages of the writing or illustration process. Students also learned about such things as pagination, or the process of dividing important content into pages. All students also attended an assembly and had time to ask Ms. Stringer questions. G and H Block L.A. classes will work with our visiting author and illustrator today.
Please share a poem you wrote or take a photo of your work. You can share it in the comment section here and/or on your e-portfolio.
Book Week is quickly approaching. Read the M.S. morning bulletin and find the link to the sign-up sheet for some fun lunch time activities next week. Read more about author Lauren Stringeron this recent blog post in Linking to Thinking. This will be a fun week with great activities. Take full advantage of it and sign up as soon as possible. Spots are limited.
Student Activities (Feb. 5 – 13):
Make Your Own Bookmark (for MS, to promote first-ever Book Week in MS!). MS Lunch in the FAC, Thursday, February 5th and Friday, February 6th.
1) Theatre Arts: Readers’ Theater – Come bring out your inner actor as we act out short plays.
Where: CIC Ground Floor & When: Tuesday, February 10th, 12:30-12:55 (Limited to 20 participants)
2) The Visual Arts: Mural Creation – In this session, we will work together to create a mural illustrating a line of text from a famous story. Bring some creativity and collaboration skills as we work together to create an artistic vision.
Where: The BBT (across from the main office) & When: Wednesday, February 11th, 12:30-12:55 (Limited to 20 participants)
3) The Performing Arts: Creative Movement/Dance with Guest Artist Ruby Smith
Let’s move! This workshop, led by our visiting artist/dancer, Ruby Smith, will focus on creative response to literature through dance and movement. Please wear something comfortable for moving around.
When: Friday, February 13th, 12:30-12:55 & Where: CIC Ground Floor (Limited to 25 participants)
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
- Maya Angelou
Thanks for your help! Let’s make sure we get all of our classroom library books back ASAP!
Out of Eden Walk
Linking to Thinking 
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