June 2019
In this issue:
 For the past couple months I filmed and edited some videos starring members of the ELA standards writing team. Each video is an introduction and explanation of one of the eight overarching Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts. My hope is that these videos can provide clarity and inspiration for teachers as they plan lessons and units.
I shared the videos in the ELAOK Facebook group, and I have also placed the videos on a page in the Curriculum Framework where they join three other standards videos created by Josh Flores.
If you're keeping tabs, there is still one more video to be made (Standard 5: Language). I'll be working on that this summer and hope to get it published before the school year starts.
 Speaking of the ELA Curriculum Framework, the summer is a great time to delve into this amazing resource created by Oklahoma teachers, for Oklahoma teachers! You can find lots of pointers and resources to teach every objective from the Oklahoma Academic Standards for ELA. If you need help navigating the site, I created a brief, seven-minute overview video. You can find it on YouTube or in the right menu bar of the Framework's homepage.
The WRITE Center, a national research and development center focusing on secondary writing, will host three free livestreaming events showcasing three acclaimed authors of professional books for teachers on academic reading and writing.
Each Livestream event will have an author presentation session (~1 hour 15 minutes) followed by a moderated Q&A session (~30 minutes). The events are from 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Pacific Time, which means 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Central Standard Time. What a great way to get some free PD this summer!
June 26: Jim Burke
Six Academic Writing Assignments: Designing the User’s Journey
July 3: Kelly Gallagher
180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents
July 10: Carol Jago
The Book in Question: Why and How Reading is in Crisis
For more information, check out the WRITE Center website or the events' flyer.
|
The Oklahoma State Department of Education will take its professional development conference on the road again this summer with EngageOK 2019. I will be presenting workshops related to secondary ELA, including teaching the six traits of writing through mentor texts and helping struggling secondary readers. Of course, there will be lots of other presenters and topics as well. We hope to see you on the road! Learn more and register now!
Save the date!
- July 15: Woodward
- July 16: Lawton
- July 17: Durant
- July 18: Bixby
- July 23: Moore
|
The Oklahoma State University Writing Project is offering a day-long foldables class on June 7, 2019, at Willard Hall on OSU's Stillwater campus. ELA topics include reading, argument writing, and English learners. There is a $49 registration fee. See more information on the registration form and the flyer below.
Want a new way to teach Standard 1: Speaking and Listening? Listenwise has thousands of 3-6 minute stories for grades 5-12. With your free teacher account, you get access to:
- Their lesson collections for Social Studies, ELA, and Science
- Authentic audio news stories curated for the classroom
- Teaching resources to check for understanding
- And new Current Events every school day
|
The 2019 Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English fall conference will take place on October 5 in Stillwater at Willard Hall on OSU's campus from 9am to 4pm. The keynote speaker is Antero Garcia, a professor from Stanford University who has written numerous books on teaching English. You can get to know him through his blog and Twitter.
You can register for the conference now and submit a proposal to present.
Writing Prompt
This month's writing prompt comes from the 2019 AP English Language and Composition exam.
The term “overrated” is often used to diminish concepts, places, roles, etc. that the speaker believes do not deserve the prestige they commonly enjoy; for example, many writers have argued that success is overrated, a character in a novel by Anthony Burgess famously describes Rome as a “vastly overrated city,” and Queen Rania of Jordan herself has asserted that “[b]eing queen is overrated.”
Select a concept, place, role, etc. to which you believe that the term “overrated” should be applied. Then, write a well-developed essay in which you explain your judgment. Use appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument.
Reading Quote
 FlipGrid Video
Now that it's summer, take some time to peruse the ELAOK Flipgrid board. There are various topics such as introductions, favorite books, resolutions, and teacher heroes. You can even share a video of yourself! |
|
 |
|
