Dear Educator,
It's time to gobble up some new ideas for reading, writing, and math. This month we are bringing you ideas on teaching literary nonfiction, texts to get your students reading & writing during the holiday season, and much more! We also have many professional learning opportunities coming up that will be sure to add to your expertise toolbox. Happy fall and happy teaching!
-Kelly Harmon & Randi Anderson
Webinars are a Great "MIni-Conference" Opportunity
1. Levels are a Teacher's Tool-Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell
“It is detrimental to a student’s self-esteem and to their love of reading when they are encouraged to measure their own progress by ‘moving up levels,’" (Fountas and Pinnell 2017).
Click here to listen to the complete webinar
2. Making Sense of Math-Greg Tang
This TedTalk presented on YouTube discusses the impact of visualization, reasoning, and number sense. Click here to listen.
What is Literary Nonfiction Exactly?
Literary nonfiction, also known as narrative nonfiction, is one of the best genres for getting students to engage in large quantities of reading. But what exactly is literary nonfiction? We hear the word nonfiction and instantly think informational, which is only partly true. The word literary means "narrative" and nonfiction means "accurate". So literary nonfiction is essentially a true story. And who doesn't like a really good true story?
Literary nonfiction is a true narrative that uses literary elements to tell factually accurate stories.
Narrative
Literary nonfiction is a true story that follows the elements of fiction.
- Setting
- Plot (problem/solution)
- Characters
- Beginning, Middle, & End
- Sequence
Examples of Literary Nonfiction
- Autobiography
- Biography
- Memoirs
- Diaries
- Journal Entries
ESPN 30 for 30 (Video)
ESPN 30 for 30's are great to use with grades 4 through 12 to show how a true story looks. Here is a great 30 for 30 short about the drink Gatorade.
More Than Anything Else
Written by Marie Bradley
Get it on Amazon here.
Who is Walt Disney?
Written by Whitney Stewart
Get it on Amazon here.
Great Texts for Fall
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!
That wild old lady is back swallowing fall-themed items. What can you make from leaves, clothes, a pumpkin, and rope? That's right, a scarecrow!
Stellaluna
What Was the First Thanksgiving?
After their first harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims at Plymouth shared a three-day feast with their Native American neighbors. Of course, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag didn’t know it at the time, but they were making history, celebrating what would become a national holiday. Amazon
The Puppeteer Who Brought Balloons to the Thanksgiving Day Parade
Print the article here!
The Story of the Pilgrams
What was on the First Thanksgiving Menu?
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin
How to Cook a Turkey
Add Your Thoughts to Our Wall
Here are a few ways you could use a graffiti wall:
1. Put up pictures of the covers of several books you have available in the classroom. Have students add comments after they read the book. What was the best part? How is this character similar to you? What is the best sentence in the book and why?
2. Have students make book recommendations by writing the title of a good book and why they recommend the book. I recommend the book...because... You will like this book if....
3. Write a question about a topic of controversy and have students add their opinion and support for the opinion. For example "Is Fortnite good for kids?" or "How much screen time is too much?"
4. Post a complex math problem. How would you solve this problem? Is there more than one way to solve the problem?
Graffiti walls are a fun way to get students up and sharing their thinking. Through this silent discussion, you can collect and analyze data that can be used to guide future instruction.
Strengthening Your Guided Math Instruction
8:30am - 3:30pm
San Antonio, TX
Grades K-6
In this interactive training, Kelly Harmon will share a variety of guided math strategies, techniques, and ideas for addressing all students' math needs. Walk away with resources and ideas for strengthening your math instruction immediately! You will learn the best research-based instructional strategies to help your students develop conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge, fluency, and how to transfer those skills to math problem solving. Registration opens on September 4th. Space is limited to 50 seats. For more info, click here.
Teaching Comprehension Strategies (Figure 19)
8:30am - 3:30pm
San Antonio, TX
Grades 2-12
In this energizing, fast-paced seminar, educators will learn research-based strategies students need to use to process a variety of texts. Take your students from think alouds to literature circles as they learn to think about the text and beyond. Explore ready-to-use techniques and activities to help student master Figure 19 Comprehension Strategies.Kelly Harmon will provide instruction, activities, and ideas for engaging students in close and recreational reading. Registration opens on September 4th. Space is limited to 50 seats. For more info, click here!
Guided Math 2 Day Conference
8:30am - 3:30pm
Boston, MA
What do 21st Century students need from their education when it comes to mathematics? It makes sense for teachers to be constantly aware of the skills that are actually required in the workplace. If those skills change, so should the education we provide. Join Barb as she explores which math skills need to be nurtured for our students and how they relate to the mathematical “habits of the mind” that we are requiring them to achieve. Let’s start this dynamic Guided Math conference with a keynote address that will leave you feeling empowered, energized and well equipped to meet the diverse needs of your students! For more info, click here!
Kids Need More Opportunities to Write! But How?
Saturday Virtual Seminar
9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Grades K-6
Tired of the same old writing projects or instruction? Join us for a 3 hour virtual seminar focused on giving students abundant opportunities to writing in authentic and FUN ways. Empower your students to improve their quality of writing and stamina. Learn how to spice up your writing block quick non-pressured writing that is meaningful and engaging. Walk away with prompts and ideas to use immediately. Click here for more info! Registration opens on September 4th. Seats are limited to 30 participants.
Editing & Revision is Not Boring!
Saturday Virtual Seminar
9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Looking for ways to get your students excited and achieving in their grammar practice? Join us for a 3 hour virtual seminar focused on giving students abundant opportunities to edit and revise in authentic and FUN ways. Equip your students with tools to effectively revise their writing to hook their audience. Learn about using children's books and real world resources to teach grammar rules, how to help students immediately apply rules, discover resources for assessments, and much more! Click here for more info.
Literacy Centers + Reader's Theater
January 19, 2019
Saturday Virtual Seminar
9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Grades K-6
Learn how to create meaningful literacy stations and activities where students work with partners or independently during small group ELAR time. Add a ten-minute-a-day readers theater and you've created the perfect combo for accelerating reading achievement! Register today! Seats are limited to 30. For more info, click here.
Kelly Harmon & Associates
Email: randi@kellyharmon.net
Website: www.kellyharmon.net
Location: 374 Lantana Crossing, Spring Branch, TX, USA
Phone: 817-583-1290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txliteracy/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @TexasLiteracy