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Phil Huff's Discussions
Texts to Pair with Romeo and Juliet
Replied Dec. 5, 2009
Preventing Readicide: What We Can Do
Replied Aug. 31, 2009
Preventing Readicide: What We Can Do
Replied Aug. 28, 2009
Phil Huff's Page
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I think ANY young contemporary novel would be appropriate and powerful.
One of the main reasons R & J is taught is that it's themes are as strong today as they were four hundred years ago.
If you spend time teaching the text academically, then give…
This is a great question. I feel that often we teach classics because...they're classics. The more specific we get with 'why' we're investing time in them the better.
I think the the fact that there is something important to take away from the work…
Michael,
From what I understand the Lesson plans are being re-worded to alleviate such concerns, but I saw them differently. I didn't see them as a request to 'serve' the President and his agenda. It looked more like a goal-setting challenge, i.e. "…
I had not heard this yet (a little behind) and I find this ridiculous. I grew up on Reading Rainbow, and it always got me excited about reading works, particularly fiction. Reading is not about phonics, spelling and grammar--it's about being engaged…
Warning: This is a long and semi-rambling post.
Linda (and Joe) I have to say I'm not fond of the junk food analogy. I would never equate any of the pop fiction/YA novels with the classics, don't misunderstand, they are not at the same level. Howev…
Words Words Words,
and Inside Words by Janet Allen.
These invaluable tools, they have honestly changed the way I teach vocabulary.
I really think both are essential (I have become a disciple of Kelly Gallagher's Readicide. There is definite value in giving a student a book that the teacher has chosen. The idea that there is value in the book, whether or not you like it (and som…
yes, please.
I'm very interested to learn more about shelfari.
Thanks,
Phil
I read an ARC of "Catching Fire," which I don't like as much as "Hunger Games." Still, an excellent book: HG passes the Bechtel test (two female characters have a significant conversation about something other than a male), holds the interest of hig…
As the French would say, Plus ca' change, plus c'est la meme chose. (The more things change, the more that they stay they same.)
Foolishness rules again!
We watched a lot of PBS when I was growing up and I remember my delight in finding books read on the show at the local library. I can still hear Levar Burton's voice reading Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.
Speakeasy, the Wall Street Journal blog has…
"WHY, would I WANT to read a book if there's nothing in it for me?!"
...
Hm. I think the phrase I'm looking for here is.... EPIC FAIL.
... and right now, the money is in "how to read" rather than "why to read."
Don't kid yourself...this is about money more than anything else.
Oh my goodness this is so sad. I can't imagine how many hours of my childhood were spent exploring books with LEVar Burton (aka Geordi of Star Trek: The Next Generation!) I know I'll have the show's theme stuck in my head for the rest of the day:
B…
"...but given dept. constraints, I'm not sure I can get away with this."
I know exactly how you feel. I think that's a fear we all have. One of the reasons I've wavered on the issue is I thought (or was talked into thinking) that I wasn't doing enou…
Profile Information
- Where do you work?
- High School in Gresham OR
- Choose all that apply to your job
- High School English Teacher
- What are you reading?
- Fun: The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons. Academic: Teaching with the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen
- How do you define your role/work?
- Guiding 9th and 12th graders through english using a constructivist perspective.
Phil Huff's Blog
NPR has posted chapter 2 of 'Catching Fire', the sequel to 'The Hunger Games'.
To tantalize us, NPR has posted chapter 2 of Suzanne Collins novel Catching Fire
I seriously can't wait, this is, hands down the best book I read last year.
Enjoy.
I seriously can't wait, this is, hands down the best book I read last year.
Enjoy.
Posted on August 26, 2009 at 9:30am — 3 Comments
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 5:39am on August 28, 2009,
Carrie said…
- Thanks for your reply to my question in the SSR thread. Another question: When you say "60 minutes for academic reading," would that include all novel-related, (or play-related, short story-related, etc.) activities? In reflecting, I realize my planning last year was driven by what book we were reading and what I wanted to do with it. Everything else revolved around that. I know I want to get away from that model, but not lose the good stuff I did with literature. Your planning by minutes has given me a lot to think about!
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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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