Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Do You Have Rizz?

It's official!  Oxford University Press has named “rizz″ as its word of the year.

"Rizz is a colloquial word, defined as style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner," according to the Oxford University Press.

As for the word's etymology, OUP says it's believed to have been taken from the middle of "charisma," much like "fridge" derives from refrigerator. 

Soooo....What's your rizz factor?



  

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Do We Really Need to Teach the Ah-mah-zing Schwa? Yes!

What Is It?

No, the schwa is not a new hipster band or the must-have condiment du jour.  The schwa is the unstressed sound that occurs in unstressed syllables and pronounced with a short, relaxed "uh" sound.  It’s represented by the symbol "ə." 

The schwa is also known as the laziest sound in the English language, as it demands the least of us.  The schwa is as serene and undemanding as an evening sunset. The essence of speech itself.


Examples of the Schwa: 

a - Balloon

e - Problem

u - Support

i - Family

o -Other

y - Analysis

o - Memory

i - Pencil

e - Taken


Why Teach It?

So, who cares about the laziest sound in the English language and why should we teach it in an already stacked curriculum?  Is teaching the schwa going to raise text scores?  Yes – it definitely might!   

Understanding the nuances of the schwa helps students decode and encode words which generates reading fluency and comprehension.  It also gives students the tools to navigate the complexities of spoken and written English, which enhances overall language proficiency (and raises test scores)!

Mastery of the schwa is especially beneficial for English Learners.  English is a stress-timed language, meaning that stressed syllables occur at regular intervals. The schwa often appears in unstressed syllables, and understanding its role helps English Learners grasp syllable stress, which is vital for proper pronunciation and rhythm.  In addition, recognizing schwa spelling patterns helps English Learners in both reading stamina and pronunciation.


Activities:

Ready to teach schwa awareness?  Grammar doesn’t have to be an old school "kill and drill" activity.  Fun and engaging activities to promote the schwa include:

  • Schwa Word Sorts
  • Schwa Word Wall 
  • Schwa Scavenger Hunt
  • Schwa Story Telling 
  • Schwa Tongue Twisters, such as:

            Sally sells seashells by the schwa shore.

            Eddie edits excellent essays.

            Oliver opened an umbrella.

            Betty bought bitter butter.

            Mickey’s tricky picnic was terrific.

            Walter wants to water the plants.

            Tommy’s tall tale involved a talking tomato.

            





Yes!  It’s time to teach and celebrate the ah-mah-zing Schwa! 



Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Socratic Seminar: The Secret Sauce to Building Critical Thinking

 Named after the philosopher Socrates, the Socratic Seminar is a structured dialogue between students about a complex text. When facilitated with fidelity, the Socratic Seminar leads students to exactly the kind of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking that is required of them in college and life. 

Here are seven additional benefits of the Socratic Seminar:

1. Socratic Seminars enhance critical thinking. 

2. Socratic Seminars improve speaking and listening skills. 

3. Socratic Seminars increase student engagement.

4. Socratic Seminars enhance reading comprehension

6. Socratic Seminars encourage diverse perspectives and cultivate empathy. 

7. Socratic Seminars build confidence and hone communication skills. 

I truly believe the Socratic Seminar is the secret sauce to developing young minds that think critically. As such, I have created the following Socratic Seminar packets on some of my favorite texts: 

"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe

"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Diary of Anne Frank

"We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks

"Two Kinds" by Amy Tan

"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

"I Have a Dream" Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros 

The Hound of the Baskervilles

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas 

"Ain't I a Woman?" by Sojourner Truth

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Each Socratic Seminar ready-to-go bundle incorporates everything you need, including the complete texts, text-dependent seminar questions, student guidelines, Socratic Seminar Tips and Tricks, annotation symbols guide, note-taking/talking points guide, reflective writing questions, and student rubric.

So try a Socratic Seminar. You and your students will love it! 

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Friday, October 20, 2023

Unveiling Spooktacular Macabre Words for Halloween

'Tis the season for spectral sitings, y’all! What are some of your favorite shiver-inducing words that celebrate the eerie essence of October? 

Below are seven words that give goosebumps to even the most jaded horror enthusiasts: 


1) Specter: A ghostly or haunting apparition

Example: A chilling specter appeared in the moonlight, sending shivers down my spine.

2) Macabre: Disturbing, gruesome, or related to the supernatural

Example: The horror film included some hardcore macabre scenes.

3) Eldritch: Weird, eerie, or otherworldly 

Example: The eldritch incantations summoned forces beyond human comprehension.

4) Phantasmagoric: Characterized by dreamlike or fantastical images

Example: The carnival's funhouse was a phantasmagoric maze of mirrors.

5) Sanguineous: Pertaining to blood 

Example: Vampires are indeed sanguineous creatures.

6) Lycanthropy: A belief in which a person believes they can transform into a werewolf

Example: The legend of lycanthropy usually involves a full moon.

7) Diabolic: Extremely evil or devilish

Example: Stephen King is a masterclass at writing diabolic villains, whether it’s a dog, prom queen, or clown. 

