Head over to Instagram to mrs.bookjoy to see my four most recent reviews of some awesome middle school and YA Lit!

Discussion dice after finishing a whole class novel. A 20-sided die and opinion-based questions give students the chance to agree/disagree/add in a fun, game-like way! #6thela

Just posted a few new middle grade/YA book reviews on my Instagram @mrs.bookjoy. Go check them out!

A few new book reviews on my Instagram mrs.bookjoy Mascot A Boy Called Bat Penny from Heaven

If Obi Wan had taught Luke via Zoom, Luke would have still achieved Jedi-ness, but maybe on a different timetable. He had other teachers like Yoda who came after Obi Wan. I have to do my best, realize there will be gaps, and trust in future teachers and my students' awesomeness.

Mapping out personal narratives comic book style means that my students are able to plan action, dialogue, and the physical scene they will describe. It doesn't have to be beautiful, it's just a map! #6thela

In an odd combo of the Pandemic + the way classes were split, I ended up with one of my classes having 16 students. For the first time, my writer's workshop method seems to really work. Mentor text, then write. Mini-lesson, then write. Author moves, then write. Cause/effect?

Today's writing prompt. And when the timer went off, they begged for more time. Music to my ears. #6thela

Don't mind me, I'm just the teacher simultaneously giggling and crying watching my students' #Flipgrid videos. Hearing their voices and seeing their faces does a teacher heart so good. ❤

Fun Friday writing prompt thanks to The Amazing Story Generator book. Teachers, write alongside your students so they see that writing can be organic and messy... and FUN! #6thela

Digital #blackoutpoetry today using Kami to annotate on Sandra Cisneros's short story "My Name." Not quite as fun as real paper and real markers, but a welcome end-of-quarter breather.

A short recap of my Tuesday out at San Marcos Middle School, where they (and the rest of the San Marcos USD) were able to welcome students back to full-time, in-person learning. Even though masks are still required indoors, everybody was thrilled to be back on campus! KUSI News

Hexagonal thinking to build and explain connections btw ideas. This hit the domains of S&L as well as critical thinking. Ss had to explain and defend their connections to the group, but the group could make suggestions. It's a powerful way to review complex concepts. #6thhistory

Refreshing my escape room / lockbox activity with some new puzzles to solve so teams can earn their tasks instead of just being given tasks. This one unlocks the location of their task... inside one of my favorite books on my library shelves! #6thela