August 29, 2016

On My Bookshelf: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis follows the life of Hattie Shepherd and her children, beginning in 1923 and moving toward present day. Each of the children has his or her own unique struggles set against the backdrop of a changing America. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: In 1923, fifteen-year-old Hattie Shepherd, swept up by the tides of the Great Migration, flees Georgia and heads north. Full of hope, she settles in Philadelphia to build a better life. Instead she marries a man who will bring her nothing but disappointment, and watches helplessly as her firstborn twins are lost to an illness that a few pennies could have prevented. Hattie gives birth to nine more children, whom she raises with grit, mettle, and not an ounce of the tenderness they crave. She vows to prepare them to meet a world that will not be kind. Their lives, captured here in twelve luminous threads, tell the story of a mother’s monumental courage—and a nation's tumultuous journey.

Why I liked it: The novel begins in the 1920s with the death of Hattie’s twins. Each chapter that follows introduces one of Hattie’s children, “her tribe,” with a few chapters interspersed focused on Hattie. The death of her first children and the hardships of poverty cause Hattie to be a tough love kind of mother. She doesn’t want her children to be disappointed by life.

As each chapter of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie focuses on a different character, each chapter is also a peek into a different time period. In addition to the changing moments in history, each of Hattie’s children has his or her own unique struggles. Some struggle with their sexuality, others with mental health issues, another with alcoholism, one with a religious calling and another with tuberculosis. 
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis follows the life of Hattie Shepherd and her children, beginning in 1923 and moving toward present day. Each of the children has his or her own unique struggles set against the backdrop of a changing America. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Classroom application: This text would be a great fiction pairing in an African American history
or American history course. If you've seen the film The Butler, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie covers roughly the same time periods. The two would make a great pairing for ELA CCSS #7 (analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment).

If you are covering the topics of racism and the civil rights movement, the chapter that focuses on Pearl (Hattie's younger sister) and her husband’s drive up from the South would be a good chapter to utilize. The husband and wife stop by the side of the road for a picnic dinner on their drive to Philadelphia. A group of white men pulls up and forces the two to leave the park. The scene is not violent, but incredibly tense and full of powerful emotions (fear and humiliation).

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Twelve Tribe of Hattie for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

August 28, 2016

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Teaching 2.0 Open Forum

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be an open forum so bring any questions you have about teaching.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last school year and we hope that you will join us again.

New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, August 30, our #2ndaryELA chat will be an open forum. That means you'll be posing your questions live and we'll all try to answer as many as we can. We're excited to try this for the first time so bring your burning questions!

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: What questions do you have about teaching reading in your classroom this year? #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: What questions do you have about teaching writing in your classroom this year? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: What questions do you have about teaching grammar & vocabulary in your classroom this year? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: What questions do you have about using technology in your classroom this year? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: Any other questions? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

August 22, 2016

On My Bookshelf: Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a classic novel set in the Great Depression. Two friends, Lennie and George, dream of their own ranch, but can't hold down jobs long enough to get together the money they need to buy one. Just when it seems their dream might be in reach, tragedy strikes. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation.

Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.

Why I liked it: The classic novel Of Mice and Men is one I first read in high school, but I forgot how tragic the ending is. The plot is simple, but it is impossible not to connect with the characters' plights.

George and Lennie are migrant workers roaming the country side during the Great Depression, trying to stay one step away from the trouble that seems to plague them. Lennie struggles intellectually and has a fixation for powering soft things, whether it's mice, puppies, or girls' dresses. George, who promised Lennie's aunt he would look after him, struggles with this burden.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a classic novel set in the Great Depression. Two friends, Lennie and George, dream of their own ranch, but can't hold down jobs long enough to get together the money they need to buy one. Just when it seems their dream might be in reach, tragedy strikes. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

The two have a dream of eventually having land of their own and with the help of Candy, an older worker at their newest ranch, that dream seems almost possible. Unfortunately, Curley, the boss's son seems to have it out for Lennie and Curley's wife is looking for attention any where she can get it. Lennie puts he and George in danger once again, and George has to make a terrible decision about their friendship.

