If you’re looking for a shot of creative juice, this episode is definitely for you. You can listen below, or on iTunes, Blubrry, or Stitcher. Or read on for the written highlights.
In case you’re not in the mood to listen, I’ve outlined Tracee’s main points below. Dive in for more details.
Memes
“We just died laughing.” -TO
Memes are a quick and easy way for students to make connections to a novel, and they also help students dive surprisingly deeply into the text. When they create literary memes, you can have them present their work or put them all up for a quick gallery walk, then use the memes as a springboard into discussion.
Another great way to use memes is to have students represent a section of a difficult reading with a meme. For example, Tracee had her students create memes after each act of Julius Caesar, which then became “the world’s quickest, most entertaining Cliffnotes.” She has found the memes to be really helpful in getting everyone on the same page with understanding a higher level text. The memes provide a leveling before diving into text-based activities, so that everyone’s confusion gets sorted out in a super engaging way (no more having to go over plot summaries just to throw everyone a lifeline!). It’s a really helpful way for students to share their understanding and help to teach peers who who are struggling.
One important caution: Be sure you preview any meme creation site you consider using. It might be easier to have your students make their memes with an online tool like Canva or in Powerpoint. You can also create templates for them to use. You don’t want them surfing through sketchy material while doing an exercise for class!
Read more about how Tracee uses memes over on her site.
Interactive Notebooks
“If I gave them a little question to think about, to ponder as they cut… they sat there and talked, and just had conversations about the book.” -TO
When it comes to interactive notebooks, there’s a lot to love. But this tool is great in a reasonably sized dose. Choose a unit that could use a hook and plug this strategy in for that unit only.
Interactive notebooks are super hands-on, which is nice in an era where students are so technology-dependent that they rarely even use paper anymore. It gives them a real change of pace and a chance to de-stress to sit around cutting and assembling interactive notebooks.
Tracee’s key advice is to give them something to consider while they are constructing their interactive notebooks. Throw out a great discussion starter for your reading for them to chat about as they work. That way they are processing, talking, and learning while they are creating their interactive notebooks.
See some examples of interactive notebooks and find out more about how Tracee sets them up over on her site.
The Power of YA
“I don’t care what you’re reading, as long as you’re interested in it.” -TO
After teaching The Odyssey and seeing it completely tank with the kids, Tracee began exploring using YA fiction in the classroom. When she got the OK to teach The Hunger Games from her principal, she was amazed at the results. Kids would come early and want to stay late or come in during study hall to READ.
Since then she is profoundly aware that if the kids are into it, they will read it. Better to assign something they want to read! As Tracee says, there are just “so many good young adult books out right now. If you’re looking for some titles to help you get started, consider The Hate U Give, Children of Blood and Bone, The Legend Series, Divergent, Dear Martin, The Knife of Never Letting Go.
Go-To Creative Projects / Prompts for Any Novel
“Some of the questions are just so far out, they are just bizarre. But it gets the students thinking!” -TO
Tracee isn’t afraid to get students thinking outside the box. Sometimes it’s the most surprising questions that get them started connecting to and analyzing a text.
Here are a few of her favorite prompts…
- What would this character tweet?
- Playlist: what a character would listen to?
- What song would describe the mood at this point in the story?
- Which character reminds you of (celebrity students like)? This prompt is reminiscent of the old Facebook standby, tag a person who reminds you of…
- What brand of shoes would a character wear?
- What kind of cell phone would a character carry? (Sound crazy? Questions like these get students thinking differently about a character and their traits and motivations… )
- What type of perfume would a character wear?
Connect with Tracee Orman, of Mrs. Orman’s Classroom
Tracee Orman has been teaching and writing curriculum for almost twenty years, and she is a powerhouse of creative ideas for the classroom. You can connect with her just about everywhere, here are some starting points!
On her Website
On her Instagram
On Twitter
On TPT
Did you know you can learn about all your wish list ELA strategies on your daily commute or walk with The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast? Explore one-pagers, escape rooms, sketchnotes, creative annotation options, research projects, poetry workshops, and much more through over a hundred quick episodes waiting for you on your favorite podcast player!
9 Comments
놀이모아
카지노사이트
바카라
바카라사이트
한국야동
Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you. best configuration laptop under 15000
A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. agencja interaktywna warszawa
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. seo malaysia
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks! 바카라검증
Thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.. 100 free instagram likes instantly
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. 카지노사이트
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. adult memes
I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. humor books for adults