Teaching A Christmas Carol with social justice themes for diverse classrooms
We love this time of year. The air grows crisp and cold and sweater weather is in full effect. It is also when we begin our unit on the Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. If you are anything like us, you have started to decolonize your curriculum. We have put serious thought into the texts we use for our teaching and have made sure that we no longer cling to texts that only represent the white dominant culture. You may be asking, well then, why are you teaching A Christmas Carol?
This year we have focused on the theme of systems and power. We got the idea from Matthew R. Kay’s Book, Not Light But Fire. We have been trying to center each of our units of study with the frame: “How are systems created and defined? How do systems shape the world? What is the role of the individual in systems?” We have discussed the ideas of systems in history, and A Christmas Carol is a great intro into these systems when it comes to English Language Arts.
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How to Teach a Character Study Unit
One of our favorite week long units of study focuses on character analysis. It is a sure fire lesson to increase student engagement. They love learning more about themselves and others around them. Some of the topics we teach with our students involve character analysis vocabulary, direct vs. indirect characterization, and emotions vs. traits.
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Sound Machines in the Classroom to Increase Productivity and Decrease Distractions
So, here’s a weird concept. My husband has been working in the construction field as an electrician for the past five years. He has wired offices from Sales Force to Facebook, Twitter to We Work. A common thread amongst a majority of the office projects has been overhead sound machines built into the ceilings. The speaker system emits a hum throughout the common work space. One barely even notices the steady thrum unless it is unexpectedly turned off. This got me thinking, what if I added a sound machine to my classroom?
Read on for the results…
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The Importance of Teaching Writing Syntax in the Classroom
Teaching syntax is not just about grammar; it's about unlocking the potential of every student to articulate their ideas clearly and confidently, setting the stage for academic and professional success.
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The Power of Writing Syntax: Enhancing Student Communication and Academic Success
Teaching syntax is not just about grammar rules—it's about empowering students to convey their thoughts clearly and confidently. In this blog post, we’ll explore what writing syntax is, why it is crucial to teach it, and how educators can effectively incorporate it into their classrooms.
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Classroom Management Strategies That Work
The beginning of the school year is well underway, and your knowledge about each of your students is growing. If you have not done so already, now is the time to begin instilling clear expectations for your students about how you want your class to run. Whether you’re a veteran teacher or this is your first year, aside from building strong relationships with your students, classroom management is the most important thing you can do to keep your classroom running smoothly for the rest of the school year.
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Building a Supportive Community: The Importance of Teacher Networks
Let’s dive into something that can elevate your teaching experience from solitary confinement to a vibrant, collaborative adventure: building a supportive teacher network. Imagine a space where you can swap lesson plans, vent about the challenges of integrating new technology like AI in the classroom, and celebrate the small wins that only fellow teachers truly understand. Ready to make that a reality? Let's go!
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Teaching Conceptual Note Taking Skills
Conceptualizing includes practicing the skills of using information to understand important relationships and concepts. It encourages students to think bigger. Students learn deeper when they are taught how to conceptualize.
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Bringing History to Life: Using Humy.ai to Engage Students with Historical Figures
Imagine transforming your classroom into a dynamic stage where historical figures come to life, engaging your students in realistic and meaningful conversations. With Humy.ai, this vision becomes a reality, offering an innovative way to enhance your teaching and captivate your students' imaginations.
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Unmasking the Mysteries of Student Writing: A Teacher's Guide to the Chrome Extension Revision History
Ever wonder if your students are wizards of words or if there's some digital magic afoot in their writing? As teachers, we strive to nurture genuine creativity and honest effort. But in the age of AI, how do we ensure that the essays and reports we receive are truly the fruits of our students' labor?
Enter the Chrome Extension: Revision History. This handy tool doesn't just track changes—it reveals the story behind every keystroke. Let’s delve into how this can be your new favorite classroom assistant.
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Spooky Fun Middle School Writing Activities for the Month of October
If you’re looking for some spooky fun writing activities for the month of October, look no further. These two activities are a sure fire way to get even your most reluctant writers excited about writing.
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