Melting Teacher

Want a fun no prep activity that students are excited for and teaches the importance of setting clear expectations, communicating, asking questions AND valuing everyone’s contribution???? Here you have it? I give you: THE CHAIR 👏🏽🙌🏽👏🏽🙌🏽👏🏽
is easy enough. Set out a sturdy chair and ask the students to find as many different ways to sit in it as they can! After each “sit” ask “Was that sitting?” “Was that different?” Eventually someone will get weird (plank on the chair) and you’ll have a student say “No... that’s not sitting.” Then we have a discussion: what is sitting? Do both butt cheeks have to be on the chair? And with different! Is is different if I change my hands? Or does my position need to change?
In the end reflect on what this taught them! You’ll love the conclusions your students walk away with on this one.

I love technology and I love the Internet but I know so often I get sucked into a black hole of Wikipedia or Twitter or Instagram and before I know it it's been three hours and I've gotten nothing accomplished.

When I was in high school and I had my very first desktop computer. I would actually turn my internet connection off if I really wanted to get a paper done. Now I use technology so much that turning Wi-Fi off is not always an option for me.

So I have two things I really really like that help keep me focused the first is Dayboard which you can actually see in my Instagram stories today and the other one is just the method. I'm wondering what tips, techniques and general all of you amazing teachers have that I can borrow to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Education Dive recently published an article about my use of technology in my classes use of Virtual Reality, BuzzFeed(ish) quizzes and infographics to help my students with their writing.

What do virtual reality, BuzzFeed quizzes and essay writing have in common? Teacher Carissa Peck uses technology to pepper her English language arts class and students turn into better writers for her effort.

Flashing back to teaching summer school four year’s ago. We had a particularly difficult day of grammar and practice TOEFL testing, so when we had time for conversational practice we hopped over to SDSU’s Turtle Pond to play some games and enjoy the sunshine. I know this isn’t always possible, but I encourage it when you can. Have independent reading? Why not take them outside? Socratic circles don’t need to stay indoors? Make dream flags and hang them outside! As I sit outside enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather I pledge to spend more time outdoors with my kiddos this year. What about you? Do you have any favorite lesson plans outside with your students?

Anyone down for PD in your PJs? https://mrcssharesease.wordpress.com/madpd-2018/ is this weekend!

It is a virtual “unconference” with one goal: to make a difference for the greater education community. Each teacher recorded a "promo" so to speak on flipgrid so you can watch those to pick your favorite. Every hour on the hour on Saturday different presenters will be presenting live on YouTube! I am planning on hitting up a session on increasing empathy, learning more tricks for dyslexia and buffing up my ELL teaching knowledge.

#MADPD 2018 is a virtual “unconference” with one goal: to make a difference for the greater education community. On May 6, 100 educators from across the globe will share one idea that makes a difference…

I just found this video from FOUR years ago on how to introducing yourself on day one

Give clues to spelling your name How do you introduce yourself to a new class of English students? I like to use grammar, pictures and a bit of my background. Check out http://lteacherstoolb...

Who has two thumbs and is headed to in March? This girl!!

I'm one of the many volunteers helping make the CATE 2018 Convention (www.CATEweb.org) happen. I'm so excited about the theme of this statewide convention which is about social justice in the classroom. If you are a California English teacher (or can make it to San Diego in March) you should look this up!! Link in comments!

Just sharing what the school copy room looks like. We're each given a code and while we technically do not have a limit, the amount of copies we make are tracked. How's it work at your school? Do you have someone who makes copies for you? Have any pictures? Share in the comments

What were you like when you were a student of the grade you teach now?

I was a huge fan of journalism...and now I teach it!

Whatever you do the first day please don't read them the syllabus! Here are four different options for that first day (or even week!) that will be much preferred by your students (and you too) http://bit.ly/4waystostarttheyear

To help you get ready for back to school I'm taking part in a back to school giveaway! Check it out http://languageartsclassroom.com/2017/07/back-school-secondary-teachers.html