If you’re looking for a really simple way to foster creativity and work on poetry, I have a fun idea for you: poetry plates! Simply have your students create an image by filling in the space without cutting or adding anything to it. Then, have them write a poem on the back of the plate, and voila! A fun display… View Post
The Writer’s Coffeehouse is one of my favorites! It is a special celebration that brings in students and family members to build community and celebrate learning. Years ago, I used to select an evening after school then invite parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, and basically whomever was near and dear to my students into the school to celebrate literacy. The students were obviously also… View Post
I am always looking for novel ways to engage my students, and I love when I can do it in a simple, inexpensive way. During a recent trip to Dollar Tree, I stumbled upon sets of brightly colored ice cube trays, and I immediately knew what I’d make. Game boards! I numbered colored dots 1-7, and then I placed each… View Post
Poetry can be intimidating to teach, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to be a poet or a savant. You simply have to give your students access to an array of poetry and the guidance to closely examine and analyze each poet’s craft…their artful use of poetic devices. It’s certainly important to teach writing explicitly, but one… View Post
I recently popped into Michaels for a few art supplies, and as usual, I found myself wandering down the home decor aisles. I love everything about this collection, first of all. The bright colors and vintage vibe fit perfectly with my classroom style. Beyond that though, there is so much potential for vocabulary instruction here. Just imagine displaying small vocabulary… View Post