Cough, Though, and Rough -- There's a Reason

We've all heard rants on the confusing irregularities of our English language:  "Why doesn't cough rhyme with though?"  "If the plural of goose is geese, why isn't the plural of moose meese?" Most of us have even seen this image floating about the internet when some woe-is-me English student is especially distraught:

Richard Lederer has a point -- our language can seem confusing.  This is why on the very first day of British Literature class, before we've even taken out our notebooks and pencils, and before we have opened our literature books,  I show my students the image above and tell my class, "English is a crazy language."  I then show them the fictional word ghoti, and inevitably one of the kids sitting near the back will call out, "I saw that on the internet!  It's fish!" The studious kiddos (who are reaching for their notepads already) cast nervous glances around the classroom as I affirm the internet-meme savant's observation.  If you take the gh from laugh, the o from women, and the ti from lotion, these sounds do sound out the word fish.  It's true.  Our language is messed-up, awkward, and seemingly random, but I emphasize that the English language is not arbitrary.  These incongruous spellings, awkward pronunciations, and frustrating usage rules have a rich history that begins with soldiers who painted themselves blue like smurfs and refused to bathe.  (Finally, each student has begun to take down notes, and the real "lesson" has begun.)

This fun attention-grabber is my favorite way to start the year!  What tricks do you use to hook your students' attention for a semester of English class?  Comment below!

Also, check out my fellow ELA bloggers' ideas through the link-up below.  Happy Back-to-School season!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Writing Prompt Flow Charts

"I don't know what to write about . . . "

Sound familiar?

When I first started teaching, I was shocked to discover how many students felt completely lost when given a "free write"  assignment.  I love coming up with new writing ideas -- doesn't everybody?  

I soon learned that not everybody is exactly like me (thank goodness, actually) and decided to come up with some creative alternatives for students who prefer writing prompts to stimulate their imagination.  My favorite idea so far:  writing prompt flow charts.

Flow charts allow students to find their own personalized writing prompts based on their interests and/or current mood.  Check out the flow chart below!  If a student doesn't like the first prompt he chooses, he can answer the questions again for a different outcome.  I'm feeling inspired to make a whole notebook full of these and keep it at the back of my classroom for students who need inspiration.  What do you think?

Liebster Award

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Literary Sherri, Secondary Sara, and Tickled Pink in Primary!  (Thank you, ladies!)  This is a fun way for new bloggers to get to know each other, and I will now accept the nomination by answering a few questions about myself and nominating several other bloggers.  

1.  When did you start your blog?

I started this blog about a year ago but have hardly had a chance to post yet!  I can't wait to begin sharing our fun classroom projects on a more regular basis.

2.  What is the purpose of your blog?

I love having fun with my students in the classroom, and I enjoy sharing ideas with other teachers.  When teachers share their inspiration, there's no stopping us!

3.  What is your favorite blog post so far?

I especially like my blog post about vocabulary games, mostly because that's my students' favorite part of class.  It's fun to watch them get so absorbed in an activity!

4.  What do you like best about teaching?

I love when my students say, "Mrs. Gold, I took your advice and . . ."  Many times, I don't even remember giving the advice!  Either way, it feels amazing to know that kids can take my ramblings and use them toward their future successes.  Go kids, go!

5.  What is one blog post you would like to write but haven't yet?

Novel Shoebox Projects.  Details at Eleven.  (Or in a few weeks. : )

6.  Which blogs would you like to nominate for the Liebster Award?

I have been impressed with the following blogs.  I don't know whether or not some of them have been nominated for the award already, but these bloggers are amazing!

 

http://myclassroomcallouts.blogspot.com/

http://cantstopsmilinginsecond.blogspot.com/

http://teachingtykesblog.blogspot.com/

http://createlearnexplore.blogspot.com/

http://theresasteachingtidbits.blogspot.com/

http://smartsyandartsyteachers.blogspot.com/

http://gottaluvitcreations.com/

http://teaching-internationally.blogspot.com/

http://twoboysandadadteacher.blogspot.com/

http://www.englishohmy.blogspot.com/

http://firstgradeenigmas.blogspot.com/

http://mrspreziososkindergarten.blogspot.com/

http://caffeinequeenteacher.blogspot.com/

http://www.curriculumandcrayons.blogspot.com/

www.theeslconnection.blogspot.com

http://www.thepowertoteach.com/

http://www.thepowertoteach.com/

http://www.thepowertoteach.com/

http://aharwelltheteachermom.blogspot.com/

www.vivifystem.com/blog

5 Reasons Your High School Students Need to Read Audacity, by Melanie Crowder, NOW

Last week I picked up a young-adult novel and didn't put it down until I finished it four hours later.  This is not normal for me.  But neither is the book.

Audacity, by Melanie Crowder, incorporates everything I love about literature into a relevant novel for teenagers.  Here are five reasons your high-school students need to read this novel today:

1.  Relevant Themes of Courage, Difficult Decisions, and Standing Up for Others

Although this novel is set in the early twentieth century, its themes are spot-on for teenagers in 2015.  Clara, the protagonist, continually pushes herself out of her comfort zone -- even giving up some of her own dreams -- in order to speak out against her co-workers' mistreatment and inequality in the workplace.  These themes spawn excellent discussion questions:  "Which is more important -- the process or the outcome?"  "Who or what has the greatest influence on the decisions you make?"  "Which factors can hold people back from pursuing their dreams?"  The possibilities are endless.