Classroom application: The novel could be used to focus on any and all literary terms: conflict, setting, characterization, theme, symbolism, foreshadowing, mood, etc.

Because it is short, it is a great choice if you have to do all of your reading in class or if you are trying to build up independent reading stamina with your students. There are several film versions, one old, two newer ones, and even a film of the play version of the novel. Watching one is the perfect opportunity to practice Common Core standard #7.

Again, because it is short, the novel is perfect for using nonfiction pairings. I used some articles about migrants, like this one and this one, and this one on homelessness. I also used articles about the history of mental health treatment like this one, this onethis one, and this one. We read about Joe Louis here, here, and here. Students often find Steinbeck's letter to the actress who played Curley's wife interesting and I often also share Steinbeck's speech at the banquet for the Nobel Prize which still inspires writers today.

You can find all of my resources for teaching Of Mice and Men here.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Of Mice and Men for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

August 21, 2016

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: YA Lit in the ELA Classroom

Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last school year and we hope that you will join us again.




Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.


New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, August 23, our #2ndaryELA chat will focus on young adult literature in the ELA classroom.

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: Do you include young adult literature in your curriculum or just your classroom library? Explain. #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: What are your students’ favorite young adult titles? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: What titles would you recommend to help diversify a classroom library? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: Where/how do you find new books for your classroom library or to use in your teaching? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: Do you or your students do book talks? What other ways do you share what you are reading? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

August 19, 2016

Implementing Stations In A Secondary Classroom: How to Use Them for Reading & Writing

Stations are an excellent opportunities for incorporating movement and collaboration into learning in the classroom. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed using stations for reading and writing activities as well as collaborative versus independent station work, assessing student learning, and managing student behavior during station work. Read through the chat for ideas to implement in your own classroom.
This #2ndaryELA Twitter chat was all about stations, also known as rotations or centers. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed using stations for reading and writing activities as well as collaborative versus independent station work, checking for understanding, and managing student behavior during station work.

Read through the chat below for ideas on using stations in conjunction with reading: pre-reading, close reading, analysis of character, or for ideas on using stations in conjunction with writing: brainstorming, editing, revising. You'll find ways to assess student learning such as written reflection, group discussion, or sometimes a simple checklist. You'll also learn how to keep students on task with tips like using a timer, setting clear norms, and circulating the room.

Hope you'll join us next Tuesday August 23rd at 8pm EST to talk about using young adult literature in the classroom. We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group (even if you aren't on Twitter).

August 15, 2016

On My Bookshelf: Testimony by Anita Shreve

In Testimony by Anita Shreve, after one night of bad decisions, things are never the same at Avery Academy, a private school in New England. The incident cannot be contained and as a result, students are expelled, relationships and marriages are ruined, and choices are made that can never be undone. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

Writing with a pace and intensity surpassing even her own greatest work, Anita Shreve delivers in Testimony a gripping emotional drama with the impact of a thriller. No one more compellingly explores the dark impulses that sway the lives of seeming innocents, the needs and fears that drive ordinary men and women into intolerable dilemmas, and the ways in which our best intentions can lead to our worst transgressions.

Why I liked it: After several students tape a night of sexual debauchery, things are never the same at Avery Academy, a private school in New England. The head master discovers the tape and tries, unsuccessfully, to contain the incident. As a result, students are expelled, relationships and marriages are ruined, and choices are made that can never be undone. Besides the students involved and the head master, the novel is narrated by a variety of characters including Avery teachers and students, other staff members, parents, and townspeople and weaves incidents from the past and present as a researcher conducts a study in alcohol and adolescent boys.
In Testimony by Anita Shreve, after one night of bad decisions, things are never the same at Avery Academy, a private school in New England. The incident cannot be contained and as a result, students are expelled, relationships and marriages are ruined, and choices are made that can never be undone. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Because of the weaving of past and present events from the perspective of multiple characters, the plot of Testimony builds in intensity as the terrible things you hope won't happen mostly do. While some of the characters annoyed me at times, especially one love sick teenager, I found it impossible not to be drawn into the drama.

