I couldn’t resist creating another post about the children’s classic novel, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Writing about it last week reminded me of fun moments in my classroom when my sixth graders and I analyzed the novel. We drew a Ferris wheel on the chalkboard (yes, I’m that old) and placed the characters from…
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Summer Reading: The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Kids looking for a classic fantasy adventure to read this summer will enjoy The Borrowers by Mary Norton. The first in a series, The Borrowers tells the story of tiny people living under the floorboards in an old house. One day they are discovered by a “real” boy who befriends them and gives them useful…
What I’m Reading: Closer Together by Sophie Gregoire Trudeau
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Bookstores & More, Care Givers, Teacher Inspiration, What I'm ReadingLeave a Reply
On a recent visit to the Strand NYC bookstore, I met Sophie Gregoire Trudeau who was signing copies of her memoir/self-help book, Closer Together. Sophie was easy to talk to, relatable, and kind. Readers will feel her warmth and compassion on every page of her book as she interviews professionals in various fields and combines…
Art in the Classroom: Norman Rockwell’s High Dive
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Art in the English Classroom, Teacher Tuesday, Writing InspirationLeave a Reply
Norman Rockwell’s High Dive is the perfect choice for a ‘back to school’ writing assignment. Writing prompts can be: what I did over the summer; when I did something I was afraid of; when I accepted a dare; when I did something because everyone else was doing it. The possibilities are endless. The boy’s expression…
Short Story Spotlight: “Hearts and Hands” by O. Henry
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Short Story Spotlight, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Summer is the perfect time for teachers to look for new material to enhance their lessons for the upcoming year. As an educator in higher education, I have more flexibility than many teachers in middle school and high school. That being said, adding a short story or poem that is not in the curriculum may…
Teacher Inspiration
Teacher Inspo: Hearing from a former student One of the best parts of being a teacher is hearing from a former student. Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending an art show for a former student who is graduating as an art major at Montclair State University. I was honored that Salena invited me, and…
Teacher Resource: All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat
Teachers, looking for something different for the end of the school year? Immerse your classes in the incredible true account of the Thai boys’ soccer team that was trapped in a flooded cave six years ago with Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen. Their dramatic and risky (understatement) rescue is truly a miracle of people working together…
A Gem of a Poem: Do You Carrot All For Me? by Anonymous
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Gem of A Poem, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers, looking for a creative poetry lesson? Try having students create poetry using homonyms – or near homonyms – that work together. “Do You Carrot All For Me?” is a perfect example. Students will see that the goal is not perfect matches, but words that go together in a theme that are close enough to…
Teacher Resource: Board Games to cure boredom
Teachers, looking for a “year in review” type of activity that will keep your classes engaged? Ask students to pick one reading from the school year – short story, novel, play – and turn it into a board game. Students can create a “Candy Land” type of path with symbols, colors, playing pieces, etc. This…
Teacher Tuesday: “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Classic to Consider, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers, looking for a short story to teach symbolism? “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield (author of “A Dill Pickle”) may work nicely in your lessons. The story is also historical fiction – set after World War 1 in England – and would complement an historical unit on war. Mansfield’s word choices, details, and narrow point…
