Can’t wait to use excerpts of these amazing books for read-alouds. Thank you ⁦Julie McGuane⁩

Yes!

Even werewolves like to work with hexagonal thinking. ⁦Kim Lybarger⁩ ⁦@GStewartkooper⁩ #CheerfulCovidClass

Ahhh. My twitter feed is back to educational posts.😁The political posts were bumming me out.😔

So, my PowerPoint for the week is done, but I still need to create my weekly Canvas pages. GRR. Trying out a new way of teaching and new engagement tools this six weeks. 😁Hoping it goes well. 🤞

Students filled in the blank and wrote for 4 minutes to defend their claim. America is a(n)_______ idea. Wow! So much insight and passion. Thanks Julie McGuane #CheerfulCovidClass

Another great day of workshop. I helped my new F2F kids find a book to read. I conferenced with students about writing. My students are great! #CheerfulCovidClass

In writing conference today, student told me, “I appreciate that you let me write Quickwrite responses and give me time to read my book of choice in class”. ❤️I’m back to doing what I know is best for kids. #CheerfulCovidClass

Two wins today (1)student told me she loves her BOC because of HOW the author writes. (2)different student tells me writing is easier this year because he writes everyday and has choice. Even the assigned writing assignments aren’t so hard.

I scrapped a poetry analysis lesson today and replaced it with a gratitude writing lesson. A virtual student who is struggling with life told me that this is the first “good cry” she has had in a long time. Teach the student, not the test. #CheerfulCovidClass

❤️Writing poetry and rearranging stanzas to determine how structure impacts meaning. I love teaching 9th grade. #CheerfulCovidClass

“I have started to enjoy writing because of the free choice”. Choice matters in writing AND reading - even during a pandemic.

Student answer to “anything else you need me to know?”

“Your class never felt like a test prep class (like most)”. This statement makes me happy and hurts my heart at the same time.

Wow! For all of my #ItsAWonderfulLife fans out there, please don’t miss this live performance from @NorthShoreWeb Evanston Hospital ! #HappyHolidays

When the kids answer a quick write and use their BOC as an example without me asking. ❤️❤️❤️#CheerfulCovidClass

Blooket.com. If you haven’t tried the gaming platform with your kids, do it now. So much laughter and engagement today. Sounded like a pre-pandemic classroom. #CheerfulCovidClass

Out of nowhere, student tells me today - "It wasn't until I took your class that I noticed all the foreshadow clues in Hamilton, the musical". It's the little things. ❤️

Making time for students to read book of choice in class.Student finished Children of Blood and Bone and LOVED it.Told me that she is Nigerian and never read anything by a Nigerian author.She lived in one of the cities referenced in the book. Connections matter. Choice Matters!

I would treat "test writing" as a separate genre, and I would only teach it right before the test. The rest of the year is "real world" writing. If kids write well, they will do fine on the tests. They will not write well if they only do test prep writing.