Merry Christmas

A to Z: The Best Books for Teens (repost from Help Teaching)

Step into the young adult section of your local library or bookstore and you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of books written just for teens. From paranormal romance to dystopian tales, there are plenty of options. The problem is, most teens aren’t reading them. To help teens wade through the masses, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks.

How’d we choose the books on our list? We looked for books that were exciting, books that teens could connect with emotionally, books that told about real-life teens, and books that would encourage teens to think a little deeper about the world. Some are fun, some are serious, and all are great reads.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a graphic novel that focuses on Jin Wang, a Chinese-American student who just wants to be an American boy. It’s a quirky story that deals with identity, disaster, and The Monkey King.

Blubber by Judy Blume is one of those classic novels teens have loved to read for decades. It takes on bullying and asks teens to consider how far is too far when it comes to making fun of someone.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is a slightly odd, but enjoyable book about a character name Christopher John Francis Boone. He is intelligent, but very little, and has no real understanding of human emotions. The novel was recently adapted into a Broadway musical.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick is one of Amazon’s 100 Young Adult Books to Read in a Lifetime. The book tells the story of Steven, whose younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, and how he and his family navigate life in the wake of the diagnosis.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler has a humorous title, but it takes on very important issues that teens face, such as eating disorders, self-esteem, and rape.

Feed by M.T. Anderson, which is set in the future, imagines what would happen if televisions and computers were implanted into everyone’s brain. Teens will be able to connect many of the novel’s events with today’s focus on technology.

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian introduces readers to a teen prophet, Larry. In a humorous way, this book discusses issues of self-identity, popularity, and what it takes to conquer the masses.

Hoops by Walter Dean Myers is a great book for teen boys. It follows Lonnie Jackson who dreams of being a big-time basketball player one day, but must deal with the pressures of life that get in the way.

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman shows a teen standing outside her body and considering her life up until that moment. It’s a powerful story that will encourage teens to consider what makes their lives worth living.

Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume is a story of friendship. Stephanie and Rachel have been friends forever, but their friendship is altered by the addition of a new friend, Alison, and by life changes, but they learn to navigate it all together.

The Kill Order by James Dashner is part of the popular  Maze Runner series. This prequel provides teens with a welcome introduction to the events of the series and helps them learn more about Mark, Thomas, and Teresa.

Looking for Alaska by John Green is an award-winning book from one of young adult literature’s hottest authors. This particular story deals with sexuality, fitting in, grief, and controversial life choices.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers is written as a screenplay mixed with journal entries that detail Steve Harmon’s life in prison. Is he really he monster he sees himself as?

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer is part of the infamous Twilight series. Like it or not, many teens love Twilight, so that earned this book a place on our list.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of those classic novels that every teen, especially teen boys, should read. It tells the story of the Greasers and the Socs and shows how they navigate some of life’s toughest moments.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a coming-of-age story that was turned into a major motion picture. It is written as a series of letters from a character named Charlie who must handle a whole host of social and psychological problems.

The Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof tells the story of two teenagers, one with a fatal illness, who learn major lessons about life and about love.

Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper takes the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet and sets it in Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple, from two different cultural backgrounds, must fight their families and their friends to maintain their relationship.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson follows Melinda, a formerly popular girl who has become an outcast. Readers will learn a lot about high school, the power of rumors, and what it means to stand up for yourself.

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper is part of the Hazelwood High Trilogy, a series of books about a group of African-American teenagers and the struggles they face. In this book, Andy deals with guilt after his best friend is killed in a drunk-driving accident.

Uprising: Three Young Women Caught in the Fire that Changed America by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a historical fiction novel that centers around a fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City. The book helps teens learn about the Industrial Revolution and its effects on many different types of Americans.

Very Far Away from Anywhere Else by Ursula K. Le Guin focuses on two friends, Owen and Natalie. Near the end of their senior year in high school. Owen narrates the novel as he figures out what their friendship means and whether he really knows as much as he thinks he does.

WTF by Peter Lerangis is an edgy book that tells of two parties from six different points of view. It’s a high energy, action-packed story that focuses on some of the worst-case scenarios that can happen to real teens.

X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon that tells about Malcolm Little’s younger years. The book, which was co-written by Malcolm X’s daughter, helps explain the life decisions that he made before becoming the famed civil rights leader.

YOLO Juliet by Brett Wright and William Shakespeare takes the tale of Romeo and Juliet and puts it into terms teens today can understand. While it may seem a bit crazy, it’s actually a very clever take on classic literature that can help get teens hooked on the Bard.

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts shares the story of two teens who meet in the pediatric cancer ward of a hospital. Both have very different personalities and perspectives on their illness, which means they each have something to offer the other.

Today is in remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993.

 

Target is partnering with DonorsChoose to fund classroom projects that are focused on helping kids improve in the areas of nutrition, health, and/or fitness. Target has pledged $5 million for this initiative, and they are planning to fund 5,000 projects! You can get up to $5000 worth of classroom resources through this initiative if you work at school that's eligible for DonorsChoose funding? 

