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Joseph Scotese
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Teaching Middle School E…
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Graphic Novels and Comics
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Literature Circles
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Teaching Writing
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Joseph Scotese's Discussions
Midsummer Night's Dream - HELP!
Replied Dec. 31, 2009
Joseph Scotese's Page
Latest Activity
I find that students are so intimidated by poetry that it's important to get them past that point. The main thing I tell them is that they don't need an English Teacher to understand a poem, and that they will never have to worry about "hidden meani…
The great thing about Shakespeare Set Free is that the activities will keep bringing your kids back to Shakespeare's actual text rather than away from it. In order to act out Shakespeare, you need to understand him - this principle can be found behi…
Someone just posted a very cool reading log, critical thinking exercise on The House of the Scorpion at my website - www.awaytoteach.net - you will have to register (it's free) and post a lesson of your own before you can access it though (though yo…
I could also see teaching some select episodes from "The Office." Michael is the perfect Gatsby - he seems to be a scoundrel at first glance - but he is better than all of those he surrounds himself with...
Joe Scotese
www.awaytoteach.net
OK - here's my two cents. I definitely think Ning is the easiest - both to set up and to navigate; however, I don't use it because I am always deathly afraid of what will happen if Ning goes out of business or changes the rules of the game. I've use…
Sorry,
After going back and checking on my website - I noticed that for some reason I had not published my Paradise Lost lessons - but they are up there now, so I appreciate the heads up.
Sounds great - I didn't know you could Skype with more than one person. Are there limits to the number of participants? I've been thinking of doing something similar except using something like TeamSpeak (made for gamers) in order to have more parti…
I teach it - I just give them the words and play the recording of Dylan Thomas - the rest is magic.
Profile Information
- Where do you work?
- Whitney Young Magnet High School
- What are you reading?
- The New Yorker
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- Teacher
Joseph Scotese's Videos
Joseph Scotese's Blog
A Blog on Illuminated Texts
After doing a little research - I've found out that I should be able to embed Adobe Flash Files into my blog, though I can upload them directly into the video section of the Ning. If I can - that will make sharing some of the terrific Illuminated Texts that my students create with others on this Ning. What follows is a link to my version of e e cummings "i carry your heart." It is the entire video and should fill your screen, if you are interested.… Continue
Posted on October 10, 2009 at 2:12pm — 5 Comments
Why I do not give students a choice in the books that we read together
Today's article in The New York Times on reading circles and giving students a choice in the books that they read made me think about my own reasons for not using that methodology in my own classroom. And while the following 10 reasons are my own - I do not pretend or even imply that they would be appropriate or fitting for any other teacher - I really do believe that there is room for all kinds of teaching in this world.
Ten Reasons that I Choose the Novels that my students read
1. Nothing in… Continue
Ten Reasons that I Choose the Novels that my students read
1. Nothing in… Continue
Posted on August 30, 2009 at 6:00am — 50 Comments
Iowans for Otters - Technology over Substance
There was an article in today's (08/09/09) New York Times that discussed, in very favorable terms, the death of the text book in classrooms and its replacement by electronic media. What bothered me more than anything else was what seemed to be a complete lack of skepticism in the reporter's analysis. It was as though the use of technology was going to eliminate bad teaching and inspire reluctant students in a way that was otherwise impossible to match through conventional teaching methods (whate… Continue
Posted on August 9, 2009 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments
The Tyranny of Best Practice
This blog began its life as a response to Federal, State, or Local Standards and their effect or effectiveness. I have been teaching for 20 years and during that time I have been asked to show how my teaching supports those standards, but importantly I have never been forced to change the way I teach because of them. Especially, to teach in what I would perceive as a negative way or in a way that is detrimental to my students.
