ConnectEng
Newsletter of Web English Teacher

October 18, 2009

|What's new at Web English Teacher| |Sites to check out| |Chalkdust|

What's new at Web English Teacher?

Writing Character Sketches
Advice on making characters come to life, some models.

Sites to check out

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
These materials from the FILM project include a 41-page discussion guide emphasizing literacy and character development. Adobe Reader required for access.

Innovativocab
Suggestions for teaching vocabulary, with or without technology integration, when the ol' vocab workbook just doesn't seem to get the job done.

"The Masque of the Red Death"
This 4-page guide for teachers offers prereading activities, vocabulary words, literary terms, and post-reading writing prompts. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

My Award Maker, which I have recommended before, is now Certificate Street. Same great certificates, some great price (free!). You might want to update your bookmarks.

The New York Times Learning Network has been revamped and is now a blog. Please bear with me as I update links to those lessons.

No More Moldy Oldies: Appreciating Classic Texts
How can teachers help students push past boredom or disinterest and find value in literary classics? In this lesson, students reflect on their reading experiences and generate strategies to promote understanding, appreciation and enjoyment. This lesson uses Where the Wild Things Are as a starting point and incorporates a related article from the New York Times. It's aimed at grades 6-12.

Printable Graphic Organizers
Free printables to support both reading and writing for all students, though primarily elementary/middle school. Follow links to other resources -- this is a rich site!

The Secret Life of Bees
The 39-page discussion guide includes research into bees and other insects, the civil rights movement, gender equity, and the importance of love and home. Adobe Reader required for access.

Teacher's Handbook: Edgar Allan Poe
A great resource from the U. S. National Park Service: 58 pages of biography, background, and activities. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

Using the Arts in the Content Areas
Looking for a way to respond to reading that integrates the arts? This matrix was compiled by educator Mary Tigner-Rasanen.

Writings on a River: Creating Composite Characters, Like Those of Mark Twain
In this lesson, students read the first chapter in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. They then identify adjectives that help to define a character's personality, such as those of the title character in that book. Finally, students write an original story or scene for a play, based on a composite character of their own creation, after selecting three or more specific character traits.

Chalkdust

I have re-launched my blog, Chalkdust. Here are a couple of entries.

• Stamps: the Writing Task
  How a sheet of stamps inspired a short, researched writing task.
• Ugh!
  Musings on the importance of helpful feedback.

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Pray for peace.

Carla Beard
Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com
Twitter: @webenglishteach

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