Top Ten Things Activity - Middle School English

Here is an idea fora first day content activity in middle school English!

Top Ten: Top Ten Things You Need to Know About Me

7^th Grade English

(Objective: To build a collaborative classroom community by getting to know each other on a personal level; oral communication skills, intrapersonal skills – reflection skills)

Instructions: Create a poster based on the top ten things we should know about you.  Use the magazines in the front of the classroom to cut out pictures and/or words for your poster.  You can also you’re your own pictures or write out anything in neat, clean handwriting.  Remember that the purpose is to help us get to know each other better. Think about what is important to you, what you’re passionate about, things that you really enjoy, and what you believe defines you as an individual.  Be prepared to share the poster next class period with the class!

Grading Rubric: Review rubric with students and post rubric at the front of the classroom so that they can have access to it while creating their posters. 

Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Me Rubric
 
Students will make the posters on the first day and present them on the second day.  I will provide all the magazines and newspapers from which students can cut out their pictures and words/phrases.


What are some great "first day" content activities that you use for English or Theater (all grades)?

G&T and ESL/ELL Students

In my SPED class we have been talking about those students that fall into the "category" of Gifted and Talented (G&T).  It's been interesting because I was a student that was placed into a half-day gifted program in elementary school.  Thus, I see both sides of the situation now... I see the student perspective from my days in the program, and I see the educators approach to teaching these students.

Although G&T students do not have a disability, they still fall under the umbrella of special education in that they require different, unique services to achieve to their maximum level.

We also spent some time talking about ESL and ELL students.  While they also do not have a disability, they are at a serious disadvantage if accommodations are not made to help them educationally.  Thus, they also fall under the special education net.  Check out what I found out about both topics and the hand-out I created for parents and teachers.  Feel free to use the information below!

Questions? We've Got Answers!

"Should students who have disabilities be taught the same curriculum as other students?"

"Do different kinds of teaching methods work better for different kinds of learners?"

"How should I grade a student who has a disability?"

As an educator, have you ever asked yourself any of the questions above? I know that I have many times. I have learned a lot about the power of inclusion regarding the education of a student with disabilities. I know that students encompass a wide variety of multiple intelligences, and therefore, different approaches to teaching and learning should be set into place for students. This is beneficial to ALL learners... For example, I learn best through music. There is something about the rhythm, repetition, and beat that intellectually brings me to life. I also am highly visual when it comes to computing language. Once I see the question on a test written out for me, I have a much better chance at understanding the meaning and being able to correctly answer the question.  When it comes to assessment, I just do not do well on multiple choice exams... My brain seems to shut-down and I become highly, overly analytical.

These are things that I learned from my MAT program, but were enhanced and fortified through the following link.  I found answers to many of my questions here, and feel way more prepared to deal with all types of learners after following the links matched to each question.  Search around and let me know what you find most valuable, or what you are still curious about/struggling with after you are done looking through the site.  I hope it helps you out as much as it helped me!

Special Education Resources for General Educators Website

Differentiation in the Classroom or the Home

What is differentiation in a classroom or home?  Differentiation is creating and offering classroom instruction in a variety of ways to meet the needs of all learners.  Each child is different, and therefore, each child learns and understands things differently.  As an educator (or parent), once you realize that simple truth it becomes much more clear that you must differentiate you teaching to help fit the needs of the individual child.

No matter if you are working with SPED students, those strictly in a general education setting, or even your own children at home, you can greatly benefit from using differentiation in your approach to teaching, disciplining, and assessing a child. 

The following links provide resources that help a teacher learn how to differentiate in their classroom, what strategies there are for differentiation, and goes further in-depth as to why educators (or parents) need to differentiate in their classroom (or home).  I found both highly useful... See for yourself!

The Differentiation Workbook, Second Edition

Differentiation In the Classroom 

Scholastic's Take on Differentiation  

Ideas for Differentiation in a Secondary English Classroom

Support for Teachers!

Teachers can always use a little extra advice or support when dealing with all types of students.  Thus, when I was given this website as a resource in my SPED class I found it very useful.  As you click on the link below, look for a off-shoot link titled "Support for Teachers" on the left side, second bar down.  I found articles that are beneficial for special education and general education teachers on collaboration, co-teaching, networking, limiting paperwork and strategies for new teachers.  It has some real great, quick-read articles!

Click below and ENJOY!

Council for Exceptional Children