2.  Free Verse

This may initially deter some young readers, but Crowder's free-verse writing style is perfect for teenagers with short attention spans.  Each "chapter" takes only one-three minutes to read, which helps readers find the main point quickly and accurately.  Besides, many teenagers have little to no experience with modern poetry, and Audacity provides an excellent example of this writing style without the seemingly irrelevant subject matter of some older authors.

3.  Stunning Figurative Language

I have never been this blown away by an author's use of crisp, clean imagery.  Both physical and abstract images came to life as I read Crowder's verses, and the many similes and metaphors stopped me in my tracks -- I had to re-read many lines simply because they were too good to read just once!  For students learning figurative language in the classroom, this novel can provide excellent examples of integrated literary devices.

4.  Historical Context

Equality can be difficult to discuss in many classrooms with its heated debates and current events.  Audacity's early twentieth-century setting helps to place distance between its events and students' emotions, while still addressing this sensitive issue.  Clara Lemlich, the novel's protagonist, was a real-life women's-rights activist, and this novel gives students a better picture of her life and mission as they wrestle with the complications of equality today.

5.  Female Protagonist

Clara Lemlich is one of the greatest female role models of the early twentieth century, but her courage and selflessness are worthy of emulation by both male and female teenagers. Let's hear it for powerful women of history!

I loved this book more than I have loved a book in a long time, and I am so excited that books of this quality are still being added to the market.  Have you read the book?  Let me know what you thought in the comments section below!

The Smaller Desk

Some days I miss the smaller desk 

Where I sat and I listened and learned.

I answered when called upon -- that was enough--

And my teachers' approval I'd earned.

Some days I miss the smaller desk

Where I read when they told me to read.

I wrote when they told me to write.  That was all

That I needed for me to succeed.

Some days I miss the smaller desk

Where I kept just a notebook and pen.

I'd write a few lines that I thought sounded smart,

But if not, I could just try again.

Some days I miss the smaller desk

Where I counted down days 'til I'd leave.

The end was in sight, and my thoughts flew beyond

To the dreams that I knew I'd achieve.

Some days I miss the smaller desk,

For now twenty such desks point at me.

But the bigger desk gives me the chance to become

Who the smaller desk taught me to be.

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How to Make Classy DIY Dry-erase Boards

I know I should be using my time to plan and grade, but I simply canNOT pass up the opportunity for useful DIY projects in my classroom.  This past school year, I decided to experiment with individual dry-erase board ideas for my students, and I came up with an inexpensive solution: 67-cent picture frames from Wal-Mart.  I inserted decorative scrap-booking paper and dabbed a few layers of magnetic paint on the pack, and I was able to store the attractive frames with markers magnetized to the backs.  I loved the unique aesthetic value, as well as the financial bargain!  Take a look through the pictures below, and let me know about any other DIY classroom hacks that have worked for you!

5 Reasons to Promote Publishing in the ELA Classroom

Many teachers devote a classroom bulletin board to the display of exemplary student work.  I have my own version of this "brag wall" for my students, but instead of posting the papers with the highest grades or most impressive quality, I choose student work that has actually been real-world published -- for money.  Here's why:

1.  I want my students to realize that there is more to life than good grades.  Straight-A students know that they're smart, and most get plenty of praise from their teachers already.  However, many successful adults had terrible grades in high school, and many straight-A students have thrown their lives away.  This year I worked with a student who had learning disabilities that made writing especially difficult for her.  I encouraged her to write about those struggles, and she did.  She sent in her story to an inspirational magazine for teens, and even though her verbs weren't conjugated correctly and her commas popped up where they shouldn't, the magazine editor appreciated her story and published it for payment.  Now other teenagers who have the same struggle will read her article and have hope.  That's the kind of thing I'm proud of -- students actually using what talents they have to make a difference.

2.  I want my students to get paid.  Sure, this may sound superficial.  We should write because we want to write, right?  But I have found that an 80-dollar check makes writing suddenly more relevant to a teenager.  I can hardly believe the astonishment on my students' faces each year when I tell them they have the opportunity to make a couple hundred bucks, just for doing their homework in my class.  They ask me to repeat myself, they ask me to clarify, and they ask me to repeat myself again.  They have the hardest time believing that schoolwork could actually lead to their financial success.  Personally, I feel like high school is the best time to learn this truth.  Besides, high-school kids are often either broke or dependent, and I want to teach them how to use their own talents and resources to provide for themselves.  A few paid articles here and there probably won't make them a living, but it's certainly a noble way to earn some extra income!

3.  I want to improve my school's reputation.  Getting students published is obviously good PR for a teacher, but I genuinely want to improve the reputation of my school's program in order for them to attract a larger number of students and donations, as this will lead to even greater success in the future.  Parents want to enroll their students in a program that pushes them to achieve impressive milestones beyond the normal academic expectations.  A program that pushes its students to submit articles for community or national publication will naturally attract more people!  I believe that each teacher should become a team player for his or her school.  This is my way of contributing to our academic community

If any teachers would like to add their own student-publishing successes, please comment below.  I would love to hear from you!