1800s Reform Movements and TODAY

Students have been hard at work learning about the different reform movements that took place during the 1800s. Many of the rights gained during these movements impact us today in 2018. Brave, bold, courageous men and woman of all races stood up, advocated, and made our world a better place. 
After learning an overview of movements - students chose one to read a bit more on and create a mini-protest sign that summarized the issue in a creative way. 

Using Harriet Beecher Stowe's technique of bringing EMOTIONAL voice to an issue (author of Uncle Tom's Cabin), students used their research to write an I AM poem. By blending their facts alongside a personified "voice" for their cause, they were able to really make some powerful protest poetry. 
THIS is the world we live in today, we must always remember that if we want change, change starts with us. 


We than discussed how WE are a new generation and that we have a responsibility to stand up for the right, recognize injustice, and protect those who do not have a voice. After brainstorming different political, social, and moral issues of 2018, students chose one that meant a lot to them and did research. 
This idea was and adaption of TeachinginRoom6 activity (she seamlessly blends English and history in her 5th grade classroom!) I simply added an additional research part and required a minimum of three actual statistics, facts, testimonies, etc. to be added to the poem. The poem research and template are available on my TPT. 
The end results were POWERFUL. 

CLOSE Reading and Annotating Poetry

For our poetry unit, I focused on ballads (poems that tell stories). Ballads were an extremely popular style of poetry during the 17th and 18th centuries and deal with many colonial issues. We studied "The Highwayman", "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere", "Ballad of the Working Man", "The Black Velvet Band", and others. 
We worked together to analyze tone, rhythm, rhyme, repetition, bias and point of view in poetry, impact of figurative language, and overall theme and author's meaning. 
To complete the unit, students worked independently to annotate a ballad independently. While we have moved on from the "introductory unit" we will continue to analyze different types of poetry throughout the year. 

I have completely fallen in love with CLOSE reading and annotation - I find that by giving the students a rubric type break down of the items to analyze, they are able to practice the skill independently and come to very deep connections and thoughts on literature. This technique is very similar to Article of the Week, an idea founded by Kelly Gallagher. For more information on Article of the Week and example articles, check out THIS post. 

Fall Poems and Leaf Rubbings

Using figurative language, along with the different parts of speech, we wrote Fall poems describing HOW the season of fall comes and WHAT it brings with it. 

First we filled in a graphic organizer labeling NOUNS, VERBS, ADJECTIVES, and PHRASES that reminded us of Fall (or Autumn). When doing the verbs, I liked to have a bucket of leaves on hand to be able to throw them up and have the kids write what the leaves are doing (dances, twirls, spins, floats, etc.) 

 Once we have completed the boxes, students then use their brainstorming to fill in the figurative language poem. I provide sentence stems for students to fill in. I feel that this helps students get a feel for good poetry, gives them practice, and still allows for freedom within correct poetry structure.

If you are interested in getting the handout, check out my TPT for a FREEBIE! 

 Then, we did leaf rubbings and placed them behind the poems.  

Do you ever do "sentence stem" poetry with your students? 

Leaf Poems and Scenic Fall Drives

I don't know about ya'll but this fall has been TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY BEAUTIFUL! Every day on the way home from work it is MUCH to dark on my way to work to see anything. too early i tell you! I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds me on either side of the road! I do not know if it has been the increase of constant, perpetual rain or what but it has produced some of the most fabulous colors!
Okay. So I did a bit of research. Shut up, yes I am a teacher, it is in our BLOOD! 
Annnnnd ....
I discovered that FROST is the culprit for creating a most spectacular fall. When an late frost arrives the leaves begin their "shutting down" process much later, therefore storing more "color/food" in their leaves.

I just HAD to share my drive from work with you. These are taken with a IPHONE no less - and they still look fantastic! Trust me, it is even more breathtaking in person. If you live in a seasonal state, I hope that your fall has been as incredible as ours here in the gorgeous state of Michigan.

Isn't this little Methodist church just the CUTEST!?

Love me some corn fields ... when I see them I am home. 

 I just LOVE tree lined roads, there are so many here in Michigan. Growing up in Ohio, Yes, I know, my family are all Michigan born and bred, I was the one raised in "ENEMY TERRITORY!" I can truly appreciate TREES - everywhere!

 It wouldn't be Michigan without a LAKE picture. Here is one of the SIX lakes that I pass on my way to work every morning. 

Teacher fun fact: Did you know? That if you stand anywhere in Michigan you are never more than 6 miles from a lake. Awesome. 

 How quaint is this little school house? It just needs a little tender loving care. Everyday I pass it. Everyday I want to buy it. 

I pass SO MANY barns on the way to school - reminders that "home" is in the midwest. 

They just look so perfect in the fall ... corn fields, bright trees, bursts of red. Love. 

 I even found a little fall creeping up our apartment building! 

Thanks for coming for a drive with me! 

In honor of this totally FAB season, the kiddos did LEAF RUBBINGS and created leaf poems. 

 {Teacher pride}