Classroom application: The novel begins with a very graphic description of the students' sex tape, so this may not be appropriate for your classroom, even for the oldest of students. That said, the novel would be a fascinating topic of discussion in a psychology or sociology class and would connect to many real world topics.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Testimony for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

August 14, 2016

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Learning Stations, Rotations, & Centers

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will focus on learning stations, rotations, and centers.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last school year and we hope that you will join us again.




Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.


New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, August 16, our #2ndaryELA chat will focus on learning stations, rotations, and centers.

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: How do you use learning stations/rotations/centers in connection with reading? #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: How do you use learning stations/rotations/centers in connection with writing? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: Are the activities in your learning stations/rotations/centers usually independent or collaborative? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: Is there always a tangible product in your learning stations/rotations/centers? How do you hold students accountable for their work? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: How do you manage student behavior during learning stations/rotations/centers? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

August 12, 2016

Setting Up a Secondary ELA Classroom: Ideas for Seating Arrangement, Decor & Displaying Student Work

During the school year, your classroom is a second home to you and students. You want it to be functional but also comfortable and welcoming. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed their classrooms: seating arrangements, decorations, organization of materials and supplies, and student work displays. Teachers also shared pictures of their classrooms and ones that inspire them. Read through the chat for ideas to implement in your own classroom.
This #2ndaryELA Twitter chat was all about preparing for setting up the classroom. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed seating arrangements, classroom decorations, organization of materials, and displaying student work. Teachers also shared pictures of their classrooms and ones that inspire them.
Read through the chat below for ideas on flexible seating options, arranging your desks, decorating, and showcasing evidence of student learning. You'll find ways to keep clutter to a minimum and have student supplies easily accessible. You'll also get to peek inside other teachers' classrooms to see it all in action.

Hope you'll join us next Tuesday August 16th at 8pm EST to talk about learning stations, rotations, and centers. We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group (even if you aren't on Twitter). 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction. 

August 8, 2016

On My Bookshelf: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton is set in Amsterdam in the late 1600s where wealth and religion are prominent. Young and just married Nella finds her new husband distant and his household uncomfortable. Then curious things start happening in the cabinet-sized dollhouse given to Nella as a wedding present that may reveal some of the secrets of her new home. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam—a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion—a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

”There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed . . .“

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office—leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella’s world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist—an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes’ gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand—and fear—the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton is set in Amsterdam in the late 1600s where wealth and religion are prominent. Young and just married Nella finds her new husband distant and his household uncomfortable. Then curious things start happening in the cabinet-sized dollhouse given to Nella as a wedding present that may reveal some of the secrets of her new home. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: Nella is eighteen and finds herself married to an older man; her family has a good name but is almost destitute due to her deceased father's debt. When she arrives at her new home in the city, she finds her husband, a merchant, is not there to welcome her, but instead his unmarried sister, his Moor man servant, and a maid about her own age. Nella struggles to find her place in this household of secrets and strange relationships. Her husband gives her a gift of a miniature house, but the craftsman who provides her with furnishings seems to have the ability to see the future, though Nella may not always understand it.

The Miniaturist is full of complex characters with even more complex relationships. No one is without flaws, but as you come to know more about the five main characters of the Brandt household, you empathize with them all and can't help but want everything to turn out okay. In the end it is not all okay, which is another reason I liked the novel. The ending is far from neat or predictable.

Classroom application: The novel is set in 17th-century Amsterdam so there are historical connections. The cabinet house in the story is a real object, now a museum artifact. Students who prefer historical fiction will gravitate toward this read.

