Although I know the idea is controversial for some, my students wrote research-based argument papers as the first part of their 2016 Genius Hour projects. I was on the fence about this. Would I really be holding up the idea of Genius Hour with this kind of assignment? Would students really feel the passion about … Continue reading Genius Hour – My Personal Mid-Check
ELA
Literature Circles – Updated for Middle School
For our January novel study, I wanted to test out a new type of literature circle activity. For 8th graders, the "jobs" version of literature circles never worked quite as well as I would have liked it to. Plus, it's a lot of work to set up, and the kids never seemed to know what … Continue reading Literature Circles – Updated for Middle School
My Epic Nonfiction Project
One of my goals this summer was to completely align my lessons and activities with the Common Core Standards. It's been quite an undertaking, and I don't think I'll get everything done I wanted to.As part of that, I made the orgnizational tool I posted about earlier.I've been busy adding in lessons and activities and slowly … Continue reading My Epic Nonfiction Project
8th Grade ELA Common Core Planning
So, one of my major undertakings this summer has been to prepare myself to teach the Common Core standards. I don't want to completely re-invent the wheel, but I also want to make sure that I'm teaching everything I'm supposed to.As a result, I've created this planning document!One of my goals for the upcoming year … Continue reading 8th Grade ELA Common Core Planning
Amie C. Reed 