Assignment 1
Since I was ready to start my kids on YWP as they were just finishing up the NECAPs I asked my 5th and 8th graders the following:read more
View ArticleSock Puppet House
Well, that was pretty funny. I wonder if it would have been as funny if I hadn't been as familiar with Animal House. Fortunately, I saw it (again) just last winter. I liked the way the two socks in the...
View ArticleI want it all and I want it now.
This year, our middle school was reorganized. My team absorbed students from three different teams, each of which had a distinct flavor. About a third of the students came from a team that had been...
View ArticleCommenting and stuff
I've been working with my 5th and 8th grade writers on commenting. I had them all write persuasive essays on topics of their choice. They they posted them onto YWP. I assigned them to small groups of 4...
View ArticleUsing the site for assessment
I spent many hours over the break reading students' persuasive essays and all of the feedback that they gave each other. I was trying to figure out how to use the site to give feedback and grades. I...
View ArticlePodcasts, freewriting, and more
My students, especially my fifth graders, are going wild with free writing. It's wonderful to see them eager to write and see what kinds of feedback they have gotten. I just can't keep up. In addition...
View ArticleReflections and highlights
I have the unique position of teaching both fifth and eighth grade language arts. The juxtaposition of the two ends of middle school is eye opening. I had thought that the eighth graders would have...
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