Category: <span>Classroom Resources</span>

What Happens When Middle Schoolers Read Maus?

I was introduced to the graphic novel, Maus (I and II), in my second year of teaching. I took over an existing Gifted and Talented program from a master teacher who had already been using the book in her classroom. Upon reading the book, I knew exactly why it had …

The Writing Club – Personal Digital Graveyard #1

Every other Wednesday for two years, I called together a group of disaffected youth to write and talk and think together. We would move desks into a little huddle, allowing the kid who could solve Rubix cubes with one hand to perform when she wasn’t writing. We would share poems …

Guest Teaching 12.05.08

Cores 1-4: Discuss-on: Brainstorm ways in which you would like to “reframe” A Christmas Carol: Well, let’s talk about how we will be reframing A Christmas Carol using animation and microblogging. First, XtraNormal will allow us to completely create the scene, choose the characters and their actions, and even add …

Guest Teaching 10.29.08

Cores 1+4: Write-on:  How can we decipher the symbolism of Maus 2, extracting more meaning from only the images? Frame analysis: Describe- Describe the frame in detail. Make sure you find even the smallest pieces of information that are hiding within the illustration. Explain- Explain the meaning of each of …

05.19.08

Cores 1+4: Discuss-on: Watch Animal Farm and look for your own reasoning. Extensions: Mentally prepare yourself for summer. Core 2: Quiz-it-Up Discuss-on: Watch Animal Farm and look for your own reasoning. Extensions: Mentally prepare yourself for summer. Core 3: Write-on: Talk about writing arguments, support, and two-sided debate. Collect support …

05.15.08

Core 4: Write-on: Read Chapter 9 and 10 of Animal Farm What does the new generation of pigs mean for the farm? Do you think that anyone will get to retire? How does Boxer’s health lead to the final straw of inequality? What is going to happen to Animal Farm …

05.14.08

Core 1: Write-on: Read Chapter 9 and 10 of Animal Farm What does the new generation of pigs mean for the farm? Do you think that anyone will get to retire? How does Boxer’s health lead to the final straw of inequality? What is going to happen to Animal Farm …

Animal Farm Images from Chapter 8

http://arungoodboy.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/animal_farm_2.jpg http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/animal%20farm.jpg http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-stories-animal-farm-330×220 http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/images/animalfarm2.jpg http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/wda0443l.jpg http://www.thewindmillfarm.com/images/WindmillFarmColor.jpg http://www.liquidmatrix.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/explosion.png http://storage1.morguefile.com/images/storage/x/xpistwv/lowrez/Rubble2.jpg http://www.edu.pe.ca/threeoaks/grassroots/animal/graphics%5Cwindmill.jpg http://www.annexed.net/freedom/AnimalFarmCommandments.jpg http://www.abc.edu.sv/seniors/English/IB%20Texts/IB%20Prose%20Fiction/Book%20Cover%20Images/Animal%20Farm.jpg http://www.jamestownri.com/library/hist-photos/12-1%20Windmill.jpg http://69.90.174.252/photos/display_pic_with_logo/81195/81195,1175989354,3.jpg

05.13.08

Cores 1+4: Write-on: Read Chapter 8 of Animal Farm Why are the pigs new rules so far reaching? Why are they not satisfied with equality? Did the animal truly succeed in the second battle? What did they win? Write from the viewpoint of a pig and of another animal in …

05.12.08

Cores 1+4: Write-on/Blog-on: Honor the work you did on Utopias. Talk about Digital Portfolios Extensions: Finish that last book that you have been working on before summer. Core 2: Rev-It-Up Talk about Script and Planning. Work on your utopia for our three purposes: Creating Community Telling the story of Utopia …