Tag Archives: teaching English
If It Ain’t Broke: The Workshop Model
by GABRIELLE LENSCH PLASTRIK If It Ain’t Broke. . . don’t fix it, right? But what if “fixing it” might make it better? I have spent the last few weeks trying to make some important decisions about how I will … Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, Essays
Get on the School Bus: Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers
by ALISTAIR BOMPHRAY Any public school teacher will attest to the difficulty of organizing a field trip. There’s paperwork to fill out, signatures to obtain, and money to raise. Not to mention the logistical headache of shepherding an unwieldy troop … Continue reading
Filed under Essays, Interviews
Another Year, Another Race: Taking our students from August to June
Gabrielle Lensch Plastrik reflects on the marathon that is teaching a year of high school English. Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, Essays
The Skills I Teach
A lot of English teachers teach a content-based curriculum. Most schools are set up to encourage that arrangement. For instance, I am assigned United States’ Literature and European Literature as my classes. While I keep my literature selections to the required geographical regions and work as best I can with the history class that pairs with mine, I try as hard as I can to shape my curriculum around teaching skills. Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, Essays
Why I Teach (Even In February)
In the middle of a school year, ’round about February 15th, after winter break, but before spring break, about the time when all energy and creative thought has been mangled by exhaustion, I question why I teach. Continue reading
Filed under Essays