However, the religion of the time is heavily referenced, so it is book you might not want to assign if you know religion is a hot issue with your students and/or parents. Similarly, homosexuality (considered sodomy in that time period) is also an issue in the book, so you may not find it appropriate for your classroom library.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Miniaturist for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here. Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

August 7, 2016

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Setting Up the ELA Classroom

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will focus on setting up the ELA classroom.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last school year and we hope that you will join us again.




Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.


New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, August 9, our #2ndaryELA chat will focus on setting up the ELA classroom.

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: How do arrange the seating in your classroom? Is it flexible or permanent?#2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: Does your classroom decor have a theme or is it all about functionality? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: Explain how you keep classroom supplies and materials organized. #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: What is your favorite way to display student work and evidence of learning? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: Share a picture of your classroom or one that inspires you. #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

August 1, 2016

On My Bookshelf: China Dolls by Lisa See

In China Dolls by Lisa See, three young Asian women meet while auditioning at a San Francisco nightclub and quickly become friends despite their differences. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II will change everything. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: It’s 1938 in San Francisco: a world’s fair is preparing to open on Treasure Island, a war is brewing overseas, and the city is alive with possibilities. Grace, Helen, and Ruby, three young women from very different backgrounds, meet by chance at the exclusive and glamorous Forbidden City nightclub. Grace Lee, an American-born Chinese girl, has fled the Midwest with nothing but heartache, talent, and a pair of dancing shoes. Helen Fong lives with her extended family in Chinatown, where her traditional parents insist that she guard her reputation like a piece of jade. The stunning Ruby Tom challenges the boundaries of convention at every turn with her defiant attitude and no-holds-barred ambition.

The girls become fast friends, relying on one another through unexpected challenges and shifting fortunes. When their dark secrets are exposed and the invisible thread of fate binds them even tighter, they find the strength and resilience to reach for their dreams. But after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, paranoia and suspicion threaten to destroy their lives, and a shocking act of betrayal changes everything.
In China Dolls by Lisa See, three young Asian women meet while auditioning at a San Francisco nightclub and quickly become friends despite their differences. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II will change everything. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: Ruby, Grace, and Helen are all in San Francisco pre-World War II for different reasons. Ruby is hiding her Japanese identity and trying to make it on her own. Grace has run away from her abusive father and is also hoping to become a star. Helen is suffering under her father's protective, traditional Chinese ways and a haunting past.

Despite their differences, the three girls connect, become close friends, and active in the San Francisco nightlife, dancing at nightclubs and the Golden Gate International Exposition. As the war approaches, it becomes more and more difficult for Ruby to hide her true identity. She and Grace quarrel over a love interest, and Helen becomes entangled with a male dancer masking his homosexual lifestyle. While each of the girls had their own separate struggles, by the war's end they have a chance to reunite and dance together again. The novel ends with the girls in old age looking back on all they have accomplished.

And oh the drama! The three girls in China Dolls have a very close friendship, but that doesn't mean there isn't jealousy, secrets, and betrayals. A trio of friends has a special dynamic and the author realistically captures how one friend is always trying to one up another to be the "best" friend.

The time period is also one of my favorites and the book gives you an interesting look at life for women during WWII.

Classroom application: This novel could be a selection for literature circles focused on the theme of racism. The novel touches on the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, but even more heavily focuses on the discrimination Asians faced in their day to day life. During that time period there were laws against marrying Caucasians. In the classroom, our discussions around racism too often focus on African Americans. It is important for students to know that our groups faced similar struggles.

Like with Panic, you could also use it as a mentor text to have students practice writing from alternating perspectives and developing multiple, intersecting plot lines (part of the narrative writing standards for grades 11-12), except this has three alternating narrators, not just two. Developing each of the three characters equally would definitely be a challenge.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of China Dolls for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.
Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Using Positive Reinforcement as a Classroom Management Tool at the Secondary Level

Stop negative behavior in your classroom before it starts by reinforcing your expectations and recognizing positive student behaviors. With two simple tools, I successfully managed student behavior at the secondary level. A ticket system and "shout outs" are little to no cost, require little work for you as the teacher, and will encourage on task, positive behavior from your middle school and high school students.
Before becoming a certified teacher, I worked for three years with schools and literacy organizations in Philadelphia. I then taught high school English, primarily ninth grade, for six years, also in Philadelphia. Last year I worked as an intervention specialist with grades 3-8 in a small charter school, still in Philadelphia. This year I'll be back at the same school, but in a different role. In my new position as a literacy coach I'll still be providing literacy interventions to students, but I'll also be working with teachers on best practices.

