National Poetry Month: A Celebration of Words

April showers bring May flowers, and in the literary world, April brings poetry. Since 1996, the Academy of American Poets has dedicated this month to celebrating the power and beauty of poetry. It's a time to recognize the profound impact that verse has on our lives, our cultures, and our understanding of the world.

Poetry is more than just rhythm and rhyme; it's a language of the soul. It captures the essence of human experience, from the mundane to the extraordinary. Whether it's a love sonnet, a haunting ballad, or a free-verse exploration of identity, poetry has the unique ability to connect with us on a deep and personal level.

Why Does Poetry Matter?

• It fosters empathy: By exploring diverse perspectives and emotions, poetry helps us understand and connect with others on a human level.
• It sparks creativity: Poetry encourages us to think critically, use language creatively, and see the world in new ways.
• It preserves culture: Through the ages, poetry has documented history, shared traditions, and preserved cultural heritage.
• It brings joy: A well-crafted poem can bring laughter, tears, or simply a moment of peace and reflection.

How to Celebrate National Poetry Month

• Read poetry: Discover new poets, revisit old favorites, or share poems with friends and family.
• Listen to song lyrics: Lyrics are powerful poems combined with vocal performances. 
• Write poetry: Unleash your inner poet and experiment with different forms and styles.
• Attend in-person poetry readings and events. You can also find them online. Search online for "poetry readings."
• Share poetry on social media: Use hashtags like #NationalPoetryMonth to spread the love of poetry.

National Poetry Month is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the magic of words. Whether you're a seasoned poet or simply a curious reader, there's something special about exploring the world through poetry. Let's come together to celebrate the power of language and the enduring spirit of the written word.

Teachers can help students learn to write and analyze poetry, which will help them better appreciate its rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language.

You will find several resources in my store to help your students appreciate and analyze poetry.

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Empowering Young Writers: The Art of Self-Editing

Spring Cleaning Your Writing

Teaching students to revise and edit their own work is a cornerstone of effective writing instruction. By developing these skills, students become more independent learners, critical thinkers, and confident communicators. But how can we help our students become their own best editors?

Why Self-Editing Matters

• Students who can self-edit are less reliant on teachers for feedback, allowing them to take ownership of their writing.

• The process of revising and editing demands critical thinking from students as they analyze their work, make informed choices and enhance their writing.

• As students see their writing improve through self-editing, their confidence in their abilities grows.

Strategies for Effective Self-Editing

• Break down the process into manageable steps: brainstorming ideas, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
• Model the process for students, thinking aloud as you revise and edit a writing sample
• Use anchor charts or checklists to guide students through the process.
• Focus on one or two areas at a time, such as capitalization or punctuation.
• As students become proficient, introduce new editing skills.

 

Create a Positive Writing Environment:

• Foster a classroom culture where mistakes are opportunities for growth.
• Celebrate the writing process, not just the final product.

 

Encourage Peer Editing:

• Pair students for peer editing sessions.
• Provide a structured format for giving and receiving feedback.
• Teach students how to offer constructive criticism.
• Use online tools and resources to support self-editing.
• Explore grammar and spelling checkers, but emphasize the importance of human judgment.

 

Tips for Student Success

• Set Realistic Goals: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase expectations.

• Provide Ample Time: Allow students sufficient time for both drafting and revising.

• Offer Specific Feedback: When providing feedback, focus on specific areas for improvement.

• Use a Variety of Texts: Expose students to different genres and writing styles to expand their editing skills.

By implementing these strategies, you can help your students develop the essential skills of self-editing and become confident, independent writers. Remember, the journey to becoming a skilled writer is a process, and with patience and practice, your students will achieve remarkable results.

Here's a free resource that will help students practice removing redundant words to improve their writing.

Get your FREE Resource here.

Since I am a fiction writer, I spend many hours each day revising and editing my manuscripts. I have created resources for secondary students that will help them polish and improve their writing, too. The best way to purchase these activities is in a money-saving bundle, but they can also be purchased individually.

Save 20% on the Bundle

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Bookworms Unite: A Celebration of Reading

Bookworms Unite: A Celebration of Reading

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I am an unabashed bookworm. On any given day, I am writing a book, reading a book, or listening to an audiobook. It can get a bit confusing.

As a high school English teacher in El Paso, Texas, I encouraged my students to read every day, and I assigned six books a year. I thought students should read whatever interested them, and I let their parents help them make good choices.

The list below offers a diverse range of genres and topics to appeal to a wide range of students. Encourage students to explore different genres and authors to find their own reading passions. Only you and your students' parents and guardians can make the final choice when selecting titles.

Classic Literature

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A timeless exploration of racial injustice and coming-of-age.
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A dazzling portrayal of the American Dream and the Jazz Age.
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: A witty and romantic tale of love and social class.
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding: A thought-provoking exploration of human nature and survival.
• 1984 by George Orwell: A chilling dystopian novel about totalitarianism and surveillance.

Contemporary Fiction

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: A poignant story of survival and hope during World War II.
• Divergent by Veronica Roth: A thrilling dystopian adventure with a strong heroine.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: A gripping tale of rebellion and survival.
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: An interweaving story of love, loss, and resilience during World War II.
• The Martian by Andy Weir: A gripping survival story set on Mars.

Historical Fiction

• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: A suspenseful tale of friendship and courage during World War II.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Also listed in Contemporary Fiction)
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: A time-traveling adventure filled with romance and history.
• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel: A richly detailed historical novel about Thomas Cromwell.
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: A powerful exploration of slavery and escape.

