Check out my new Mandala Project:
The Universal Mandala Project


This project combines the universal symbolism of the mandala with a creative way to represent the novel that your students are working on. 
The mandala in this project is divided into ten sections, but mandalas are often divided into eight or four. You can change your divisions to fit your project. Just keep it symmetrical (an even number). I’ve left the project as a word document so that you can alter it to fit your class.

In the same way that the symbol of the mandala is universal, this project is universally applicable to any text. I used it with The Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Teen by: Sean Covey, but it would also work with the hero’s journey in The Odyssey, the parts of the plot in “The Most Dangerous Game”, or the sequence of events in “Casey at the Bat”. The Mandala is the circle of life with a beginning and an end—all pieces of literature have this. 
I’ve included some pictures from our class project, and I would love for you to post some of your mandalas on my blog: http://thecrazyenglishteacher.blogspot.com/

Learning Stations are the way to go

Use learning stations in your final days of school to keep up their energy levels.

This is an engaging and entertaining formative assessment. With a little preparation and careful instructions, students can rotate through several novel based activities with simply a “rotate” from the teacher every 9-10 minutes.

Using stations with older students creates interest and adds engagement to any lesson. A student that was previously listless will sit up and take notice when asked to work as a team to accomplish several tasks in a timely manner. The stations are fast moving and usually produce a product. Upper level students enjoy the fast pace and high interest of station work. This activity takes a little planning, but when in process the educational component becomes a student driven learning experience.

Learning stations require a little preparation. Read the station instructions for the necessary supplies: markers, construction paper, computer paper, scissors, glue sticks, laptop or Smartboard, tape. Each one varies. If a station requires extra items I will note it with an asterisk at the bottom of the page.

Before beginning a session of stations I ask the students to leave any personal items on the outside edges of the room. I tell them that they will rotate in a clockwise direction when I give the call to switch. Walk around to each station and give a brief synopsis of what will go on. Let students know that anything they make should be taken with them to the next station. They should straighten up their current station before moving on.  This learning structure really lets the teachers become the facilitator and the student becomes the creator. It’s that 80% vs. 20% relationship that we all strive for.

Check out some of my learning stations:

Romeo and Juliet Literacy Stations

Poetry Stations for Middle School and High School

Night :Novel Learning Stations

How to survive the end of the year

Well, the end of the school year is fast approaching. My students are getting that glazed look in their eye that tells me they are thinking more about the beach(we live on the coast) than coordinating conjunctions. Excitement is in the air for freshmen, and the seniors have this sad teary eyed look. I can't tell if they are excited to jump out into the world, or if they are scared to death.

It's getting increasing more difficult to harness their attention. We had a full moon last week, and the craziness of the moon--plus spring fever almost did me in. So, it's time to re-evaluate the situation and go back in to battle armed with more than a piece of gum and suspension.

I'm paying closer attention to the length of my assignments and lessons. If I have them in the palm of my hand we will keep on truckin' through that last act of Romeo and Juliet. However, if I notice eyes start to wonder, mouths start to move, and attention start to stray; I'll shift into second gear and we will move swiftly into another highly engaging lesson.

My method of presentation will also stay limber as I work to keep their shifting eyes on the page at hand. I will mix up text with, audio, visual, and tactile exercises. Act I of Romeo and Juliet last week was capped with a video clip from the video, a demonstration of how to age your love letter assignment, and sprinkled with props from my closet for the readers to wear.

Movement will take center stage as we get closer to the end. I had my students stand up with their books to read their  parts in Romeo and Juliet last week. The front of the room became Verona, and they were walking around in it. They need to stay active to stay engaged.

I've have several tricks up my sleeve for next week. A sword fight will take place, we will venture into the capulet tomb, and we will stand on our chairs and play spelling elimination for a finale.

I think we are going to make---scratch that--We will soar above it.

The Crazy English Teacher is Joining TPT for a Massive Sale!

Happy Birthday Shakespeare!

In honor of the bards birthday, I'm hosting a huge - store-wide sale. Everything is 10% off ( including my bundle of learning stations that was already a great deal. This is a great time to take advantage of my new products. The sale will only run two days- so enjoy. And to dear old Willy-- Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

Celebrate Poetry Month with the Crazy English Teacher

Look for multiple posts this week to celebrate Poetry Month. I will highlight several of my favorite poetry product, offer exciting tips for teaching poetry, and send freebie lessons out to people that follow me on your email. Send me a short note on the contact form to the right to let me know that you have clicked to follow me on email- and I'll send you a freebie out lickety- split :) .

Here is a link to my top overall seller: Poetry Stations for High School Students. It is a set of interactive lessons that students cycle through every 10-12 minutes . They love creating poetry in this fast paced enviroment. They learn so much, and all you have to do is set up. Poetry stations

Why I love Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers has given my teaching style new vitality. I was very comfortable in what I was doing, year to year, class to class. My students did well, and I was comfortable. I was satisfied. Then Teachers Pay Teachers came along and piqued my interest.

It gave me a reason to create new products, to think , to innovate, to design. It not only gave me a reason, but also a reward (money). This came at a time when all of my colleagues were looking for a second job, and our frozen salaries were actually moving backward because of increasing health care premiums.

I have become a better teacher--constantly looking for new methods and refining old ones. I have become a better collaborator--sharing new lessons and ideas with my colleagues as I create them. I am no longer satisfied--I'm hungry --hungry for new ideas. This is the time of innovation and creation. I've never felt so creative in my life.

I thank Teachers Pay Teachers for that.

Sincerely ,
The Crazy English Teacher

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