Lively Language Arts

When I was in my graduate program, there was a particular professor that... well, let's just say he shouldn't have been there. Everything we wrote was apparently garbage, every discussion left students angry and upset... not what a MEd program should be. ANYWAY. The one and only thing that I remember being worthwhile in the two classes I took with him was a resource day. This was partially because it had nothing to do with him, but it was also because everyone brought a book they were passionate about that they had picked up along the way. It was so incredibly helpful, and I went shopping after that! So, since I know the usefulness of having someone else look at something and say, "Hey, this is worthwhile!", I thought I would share mine! These are some more targeted towards ELA/MS, but there is something for everyone! Whether you are in year 1 or year 40, anyone can use a reminder of the things you need to remember to do each year to make your class great. I tel...

In search of a new teacher planner, I decided to do some research. I needed a lift. I needed a "hug" of sorts with the thing that I used all day long in the classroom. And Erin Condren planners seemed to be the ticket. Last year was a little rough for me. It was hard leaving the kiddo, hard juggling all the grading and being a good mom, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, coworker... you get it. So when I came across the Life Planner, I LOVED it. I told myself that, somehow, I would make it work for a teacher planner because it was just so colorful and uplifting. BUT THEN. I discovered they actually made a teacher planner, and two whole hours of researching and watching videos on how to use them later, I bought one. Two weeks later, I bought the Life Planner, too. :) There are so many great things about this planner, but even receiving it was a gift! It's like a marvelous backsplash for life... :D SUCH beautiful packaging. I opted not to get mine persona...

  I LOVE MEANINGFUL QUOTES. There are so many awesome quotes that I wish I could carry with me at all times, or have someone pop out of nowhere and say them to me. I have had the Word Swag app for a while, but it never occurred to me to use it in the classroom. What I did was go onto Pinterest (can I say enough about Pinterest...) and look up some great quotes. Then, I picked a background and a font that I liked and voila! How can we use this?  - Posting quotes for a quick write prompt/starting point. Making them into art helps it stick and makes it more memorable as well. - Beginning a unit or novel with a quote that applies to the themes/ messages.  - Simply posting them on Edmodo or Google Classroom to give them something to think about.  - Blow them up as a picture and post them! (Note: I haven't tried this yet, but it looks like the quality is not diminished when making it into a large picture) Get the Word Swag app here.  ~ Caitlin...

Hello there, fellow teachers! My name is Caitlin, and I am a teacher in Portland, OR. I am currently teaching at a private school, teaching 6-8 language arts and a 6th grade homeroom and religion. I am going into my 10th (!!) year of teaching, and I am still incredibly passionate about what I do! Outside of school, I have an awesomely patient husband, an incredibly active toddler, and a crazy cat and dog. Life is busy! I am always, always looking for new and exciting ways to reach my students. There are many changes going on in my professional life with new literature textbooks, juggling a toddler and the grading load, and revitalizing curriculum; even after 10 years, I am open to new things. So that's the focus! Help others, share ideas, and hopefully make some great connections along the way! ~ Caitlin