Teachers, looking for a different, tangible writing prompt? Try using an “Idea Stone,” as suggested by Ashley Lister in his book, How to Write Short Stories and Get Them Published. His suggestion is to bring in a stone and pass it around the room, and each student must offer a topic to write about that…
What I’m Reading: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
I’ve just finished reading Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, who is the author of one of my all-time favorite novels, All the Light We Cannot See. Cloud Cuckoo Land is a different kind of novel, a different kind of story. It is about an ancient myth where a man turns into a donkey; it…
A Gem of a Poem: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Gem of A Poem, Teacher Inspiration, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Robert Frost poetry is accessible to students, provides writing inspiration, and demonstrates a variety of poetic techniques. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a true gem for many reasons. Yes, it is quoted in S.E. Hinton’s YA novel, The Outsiders, but when fans of the book take pause and examine why Hinton chose this poem to…
Writing Inspiration: Julia Cameron’s Living the Artist’s Way
As a writer attempting to secure a contract with an agent or publisher, I often need reassurance, advice, and hope from experts in the field. Julia Cameron is one of these experts. Her book, The Artist’s Way, has been a source of inspiration since I first read it several years ago. I’ve recently read Living…
Art in the Classroom: Starry Night by Van Gogh
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Art in the English Classroom, Teacher Inspiration, Teacher Tuesday, Writing InspirationLeave a Reply
When I taught middle school, Fridays were days when I wanted to do something different. After sticking with the curriculum for the other four days of the week, I looked to Fridays for creativity, inspiration, a relaxed atmosphere. Often, we would arrange our desks in a circle rather than rows, and I would call our…
What I’m Reading: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Fans of Miss Benson’s Beetle, also by Rachel Joyce, will quickly become fans of Harold Fry. Harold embarks on a journey to see an old friend whom he has just learned has terminal cancer. His walk is spontaneous, and since it is across the country of England, he is more than a little unprepared. The…
On My Bookshelf: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
I toured the New York Historical Society recently where they have a two-floor display of Tiffany stained glass lamps. Few things in life are more exquisite than a Tiffany lamp. The wisteria lamps were my personal favorite, although the daffodil, tulip, and dogwood were just as fabulous. If you’ve read Clara and Mr. Tiffany by…
Art in the Classroom: Henri Matisse’s The Snail
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Art in the English Classroom, Teacher Inspiration, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Today I suggest using the colorful art of Henri Matisse in your English or language arts classroom. The piece that I have chosen, The Snail, is fun, bold, and daring. Much of Matisse’s work is less abstract, but I chose this one for its abstractness. Students could try to create a similar piece and let…
Perfect Pairings: “The Open Door” by H.H. Munro and The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Perfect Pairings, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers often request a shorter work to pair with Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, and yesterday I found one. On the website, AmericanLiterature.com, I stumbled upon H. H. Munro’s “The Open Window,” and my first thought was that this would pair nicely with The Crucible. A young girl, alone with a guest, realizes that he…
Independent Reading: Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Care Givers, Independent Reading, Teacher Resources, What I'm ReadingLeave a Reply
Another great middle-grade novel to add to your classroom library or independent reading list is Skyler Schrempp’s Three Strike Summer. Set in Oklahoma and California during the Dust Bowl, this novel would also complement an American history class. Gloria, the protagonist, must leave her farm in Oklahoma and move to California where there is work…
