TEACHING THE NEGLECTED "R"

A COLLECTION OF THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

Chapter One-LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD

• If an English teacher from the 1900s could visit today, she'd feel right at home
• Late 1880s the key word was "habit," much like we use "fluency" today
• Educators knew the importance of "ownership" and interest in the subject
• Our system of education is built on the "normal school" model
• Technology will not make conservative notions about education just "go away"

CHAPTER TEN - Poetry Arrives

• Poetry should be more than just a "Unit" in April
• We must "seduce" students into poetry in engaging, meaningful ways
• Inspires paying attention, love of words, deep thinking about many topics & issues
• Connects with music
• We want kids to know that through power of words they can make a difference

CHAPTER ELEVEN-Learning From Goldilocks

• Knowledge, determination & Story Structure--keys to writing fiction
• Six elements to story structure
• Plot (what happens next) & Story (emotional underlayer)
• "Stories don't begin until the first sign of trouble!"
• The characters must ACT in the face of this trouble to make it a Story

CHAPTER 13-Plugging Into 21st Century Writers

• Emergent Technology Use engages more learners in more ways
• Urgent Tech loaded classrooms with equipment teachers may not be prepared to use
• Two guiding questions essential to Emergent Technology Use
• What can I do with this tool that I can't do with anything else?
• What does it allow me to do that is better instructionally than without?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN-SPACE TO IMAGINE

• Effective digital stories take audience on a journey, pose or answer questions
• Words, art and music work together to tell the story
• The topic should resonate with the author & target audience
• Credit everything!
• Poetic writing, Voice, Narration can add up to a powerful presentation