Look for the good in everything
Look for the people who will set your soul free
It always seems impossible until it’s done
Look for the good in everyone
Jason Mraz
Welcome to Ms. Wright’s blog! I launched this over my school’s spring break as a way to communicate more accessibly for all my middle school students and families (no logins needed), to open up my teaching practice, and to model the blogging that I’m asking students to do.
Writing for an actual audience isn’t easy, but I’m convinced it’s worth it. More readers = more feedback = more growth + more motivation to hone one’s craft. If we already know that writing for an audience (beyond just 1 teacher) is beneficial for at least 10 reasons, then it’s good for me, too.
What kinds of posts you’ll find here:
- Writing and reading mini-lessons
- Blogging help geared toward students
- Some analytical and creative writing, when I respond to the same prompts assigned to students
What’s new:
Summer school, part 1: write to your elected officials to make a difference
Now that there are no mandatory writing assignments, no tests, and no set curriculum, let’s explore ways to keep learning and make a difference outside of school. This week, I’ll share some resources and quick tips for writing to your mayor, city council member, president, or Congressional representative. This is the first of a weekly…
Movement is Medicine: a “This I Believe” essay
Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment. Thich Nhat Hanh, from Living Buddha, Living Christ I breathe, in and out, to the rhythm of steps and leaps upon the pavement. Right now, running is what I have. We are quarantined,…
How to create and launch a FREE WordPress blog (with screenshots)
In 1839, English writer Edward George Bulwer Lytton wrote: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Words are so powerful that strong words–whether of love or hate–persist in our memories far longer than either a hug or a hit. Blogging takes the mighty pen (or keyboard, really) and combines it with visuals. Because humans are…
7 things every student’s blog post should have and do
“Write a blog post,” your teacher said. “Make it about whatever you want,” she said. And now, you’re staring at an intimidating blank blog document that looks something like this: Not to worry, I’m going to take the hours of research and time spent tinkering around with my own new blog and break it down…
4-R Reading Guide: a tool to deepen understanding and build connections to reading
What are the 4 R’s? Read: the first step is simply to read something. Rather than letting the words wash over you, the goal is to read for understanding. So with this step, you’ll select 1 significant quote, generate 2 questions/wonderings, and identify 1-2 new words. Re-tell: this second step seems really simple, and that’s…
Writing Skills Workshop: Sentence-Combining, part 1 of 3
The comma! Semicolon + transitional adverb / Colon Sentence-branching What is that circled line missing? A comma! Commas are crucial tools for separating thoughts and ideas, whether they be as small as a list of symptoms, or a big as your greatest new idea. Let’s go over 2 ways commas can be used to create…
Help! Sonnets kill me.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in Ms. Wright’s English class and want to improve your grade. Congrats! This is a really (really) weird time in life, and I’m super proud of you for making an effort and getting started . I made a slide deck of sonnet help, and used that to create a…
Web-based Learning
Web-based learning tools are SO much smarter than they were just a few years ago! The amazing thing about both i-Ready and Vocabulary.com is that the robots learn your unique skills and needs and adjust the content to make a plan just for you. Our primary web-based learning tools this year: i-Ready Log into your…
Welcome to Ms. Wright’s 8th grade English class.
Becoming Students already are and are becoming critical, metacognitive, skeptical, and creative thinkers. Research shows that project-based learning is an important and effective way to allow students choice and stretch their thinking. “If students learn to take responsibility for their own learning, they will form the basis for the way they will work with others…
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8th grade English @ CVLCC 