Survivor Macbeth! (repost)

A fun way to bring Shakespeare into the classroom:

Survivor Macbeth!

Literary Analysis

I read an interesting article tonight titled "How I screw up the literary analysis essay" which hurt - that's what I've been doing. But I'm not sure I'm any closer to helping my grade 12s prepare for their final exam, as I continue to press them to practice, practice, practice how to write a critical-analytical piece. It's torture for them and for me.

Where can I go next?

Pondering

The NCTE Blog post Writing for Our Students my students and their writing ability. My school is not a "school of choice", but rather the only option for most of my students. It is a constant struggle for me to balance teaching what I know they need to know and teaching what they should know (aka the basics). While these two areas, I think, should be the same, I find that I am battling more and more with students who are not where they should be in terms of reading/writing...speaking/listening...viewing/representing... etc. This is frustrating. This is hard.  One-on-one seems to be the best way that I can meet the needs of my students individually, but is there enough time in the day?!

Poetry SLAM!

It gave me goosebumps to watch the following a year ago...

and a week ago, I chuckled when I watched this...

and then I watched my students performing for our Project Week SLAM.

In the words of a colleague, my "teacher heart grew"! This is what it is all about.

Survivor Macbeth!

Hello beginning teachers! Welcome! You have chosen a fantastic profession to be a part of - though it will stretch you and frustrate you some days, you will find endless rewards as you work with the students along your path.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask for help!

Survivor Macbeth Unit Plan

• Rules of Survivor Macbeth
• Scorecard
• Logo/graphic
• Characterization Project

Activities & Other Resources

• Penguin Teacher Guide
• Macbeth in prose
• Clan Challenge questions (sample)
• Creative Project & Rubric
• Crossword
• Vocabulary Matching
• Macbeth & The Simpsons

Break a leg!

Proof Reading & other such, you know, like stuff - Taylor Mali

Proof Reading!


Sound like you KNOW what you're talking about!

H/T to a colleague, SS.

Google for Teachers

I am very excited about a new project I'm undertaking with the English team at our high school. We are utilizing Google Docs in our classrooms for things such as essays, lit circles and more. I really the accessibility of Google Docs - anywhere, anytime. Not only do I NOT have to take a pile of marking home with me, but I can also check in to see how students are doing, track information, and access it from anywhere.

There are a few websites I am relying upon for this endeavour:
Google for Educators - powered by Google

Free Technology for Teachers - an all-time favourite site for ideas to use in my classroom. I use it constantly!

Guide to Google - again, but Free Tech... and who can turn down FREE?