Science Fiction and Fantasy

• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: A thought-provoking story of a young boy trained to be a military leader.
• Dune by Frank Herbert: A complex and epic science fiction novel.
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: A humorous and absurd sci-fi comedy.
• Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: A beloved series of fantasy novels about a young wizard.
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: An epic fantasy adventure.

Nonfiction

• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: An inspiring story of resilience and survival.
• A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah: A heartbreaking account of child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari: A fascinating exploration of human history.
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain: A thoughtful look at the strengths of introverts.
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: A powerful story about medical ethics and scientific discovery.

February is a month that celebrates:
Valentine's Day
President's Day
Black History Month
American Heart Moth
Groundhog Day
and the Super Bowl!

Here's a fun Google Search Activity 

This no-prep resource will help students master subject/verb agreement.

Visit my store for more helpful resources.

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Tips When Grading Assignments to Help Your Students Achieve Success

If you are using one of my Simple Steps to Sentence Sense ebooks to teach grammar and usage, I hope you have discovered that students can succeed, make good grades, and even enjoy learning. 

What a wonderful feeling it is to give students frequent chances to succeed and feel good about themselves!

The way to achieve this is really simple, no matter what concept you're teaching. If you are using my books, break each lesson into several components when grading students’ group and individual practice exercises. (I always let my students trade and grade except on tests.) 

For example, when you do Step 3: Finding the Subject, don’t just check for the subjects that students find in each sentence. That would only give students 20 answers at 5 points apiece and make it easy for them to get a low score. 

Instead, count the prepositional phrase(s) in each sentence as one point, the verb phrase as one point, and the subject as one point. Voila! Now, there are over 60 answers, and students can miss several and still get a decent score. 

Of course, these tips work with any assignment you give your students, whether or not it comes from one of my books. 

For each step, you can decide which parts of the sentence are the key parts. For example, when working on Step 4: Finding the Complements, the key is deciding if the verb is action or linking before looking for the complement. When grading each paper, be sure to count the verb and whether it is an action or a linking verb, along with the complement as key elements in the score. 

Use the answer pages in the back of the book to count the number of elements you plan to score in each lesson. Make your directions clear about which parts of the sentence students are to mark when scoring papers. This is another opportunity for the teacher to re-teach and emphasize that sentence analysis must be done in steps and that the steps must be done in order. Skipping a step is a recipe for confusion and disaster. 

This method could become a bit too much of a hassle if the teacher has to do the math each time papers are graded and figure out the correct score for papers with 63 answers or 71 answers, etc. It could, but it won’t if you download my Grading Scale Chart. 

You can print the chart on both sides of a sheet of paper, slip it into a plastic folder sleeve, and take it with you anywhere. You can even give your students a copy if you so desire. 

Simple Steps to Sentence Sense is an easy and enjoyable way to teach grammar. You will find the books HERE. You know you are successful when you hear students say, “This is fun.” Grammar? Fun? Well, all right! 

Please tell your friends and colleagues about my book. Simple Steps to Sentence Sense is also a useful tool for foreign language teachers, and it is helpful for special education and ESL students.

Visit my store for more helpful resources.

Thanks for reading. Check out the Linky Party below to find blog posts from my teacher friends at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you would like to join this group, click here.

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How to Spread Warmth and Hope

Tips to Create Gift Bags for the Homeless This Christmas

The holiday season is a time for giving, and there's no better way to show compassion than by helping those in need. One impactful way to make a difference is by creating gift bags for homeless individuals.  

A gallon-sized plastic bag filled with essential items can provide much-needed comfort and support during the coldest months of the year. This can be a class project, or students can create bags as individual projects. 

I sent a letter home to parents inviting them to create bags with their children as a great opportunity to teach children about compassion and giving back to the community. My letter made it very clear that his project would not receive a grade and that it was entirely voluntary. I was pleasantly surprised at how many participated. 

What to Include in the Gift Bags

When assembling your gift bags, focus on practical items that can improve the daily lives of those experiencing homelessness. Ensure all items are new or gently used and packaged in clean bags.

Warmth and Comfort:

Thick socks 

Beanies

Gloves

Scarves

Blankets (small, travel-sized)

Hygiene Essentials

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Soap

Sunscreen

Deodorant

Wet wipes

Lip balm
Nourishment:

Protein bars

Granola bars

Nuts and seeds

Water bottles

Additional Items:

Rain ponchos

Band-aids and first-aid supplies

Individually wrapped tissues

Making it Personal

To add a personal touch, consider including a handwritten note of encouragement.

Where to Distribute Your Gift Bags

There are several ways to distribute your gift bags:

• Local Homeless Shelters: Contact your local homeless shelter to inquire about their needs and donation procedures.

• Soup Kitchens and Food Banks: These organizations often interact with individuals experiencing homelessness and can distribute the bags on your behalf.

• Outreach Programs: Many cities have organizations dedicated to helping the homeless. Research local options and see how you can partner with them.

By creating and distributing gift bags, you can make a tangible impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Your generosity can bring warmth, comfort, and hope during the holiday season and beyond. It makes an excellent class or group project.

I have a free resource for your students to help them get into the spirit of the season.

Download your FREE resource here.

Download this resource here.

Thanks for reading. I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. 

Charlene

Visit my store for more helpful resources.

Thanks for reading. Check out the Linky Party below to find blog posts from my teacher friends at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you would like to join this group, click here.

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