"When students are actively reading and applying multiple reading strategies as they read, they are able to understand the text at a deeper level."
Top Things to Do in ELA Class this September
Get to Know You Activities: Kick off the year by engaging students in activities that help build a sense of community. Icebreakers, personal introductions, and collaborative projects can create a positive classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Establish Reading Routines: Introduce your classroom library and set expectations for independent reading. Encourage students to select books that interest them and allocate time for silent reading. Begin discussing the first class novel or short story to ignite their love for literature.
Interactive Writing Prompts: Initiate creative and reflective writing with interactive prompts. Use intriguing prompts to spark students' imaginations and encourage them to share their thoughts, experiences, or aspirations through writing.
Literary Elements Exploration: Dive into literary elements such as character, plot, setting, and theme. Analyze examples from literature and guide discussions to deepen students' understanding of how these elements contribute to storytelling.
Introduce Vocabulary Strategies: Equip students with effective vocabulary-building strategies. Incorporate activities like word maps, context clues, and interactive vocabulary games to enhance their language skills.
Grammar Bootcamp: Begin reviewing essential grammar rules and concepts. Engage students in grammar exercises, editing tasks, and discussions about the importance of grammar in effective communication.
Writing Process Overview: Introduce the writing process by breaking down its stages: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Initiate the first writing assignment to give students hands-on experience with the writing journey.
Book Talks and Recommendations: Encourage students to share their reading experiences through book talks. Invite them to recommend books to their peers, fostering a reading culture within the classroom.
Literary Analysis Kickoff: Lay the foundation for literary analysis by discussing close reading strategies. Select a short text and guide students in dissecting its meaning, tone, and literary techniques.
ELA Technology Tools: Integrate technology tools relevant to ELA, such as digital platforms for book reviews, collaborative writing, or vocabulary practice. Familiarize students with these tools and their potential benefits.
This September, set the tone for a year of exploration, creativity, and growth in your ELA classroom. These activities will not only engage your students but also lay the groundwork for a successful and enriching academic journey.
More Great Ideas to Use This Year
Gamify Creative Writing
Although most sites mentioned on this newsletter is free, this one is a paid site. Having said that, if you struggle with writing in your class and your students love games, then this could be one of the greatest sites for your class! Interactive cards prompt students to devlop characters and themes in their writing.
Leveled Book Library
Step1: Print out a level chart for your class. You can find one here.
Step 2 - Get bins with different colors or stickers that you can place in a section of your classroom.
Step 3 - Go to https://bookwizard.scholastic.com/ and write the level on the book with a sharpie.
Vocabulary Charades / Pictionary
Do you introduce vocabulary words on a weekly basis? Tired of Kahoot or the "same old review?" Try Vocabulary Charades or Vocabulary Pictionary!
8 Strategies You Should Be Using to Teach
Main Idea
Teaching Main Idea is one of the most important things you can teach as an ELA teacher. Students' success with main idea will result in better writing, better vocabulary, and better fluency when reading. Here are some ways you should be teaching main idea:
Start with an Anchor Chart
Use Pictures
Emphasize Titles
Look at the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
Use Key Words (words that are repeated throughout a story)
Compare Supporting Details to the Main Idea (make sense of it)
Prioritize Information (have students find out what supports the main idea and what's "fluff")
Add the Missing Title (try to have students read a story without a title. Have them all create their own after reading a story and see who is the closest.)
