Julius Caesar Rap

Also I'm working on a unit for Julius Caesar and found this clip from the Bill Cosby Show. I think that's all the introduction this clip needs. Enjoy!

Breakin It Down : Shakespeare Style

Yes, I know it's been quite a while since I've posted BUT I blame my internship this semester. Today I'm preparing an introductory unit to Shakespeare when I stumbled upon this little gem of a video. I will say I think this would be suited for higher grades (10-12th) as opposed to the younger kiddos (6-9th), but it's engaging and HYSTERICAL. Enjoy!

"The Best Teaching Tip Ever"

This post comes as a tip of my hat to my cooperating teacher for internship. As we worked together during pre-planning she, and I quote, gave "the best teaching tip ever." Are you ready for this?

Wait for it.....

Here it is: PRINT ALL OF YOUR TESTS ON RED COPY PAPER.

You probably weren't expecting that were you? Well according to her experience in the classroom of 30+ years this prevents students from cheating on the test because they cannot accurately read another student's answers.

Boom. So, start stocking up on red copy paper fellow teachers! Enjoy!

Changing Education Paradigms

Every single individual involved in education today should take 10 minutes and watch this video. It is inspiring, informative, and important. Enjoy!

A Poem A Day

Might make the doctor go away, but it certainly will expose your students to the world of poetry and perhaps instill an interest in this form of literary expression.

My excellent internship teacher gave me the heads up about Poetry 180 that provides a poem for every day of the school year.

Check it out and be inspired to make poetry a part of your every day curriculum! Also due my inspiration from Poetry 180, I have included one of my absolute favorite poems by X. J. Kennedy called "Nothing In Heaven Functions As It Ought" Enjoy!

Nothing in Heaven functions as it ought:

Peter's bifocals, blindly sat on, crack;

His gates lurch wide with the cackle of a cock,

Not turn with a hush of gold as Milton had thought;

Gangs of the slaughtered innocents keep huffing

The nimbus off the Venerable Bede

Like that of an old dandelion gone to seed;

And the beatific choir keep breaking up, coughing.

But Hell, sleek Hell, hath no freewheeling part:

None takes his own sweet time, none quickens pace.

Ask anyone, "How come you here, poor heart?"—

And he will slot a quarter through his face.

You'll hear an instant click, a tear will start

Imprinted with an abstract of his case.

Technology Biographies

This is going to be a super quick post because I am drowning with end-of-the-semester papers, but while I was researching for one of those said papers I stumbled upon this excellent idea:

Technology Biographies!

In the article "Fresh Perspectives on New Literacies and Technology Integration" by Labbo and Place (2011), they describe an assignment where they "ask students to write the story of their lives through the lens of the technologies they use and enjoy. Many students have years of multi-literacy expertise that they can bring into the classroom."

How awesome would it be to hear how your students implement technology beyond the classroom? Also it could provide you as a teacher with a way to assess their knowledge of technologies including new ways to implement them in the classroom. Plus we all know students are into technology, from iPhones to iPads, and having them write on something they already are interested in could boost levels of engagement.

Needless to say, this is a writing prompt that I would love to use in my classroom. If I have a chance to do so in the fall, I will let you know how it works out!

Enjoy!

Poetry, Art, and Music

I know, you guys are probably getting spoiled by my continuous posting lately, but sometimes resources tend to find your way to your laptop in their own time like this little gem below.

I have yet to teach poetry, but I imagine that a majority of students are often confused by the mere idea of it or its possibilities. I have always loved the art myself, but I want to find a way to make it interesting and accessible to students. I think this video, a performance by a singer/songwriter/poet named Tanya Davis and filmed by videographer Andrea Dorfman, is just too beautiful to pass up.

Here is "How to Be Alone" by Tanya Davis. Enjoy!