8) Ominous: Giving the impression that something bad or threatening is about to happen; foreboding or menacing.

Example: There was an ominous energy over the otherwise peaceful town.

9) Witching Hour: Typically around midnight, when supernatural events are believed to be more likely to occur

Example: During the witching hour, the eerie sounds of the forest and the howling wind added to the spooky atmosphere.

10) Obfuscate: To deliberately obscure, confuse, or darken. 

Example: Most Halloween tales involve obfuscation, leaving audiences in a state of suspenseful uncertainty.


As the moon casts its ghostly glow, leverage this lexiconical moment. Have students write Halloween Haikus, spooky poems, campfire stories, or do a Frayer Model / interactive word wall as they embrace the power of spine-tingling words! 

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Saturday, October 7, 2023

Get Spooky With Halloween Haikus

Kids love Halloween! Amp up the chills and thrills factor this month with writing Halloween Haikus:

Candy, tricks, and treats 

Halloween night is the best 

Oh, my stomach aches! 


The door creaks open 

The haunted house lures me in... 

I hope I come out...

Ghosts, Witches, Goblins 

Blood-curdling shrieks and screams 

I love Halloween!

Moon's grin, pale and wide

Shadows stretch and screams collide

Creatures everywhere

Haikus are a wonderful way to teach students the economy of language, word choice, and keen observation skills that incorporate imagery and sensory detail. With the Halloween Haiku Bundle that includes a PowerPoint Lesson, (40) Halloween Haiku Task Cards, and a Halloween Haiku Writing Activity Packet, you have everything you need for spooky literacy fun! 

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Monday, October 2, 2023

October Literacy Loot

Greetings, Lit Lovers! 

Anyone who knows me knows I love Spooky Season!  And what's not to like?  Candy overload, haunted hayrides, sweater weather, and of course chills and thrills!  

In October, I also love to create products that leverage literacy skill-building with a touch of spine-tingling creepiness.  Bring on the Edgar Allan Poe!  

Below are some of my favorite reading, writing, and vocabulary resources that celebrate October and everything that entails.  Hold my pumpkin spice...

Halloween Haiku Bundle

Halloween Literature PowerPoint Bundle

Fears and Phobias Vocabulary Bundle 

The Monkey's Paw Unit Bundle

Gothicism and Suspense Bundle

The Tell Tale Heart Unit Bundle                             


Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint Bundle

With spine-tingling literacy love,

Kimberly


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

(10) Words English Teachers Should Use Daily

Words matter, especially when it comes to literary analysis, an indispensable skill for college-bound students. The ability to analyze a cold text using terms such as foreshadowing, motif,and irony not only enhances understanding of literature but also hones students’ critical thinking and communication abilities. English teachers can equip college-bound students by incorporating these ten essential literary terms in daily discourse, thereby allowing students to engage with literature on a more profound level.

Symbolism: Symbolism refers to the use of symbols or objects to represent abstract ideas or themes within a literary work. Identifying and analyzing symbols can unlock hidden meanings and provide a deeper appreciation of the author's intentions.

Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing involves the use of subtle clues or hints by an author to suggest future events in the story. Recognizing foreshadowing helps you anticipate plot developments and understand the author's narrative choices.

Allegory: An allegory is a narrative that conveys a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political message. Understanding allegories allows you to see the story as an extended metaphor and grasp the underlying significance beyond its surface level.

Imagery: Imagery involves the use of descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader. Recognizing imagery enhances your understanding of the author's style and aids in connecting with the story's emotions.

Tone: Tone refers to the author's attitude or emotional stance towards the subject matter or characters. Analyzing the tone helps you perceive the intended emotional impact and how it shapes the overall narrative.

Diction: Diction encompasses the author's word choice, including the selection of specific words and phrases. Paying attention to diction enables you to explore the nuances of language and the author's use of language to convey meaning.

Irony: Irony involves the use of words or situations that convey a meaning opposite to their literal interpretation. Recognizing irony allows you to perceive deeper layers of humor, tragedy, or social commentary in the text.

Motif: A motif is a recurring element, such as an idea, symbol, or image, that holds thematic significance throughout the story. Identifying motifs helps you trace recurring patterns and understand the central themes in the literature.

Characterization: Characterization refers to the techniques an author uses to develop and present characters. Analyzing characterization helps you understand character motivations, relationships, and transformations within the narrative.

Archetype: An archetype is a recurring symbol, character type, or theme found across different cultures and literary works. Recognizing archetypes allows you to draw connections between different stories and understand universal themes in literature. 



By elevating these ten words into classroom discussions and writing tasks, English teachers can empower their students to become more discerning and engaged readers, preparing them for the challenges and rewards of higher education and beyond. 

So, post your Interactive Word Walls, English Teachers, and use these ten terms with frequency and intentionality. Before you know it, your students will be analyzing literature like profs in muted tweed tossing around tone, imagery, and allegory like confetti.

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