So....the textbook for my lit class that I am teaching BORING! We have to read the stuff from the text, but I at least want to do something different for vocab activities, comprehension and the like. ANY IDEAS?!?
I just checked out The English Teacher's Companion from the library and its great--it has all kinds of ideas like you're looking for. I hate those stupid textbooks though they make fine outlines and help you decide what needs to be covered.
I'm in the middle of no where. (Northern Wisconsin.....) BUT I will attempt to get my hands on a copy of that.
I had to teach a librarian in the boonies of MO how to do interlibrary loan. You might as well buy it from amazon though--it's not expensive and you need it. BTW, I love N. Wisconsin.
I probably will buy it (as soon as that first much needed paycheck rolls in! ) I love it up here too, but it gets COLD! It is only 2 and a half hours more north of where I grew up but I cannot believe the difference! (It frosted last week! WHAT, It's August!)
I try to find neat ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge to me by assigning projects - art, music, drama, writing, etc. They love it!
I use freerice.org on occasion so the kids can practice the vocabulary strategies we work on everyday as a bellringer. It is a great website--check it out! Also, do a search for the "Say Anything" activity. It is a great activity I have used many times in my classroom.
My kids wrote comic strips last week to retell their story in the basal. This week, they will be writing scripts and acting them out. Should be fun.
If you have access to the internet with your kids, readwritethink.org has some great lessons that use interactive technology. Even if you don't, they still have good lessons that use more traditional supplies.
I love using comic strips--totally forgot about that one! Also, I have a vocabulary tic tac toe sheet I use. It has nine activities, some more traditional, but also some are for the more creative minded, such as write a song using vocabulary words. The kids have to choose three that would give them a tic tac toe.