What can kinds of materials can you ask for? How about sports equipment, playground balls, stability balls for seating, yoga mats, FitBits, pedometers, exercise bikes for "ride and read" programs, Hokki stools, resistance bands, classroom rugs for flexible seating, an ipod for dance and exercise music.... You need to act now!

Read Where You Are

Join the movement on Friday, August 5, 2016 – as people across the country participate in the annual #ReadWhereYouAre day of action.

#ReadWhereYouAre is the U.S. Department of Education's annual call to action which encourages more reading time out of school, especially over the summer months, as a part of the My Brother's Keeper Initiative. Participating is easy – simply share a photo online of yourself reading, wherever you love to read, and use the hashtag #ReadWhereYouAre. Encourage your friends and family to do the same!

 

http://www2.ed.gov/readwhereyouare/index.html?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

 

The days are getting shorter and for some of us, the summer break is almost all over. This year, l am asking each of you to continue working on your goal(s).  

I teach because if I make the difference in the life of  just one child, I would have made an impression on the world. I pray this upcoming school year is the best that you have ever had! 

The Educator's Corner

                                          Ear to Ear

Skill: peer editing

To help students identify changes that need to be made in their writing, try this partner activity. First, have student pairs place their chairs next to each other, but facing opposite directions. Next, have each student attach her rough draft to a clipboard before exchanging it with her partner. One student softly reads her partner's paper aloud, stopping when needed to clarify or ask questions before making suggestions for improving the paper. Then the other student repeats the process. Not only will this technique keep the noise level down, students will easily be able to hear how their own writing flows and how their stories progress. From Mailbox

                    PAPER PLATE ADVOCACY
Congress only has a few weeks left to pass the Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) this year, so they are organizing a paper plate campaign to share with legislators the many reasons that healthy school meals and farm to school are vital for a healthier next generation. Please join.

Family activities abound over the 4th of July. According to Bonnie Terry, the 4th of July is the perfect time for a family activity such as a picnic, BBQ,Ball Between the Legs Race, Egg on a Spoon Race, Blowing up a Baloon Race, 3-legged Race, Sack Race, etc. And while you’re at it, do some relay races, an obstacle course, or water balloon toss. Relay races and obstacle courses actually improve several areas of learning including auditory memory, visual memory, laterality, and directionality. Be sure to take pictures!

Go to the fireworks and while you are watching them, be extra observant. Count how may blue, green, red, white, and multi-colored fireworks there are. You can even make a chart for this. Decide which colors were your favorite ones. Was there a style that you liked better than another? This will help you with your observation skills.

You can also look at the different kinds of people that come to view the fireworks. How many little children? How many do you think were school-age? How many teens? How many adults? How many people were dressed in red, white, and blue?

Afterwards, on July 5th, put the pictures together with a quick summary of your day using  a graphic organizer. Then, three-hole punch your summary and keep it in a family notebook. At the end of the summer, you’ll have a great family memory book as well!

Parents and teachers should promote the 12 powerful words with students consistently with students at every opportunity. The “12 Powerful Words” have been identified as words commonly used on standardized tests that cause students difficulty. Students may feel confused by these words causing them to answer a question incorrectly.

 Powerful Strategies Teachers Can Use to make the 12 Powerful Words a Part of Every Child’s Vocabulary

Taken from 12 Powerful Words by Larry Bell

Powerful Strategies to make the

12 Powerful Words a Part of Every Child’s Vocabulary

• Use them daily otherwise some students will rarely hear them
• Make your students explain what you mean when you use one of the 12 Powerful words
• Re-phrase what students say using a power verb
• Use them as if they are a part of normal, everyday conversation. Start a revolution in the way they think.
• Have a Word of the Day Select a word to focus on each day.
• The word should appear over and over on your blackboard, in verbal communication etc.
• Students must constantly find ways to say and write the word all period or all day long.
• Students can start class telling how the word is a part their everyday life.
• Display a Standard, Professional Poster. The poster is neat, clear and looks the same in every class.
• These serve as a daily reminder to all students.
• The posters also serve as a daily reminder to teachers to use the words.
• Some teachers have students respond to class questions by orally incorporating one of the 12 powerful words in their response.
• Put the 12 Powerful Words on Your Test. If you want students to fear these words on standardized test, they should get used to seeing them on your test.
• Put the “at-promise” friendly phrase or synonym in parenthesis beside the word. The will help students’ minds trigger a meaning every time they see the word.
• Seeing the words constantly can help make the words a part of each student’s vocabulary.
• Have Students Create a Rap Song Using the 12 Powerful Words Teacher Creates a 12 Powerful Word Song Using Existing Songs Use classic song
• Use songs from your childhood you know by heart.
• Use nursery rhymes. This demonstrates your passion for the words.
• Use them on Daily Quizzes
• Have students create tests and quizzes periodically using the 12 powerful words
• Word of the week

12 Powerful Words

1.  trace-an indication that something has been present

2.  analyze-break down into components or essential features

3.  infer-conclude by reasoning

4.  evaluate-estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of

5.  formulate-prepare according to instructions

6.  describe-give a statement representing something

7.  support-the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

8.  explain-make plain and comprehensible

9.  summarize-present the main points in a concise form

10.  compare-examine and note the similarities or differences of

11. contrast-the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

12.  predict-tell in advance