My six years as a high school English teacher were spent in some of the most challenging schools in the district, the kind of schools that made other teachers in the district shudder and say, "I don't know how you can work there." Despite the negative view of outsiders and the actual difficulties of teaching within those schools, my classroom was usually a safe, positive environment in which rigorous learning took place. This was not to say that there was never any misbehavior from students, but by reinforcing my expectations and recognizing students' positive behaviors, misconduct rarely occurred.

Using a Ticket System to Reinforce Expectations
My expectations for my class were fairly simple:
1. Be kind and respectful
2. Be on time and prepared
3. Ask permission to leave your seat
4. Raise your hand and wait to be called on
5. Follow all directions the first time they are given

To get students to meet these expectations, I implemented a simple ticket system in which students received tickets for doing what I expected. On time to class? You get a ticket. Have your notebook and writing utensil out? You get a ticket. Hand raised to participate in discussion? You get a ticket. Quiet when I call the class to attention? You get a ticket. These tickets were collected in a jar and at the end of each month I pulled out one ticket per class period and that student received a reward. Depending on the school's policies, sometimes that prize was a $5 gift card other times I bought lunch for the students. If you are looking for a no cost prize, give students a homework pass, extra points to be used on a quiz or test of choice, or a free period.

This is a beautiful system in so many ways.
1. Tickets can be given out whenever you see fit, so there is no real commitment. Some days you may give out lots, some less, some not at all. The surprise factor is part of its appeal. If you forget to give them out one day, no harm done. You can even elect a student to give them out if you have classroom jobs.
2. Tickets don't cost anything, or are very low cost. You can buy real tickets from Staples, etc. or make a sheet of your own and make copies.
3. Meeting expectations becomes contagious. Give out one ticket for being on point and suddenly everyone is getting with it. When explaining this reward system, you may want to emphasize that if you ask for a ticket, you absolutely will not receive a ticket. 
4. There is both short and long term gratification on the part of the students. They are immediately rewarded for doing the right thing by receiving the ticket and at the end of the month, they may be rewarded again if their name is drawn. When explaining this reward system, I am always sure to point out that the greater the number of tickets they have in the jar, the greater their chance of winning.

Using "Shout Outs" to Recognize Positive Behaviors
Stop negative behavior in your classroom before it starts by reinforcing your expectations and recognizing positive student behaviors. With two simple tools, I successfully managed student behavior at the secondary level. A ticket system and "shout outs" are little to no cost, require little work for you as the teacher, and will encourage on task, positive behavior from your middle school and high school students.
While I use my ticket system to reward students for doing what I expect, I use "shout outs" for students who go above and beyond that. These “shout outs” are little notes that can be awarded to students as praise or positive reinforcement for excelling academically and/or behaviorally. If you are focused on a growth mindset in your classroom, you can give out “shout outs” for improvement and progress toward student goals.

“Shout outs” can be given to students to take home or displayed in the classroom. They are a quick and easy way to praise students, but a written note is so much more meaningful than just telling the student. You may want to announce "shout outs" at the start or end of class, at the start or end of the week, or just slip the student the note (not everyone enjoys being recognized publicly). You can also allow students to write “shout outs” to each other to help build a positive community in your classroom.

You can find free printable "shout outs" here as well as a Google Form submission form which can be shared with students so they can recommend peers for shout outs. You can create a bit.ly (a custom URL) for the form to make it easy for students to access or put a link on your class website.