This post is part of the series The Rhetoric of Changing Times, a collection in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its global consequences. In this series, we'll look at poignant historical speeches and documents and examine questions and topics for discussion/writing. Feel free to share your thinking in the comments or assign these questions … Continue reading The Rhetoric of Changing Times: First Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Talented Students in ELA: 8 Tips for Teachers
“While natural, innate talent does exist, developing talent needs enduring and nonstop nurturing to come to a full fruition. Talent is made, not born. A dynamic environment that instills these beliefs into the fabric of the school matters enormously. Jonathan Kozol (2007) believes that knowledge is passed on through instruction and imitation and that that … Continue reading Talented Students in ELA: 8 Tips for Teachers
Three Low-Prep Classroom Debate Strategies That Rock
One of the best ways to get students engaged and practicing rhetorical strategies is to get them up and talking. The more they can be opinionated, the better! Here are three of my favorite low-prep debate strategies, perfect for any time during the school year. Four Corners DebatesPrep: Make four signs: strongly agree, agree, disagree, … Continue reading Three Low-Prep Classroom Debate Strategies That Rock
Three Ways to Jazz Up Your Lesson Plans
Need to add a little interest to your lesson plans? Here are three tried-and true tips for taking it up a notch. Tip #1: Always start with a personal connection. That "hook" or "anticipatory" set part of a lesson plan is incredibly important to getting students ready to learn. In the first five minutes or … Continue reading Three Ways to Jazz Up Your Lesson Plans