English teachers Group at eNotes

An attempt to describe as many different aspects of rain as possible. I...

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:47:10 PST

An attempt to describe as many different aspects of rain as possible. I find the last stanza(s?) the most interesting...suggesting that we would know rain even if we couldn't access it through our senses. It begs the question..how does rain define & disperse us? In what ways are we connected to rain, & how could we remain connected if those links were removed?

An interesting play on the senses, if a person is deaf, blind, etc.,...

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:22:30 PST

An interesting play on the senses, if a person is deaf, blind, etc., what rain would mean to them and how it would interact with them.

A wonderful description of rain in a very personal way within a free...

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:11:09 PST

A wonderful description of rain in a very personal way within a free verse, poetic form. Love the use of the "drum-roll" onomatopoeia as well as the very vibrant sensory images that abound within the poem and cover each of the five senses. (In fact, I would venture a guess that this may have been written as a classroom assignment for sensory images.) If the poem is your own, my suggestion would be to submit it to your school's literary...

I believe when a student comes to us in crisis it is very important that...

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 17:09:06 PST

I believe when a student comes to us in crisis it is very important that we use our own professional judgement as well as common sense. We always want to do want is best for our students, but it is imperative that we never let the lines of our roles as teachers become blurred by the situation. This year, one of my students came to me and told me that she was pregnant. I was very uncomfortable with the situation. I was not sure how to handle...

As we all know, sometimes students just need to vent, someone who will...

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 13:28:56 PST

As we all know, sometimes students just need to vent, someone who will listen, nod, and say "uh huh. And then what? What are you going to do about that?" They need a nonjudgmental listener. Sometimes, though, they really do need help with their feelings or with an immediate threat or problem. I can remember several times when I was faced with this situation. Instead of sending them to a counselor or a principal, I went with them, acting as a...

Yes, as teachers our job is to tap on all the resources that would make...

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:53:50 PST

Yes, as teachers our job is to tap on all the resources that would make our students be in a safe, learning environment so that nothing interferes with OUR job of, well, teaching. We can be there for them, and there are plenty of trained personnel, like the colleagues mentioned, that are specifically dedicated to issues of that nature. I would not get involved either because, first, I am a bit too emotional with kids in trouble, second,...

On my website. www.herappleness.com, I posted a very popular article on...

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:49:23 PST

On my website. www.herappleness.com, I posted a very popular article on RPGs (Role Playing Game) and how they help to integrate language arts, and ESL. I tested them all, and each one was more addictive than the other. The thing is, in answer to #2, you can MAKE your class A game, and the entire lesson can be a game as long as you establish the objectives, explain the assessment, and engage the students in reaching the goal of the lesson....

Linda, as a former yearbook adviser, believe me, I feel your pain! The...

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:59:45 PST

Linda, as a former yearbook adviser, believe me, I feel your pain! The woman you describe has more problems in her life than a senior tribute. Seriously, she does, and she vented on you. Don't take it personally. It's hard to be objective when somebody is using you as a punching bag, but try to disengage. Chances are nothing you could say or do would satisfy her because the senior tribute is not her real problem. She probably doesn't even know...

First of all, contact the company that publishes your yearbook. They...

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 06:05:18 PST

First of all, contact the company that publishes your yearbook. They have LOADS of information & materials, as well as on-call assistance. Get whatever they have and find out who your go-to contact person is. Call him/her and ask for information on who is a really good, experienced person who has your job in another school, and ask to be put in contact with that teacher. Second, join the National Council of Teachers of English discussion...

Determine a budget. Decide on a design, whether print or cd, or...

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 22:36:55 PST

Determine a budget. Decide on a design, whether print or cd, or dvd. Think about a theme for your yearbook. Design the pages of the book a) title page b) school employees c) class and group pictures of students and teachers d) club and project pictures e) various pics from school f) autograph pages Choose a software package that is inexpensive and can lay out yearbook pictures and has design Form a committee to divide up the work...

New Yearbook Sponsor/Teacher

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 18:06:16 PST

I will be taking over as the yearbook teacher/sponsor next school year. While I have had previous experience as the newspaper sponsor and Journalism teacher, I know that the two are completely different monsters. I NEED HELP and advice and where to even begin. What things should I be working on this summer to be ready for the first day of class next year? Seriously? Where do I even start? Any and all advice will be MUCH...

Having been a yearbook advisor, I know that few things get a parent...

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 16:02:40 PST

Having been a yearbook advisor, I know that few things get a parent fired up more than a yearbook! Heaven forbid you should modify a tradition, or have expectations about what should or should not be included! I do think it was right to pass the problem on to your administrator. I hope your principal gives you the support you are looking for in dealing with this parent.

The first thing I do is to immediately save all documentation that would...

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 17:32:57 PST

The first thing I do is to immediately save all documentation that would prove that what I am doing is completely opposite from what the parent claims. I always keep a file with any paper I ever send that parents might read because in our specific school our parents have a massive problem comprehending written documents ;) Second, alert the principal and tell what steps you plan to take and have the principal approve. Don't do anything without...

poetry HOW WOULD YOU INTERPRET THIS POEM?

Sat, 30 May 2009 01:45:46 PST

HONE TUWHARE

Rain

I can hear you

making small holes

in the silence

rain

If I were deaf

the pores of my skin

would open to you

and shut

And I

should know you

by the lick of you

If I were blind

the something

special smell of you

when the sun cakes

the...

I agree with Mrs.Monica as well. I think the first thing to do when it...

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:59:05 PST

I agree with Mrs.Monica as well. I think the first thing to do when it comes with difficult parents is to first build a rapport with them. Calling them the first day of school or before the child misbehaves, sending home a good note about the child, listing positives before the negatives and etc. when you have conferences. Personally, I think some teachers are reactive as opposed to proactive and don't contact parents until they have an...

The general differences between written English and spoken English are:...

Thu, 28 May 2009 01:45:29 PST

The general differences between written English and spoken English are: Intonation, stress patterns, transition and boundary features, and tone of voice are all found in spoken English. In written English, spelling and punctuation are utilized.

The best form of written English is one which closely follows the spoken...

Wed, 27 May 2009 23:04:19 PST

The best form of written English is one which closely follows the spoken English. The spoken English represents the latest trends in the language. It is the language which is understood and liked best by the common people. In comparison, written English tend to be rater stale or outdated. The reason for this is that while people are not very conscious of what they are saying, and specially how they are saying it, they become more careful and...

My heart truly goes out to you! I've been there. I cried, too. ...

Wed, 27 May 2009 20:26:33 PST

My heart truly goes out to you! I've been there. I cried, too. Like water off a duck's back, my friend, . . . like water off a duck's back. And as great advice as that is, I'm such a sensitive soul that I've NEVER been able to take it myself. Ha! I have always been happier, as I always say, "when it is just me and the kids." Gosh, we have a blast learning about Literature. Get parents involved and everything gets mucky. The...

I think I would have told the parent that if a picture was what made or...

Tue, 26 May 2009 01:41:17 PST

I think I would have told the parent that if a picture was what made or broke her daughter's high school experience; then she must have done something way wrong as a parent!

Writing an Article Analysis