On the other hand, there is a standard that I have seen forced on te… Continue
On the other hand, there is a standard that I have seen forced on te… Continue
Posted on August 4, 2009 at 4:30am — 40 Comments
Comment Wall (6 comments)
- At 5:38am on November 9, 2009,
Jim Burke said… - Let me look into it, Joe. I wonder if the site is at its current limit for space and I need to upgrade that...
- At 1:01am on November 9, 2009,
simona bernabei said…
- i had a quick look last night will go back today
thanks
- At 9:37pm on October 3, 2009,
Jennifer Smyth said… - Joe,
I finally had some time to explore A Way to Teach today, and I'm loving the Illuminated Texts. Tomorrow, I work on a handout for my students, so they can have the option of making PowerPoint ITs as Lit Circle Projects. Thanks for all the resources!
- At 11:20am on September 27, 2009,
Jennifer Smyth said…
- Joseph,
Thanks! I'm in!
- At 8:31am on September 27, 2009,
Jennifer Smyth said…
- Joseph,
Thanks for your help!
After I go through all the registration, pick my avatar, etc. it tells me the page I requested can't be found. I was wondering - is it because I don't have a group code?
Sorry for posting this on your wall - newbie couldn't figure out how to send a message.
- At 8:04am on September 24, 2009,
Gary Anderson said… - Joseph -- Congratulations on your EJ piece which arrived today. This is an issue that our department is kicking around right now, so those two articulations will be very helpful.
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Latest Activity
And what about the fact that often writers don't know what their thesis is until they begin reflecting in writing about a subject or occurrence? Happens to me all the time.
Thank you so much everyone! I definitely have a better feel for how essential questions work. I've been able to brainstorm a few and included a few here. Feel free to tell me if I am way off base.
What does it mean to be an “Outsider”?
What makes…
Judith--
One opportunity is Teen Ink (http://www.teenink.com). This is a publication for teens only, ages 13-19, to submit and publish their work. The one draw back I found is that once accepted, Teen Ink keeps all rights to the work. This means ki…
Bill,
You have it wrong. I didn't say the theory has not had wide influence. I never said anything like that. I agree that it has had wide influence. What I said was I've never heard of teachers labeling themselves as constructivists or nonconstruct…
The Ugly Truth is that my number one goal for my students right now has to be to raise their 2010 standardized test scores.
I find it disturbing, off-base, heart-wrenching, and almost something shameful to admit. However, NCLB has my entire school'…
I am in search of a novel set during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl era. It will be used in a 10th grade history class; most of the students are struggling readers. The teacher would like to stay away from the "big name classics." He wants something…
Yay Doug! He was one of my teachers in pre-teaching grad school (itp.nyu.edu), and I'm a huge fan of his work. Thanks for posting this, Frank. I'm really excited to see what these guys have come up with this time.
I am looking for opportunities for high school students to publish their writing. I am in VT. We are part of the NWP and can certainly offer that to our students. I know about the Mountain Review, but I would really appreciate other venues where stu…
Oh, a marvelous poem, Carol -- by one of my favorite poets. In graduate school far back in the 60's, I took a creative writing class from Bly at the University of Kansas, and have never forgotten it. Thanks for the connection.
I actually do have a plan (I also have a yearly book filled with objectives). I just can't say I have a detailed plan. I found it easier to plan for 90 minute block lessons than the 45 minutes we have at this school which makes me feel like I am in…
Oh I do! I just had a tutorial with a final year student, who thank me for introducing her to philosophy. It's just that the rest of it sucks up so much time.
Andy,
The fact that you have not heard of it doesn't mean the theory has not had a wide influence. Nearly every school of education in America now promotes "constructivist" ideas, and it is why many of our student teachers are not receiving some of…
How about this for a poetic connection to your posting, Hamilton?
Gratitude to Old Teachers by Robert Bly
When we stride or stroll across the frozen lake,
We place our feet where they have never been.
We walk upon the unwalked. But we are uneasy.…
I really think that PDFs kick SOOO much butt compared to .mobi Kindle Books or any other text with DRMs.
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