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…
All posts tagged #teachertuesday
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…
A Classic to Consider: “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Classic to Consider, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
This time of year, reading teachers cannot help but think of the classic story, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. The ideal short story, it contains identifiable literary techniques that students can discuss. The story is, however, somewhat dated. Not many of us can relate to cutting our hair and selling it to…
A Gem of a Poem: “Student of Clouds” by Billy Collins
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Gem of A Poem, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers who are looking for poems that straddle two subjects can rely on “Student of Clouds” by Billy Collins. The poem is printed in Collins’ collection, Sailing Alone Around the Room, New and Selected Poems, and is just one of several from the collection that students will find accessible. “Student of Clouds” begins with “The…
Teacher Inspo: The Ron Clark Story starring Matthew Perry
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Teacher Inspiration, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
A role seldom mentioned that Matthew Perry championed is his portrayal of Teacher of the Year, Ron Clark, who taught an at-risk class in the Bronx. The Ron Clark Story is an underdog-to-victor story, the hero’s journey in dire circumstances where kids are used to adults in their lives quitting on them. Clark believes in…
A Gem of a Poem: “Dreams” by Langston Hughes
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Gem of A Poem, Teacher Inspiration, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Dreams by Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Teachers, are you looking for something inspirational, short, and accessible for the end of the school year? I hear…
Perfect Pairing: The Most Dangerous Game and Candy Land
Looking for a fun way to end the year that is still about literature, but is not an essay or a test? Try transforming a short story, novel, or poem into a board game. For example, Candy Land is a great game that fits a journey or pursuit type of story. Students can use an…
A Gem of a Poem: I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth
The change of seasons is an ideal time to assign creative writing, especially poetry. Connecting feelings with themes of change and hope can inspire even the most reluctant student to take a chance at waxing poetic. While each season has natural changes to anticipate, something about sighting the first flowers of spring makes anyone smile…
A Gem of a Poem: Mother to Son
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes I often see requests from teachers for short poems that demonstrate various poetic techniques. Whether for a quick bell ringer lesson, an intro to a longer unit, or a variation on a theme in a longer work, short poems are excellent tools for teachers to have in their toolboxes.…
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” & Lois Lowry’s The Giver
These two texts are made for each other. Students enjoy reading them, teachers enjoy teaching them, and together they make for a lively class discussion. The setting of a futuristic, controlling society contrasts with a traditional, old fashioned town, and yet they are eerily similar. Students can analyze language, dialogue, and writing techniques. When in…
