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Text Book Review: Less is More

Posted by Carolyn on February 18, 2016 1 Comment

This is the first in a new series of reviews of textbooks for educators.  In this review, I write about the text book for English teachers – Less is More, written by Kimberly Hill Campbell (available here and here). 

My initial reaction to Less is More by Kimberly Hill Campbell was excitement and agreement.  When I was an undergraduate English major, I often chose short story classes for my requirements.  I knew that I wasn’t a very fast reader, so taking multiple novel courses wasn’t a wise option for me.  Reading Campbell’s text gave me insight to my own learning as well as giving ideas for my own teaching.  I have never been a struggling reader, but I certainly connected to short texts more easily than longer texts.  Campbell’s assertion that a student can learn all the same skills and themes rang true to me.  It was eye-opening to me to read, “A short story… invites readers to look closely, to dig deep.  Unlike longer works… the brevity of short stories supports a level of scrutiny that enables students to develop their skills as literary analysts” (35).  I always felt like I was lazy to prefer short stories, but Campbell has changed my thinking on that.  An in-depth study of a short story teaches the same skills, and has the same power as an in-depth study of a novel or longer work.

In Less is More, Campbell presents ways to study many different types of short writing.  One of the most interesting ‘light bulb moments’ for me was in the section on essays.  She writes about how we require students to write countless five paragraph essays, but that type of essay is rarely seen in the real world.  We also rarely teach the art of reading essays, which would naturally feed into being able to successfully craft an essay.  I have taught non-fiction texts, but have never framed them as essays with the purpose for teaching essay writing (besides showing previous student essays as examples).  The section on essays reminded me of my college intro writing classes, and how we often read essays as examples, and how that was a beneficial experience for me.  I am inspired to bring more essays into my classroom after reading this text.

Kimberly Hill Campbell presents many ways in which reading short texts can be implemented in the classroom.  One of the ways that Campbell presents her classroom is that it is a community of learners.  I know that this can really change how students react to their learning experience.  Providing students with short texts can really help foster the sense of community since each student can connect to the texts, and have the chance to share their connections.

Less is More is a book about using short texts in a middle or high school language arts classroom.  Campbell describes how she has used short stories, essays, memoirs, poems, children’s books, and graphic novels in her classrooms to teach literary analysis, reading skills, and to support writing goals.  While this book would be most useful to language arts/English teachers, there are ideas that would also be useful to teachers of other subjects as it provides ways to access various types of texts, and styles of writing.  Campbell has been a middle and high school English teacher, as well as a professor and mentor in an Education graduate program.

Campbell organized her book into eight chapters – two of which act as an introduction and explanation of her philosophy that short texts can be useful in the classroom.  In her classroom, she noticed that the “common response to longer texts was an intense dislike for the text – a dislike that grew in intensity the longer we worked with the text” (3).  This idea drives the rest of the book and all the topics she covers in the following six chapters.  The rest of the book is comprised of six chapters that give examples of how she has used each category of short text – Short Stories, Essays, Memoirs, Poems, Children’s Literature and Picture Books, and Graphic Novels – in her classrooms.   Within the chapters, Campbell explains the importance of each type of text, as well as providing detailed examples of how she used each type in her classroom.  She also includes lists of sample texts and their pedagogical uses.  This aspect of the organization is particularly helpful.  In each section of each chapter, Campbell provides a table that shows not only titles of texts, but also where it can be found, and other examples of how they can be useful to instruction, such as ‘sensory detail (84),’ ‘writing craft to explore (66),’ ‘topic (190).’  The tables are well organized and easy to read, thus they are easy to use.  Her lists of stories and texts are helpful, extensive, well-rounded and inspiring in each chapter.  Additionally, at the end of each chapter, Campbell has included detailed works cited lists, as well as lists of recommended resources that support the teaching of each style presented.

The chapter on using short stories was particularly useful and interesting.  “A short story… invites readers to look closely, to dig deep.  Unlike longer works… the brevity of short stories supports a level of scrutiny that enables students to develop their skills as literary analysts” (35).  Campbell argues that by using short texts, a teacher is providing a “way into literature” (2) for students who have resisted working with longer texts such as novels and plays.  She argues that “virtually all the literature elements used in novels can be analyzed more easily and efficiently with short stories, in a way that includes the varied readers in today’s classrooms” (43).  In this chapter, Campbell goes on to provide specific examples of how she has used short stories to encourage literary analysis and to support state writing goals.  Within the chapter, it is organized by literary device with ideas on how to use short stories to teach each device to students.  She presents examples of stories that use each element – character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme – and ideas of how to use these stories to teach the elements.  The examples are clearly explained and would be interesting and easy to implement based on her descriptions.  Beyond that, the chapter also addresses how a teacher could use these stories to support instruction on writing in the classroom.

Less is More would be a great addition to any middle or high school teacher’s library.  It is full of real, implementable examples for adding short texts to curriculum to encourage and teach important skills in literary analysis and writing in a wide variety of styles.  Campbell’s writing style is clear and engaging.  Her examples are pertinent, realistic and thorough.  Not only is this book an instruction manual of sorts – giving ideas of how to teach certain literary topics and ideas – it is also a wonderful reference source with lists of sources, texts, and ideas of how to use them.

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Posted in: book review, CHOOSE, learned., text book review, writing | Tagged: book review, learning, life of a teacher, reading, teaching, text book review, writing

A Letter of Admiration for Middle Schoolers

Posted by Carolyn on February 23, 2015 5 Comments

20141020_083044Dear Middle Schoolers,

I think you’re awesome.  I know that you might not care what I – a stay at home mom/ substitute teacher – think of you, but I just wanted to say it.  I get to spend most of my days with my two little tiny daughters.  I love my job at home with them.  But, I also get to spend a few days a week with you guys.  I have to tell you that I look forward to these days so much.  That is because you’re awesome.  You are caring.  You are bright.  You are funny. You are going to change our world.

20140418_142103When I get to step into your classroom, your turf, you welcome me with such enthusiasm. It is such a joy to walk down your halls and hear you tell me how happy you are that I’m there, or ask whose room I’m in.  You make me feel like part of the team, part of your team.  I love when you ask me about my kids, or tell me you saw me somewhere.  I love seeing you out in public, and seeing the moment of recognition on your face.  Seeing a teacher in public is strange (I remember), and I’m always so impressed with you when you take the time to say hello, or introduce me to your parents.

20140417_104931Having you care about me warms my heart, but seeing you care about each other makes it soar.  Bullying is a big thing in middle schools.  Always has been, probably always will be.  You are trying on different personalities, some good, some bad.  You will make mistakes and treat others poorly, and most of you will learn from it.  This is a time in your lives that you should be given some space to make these mistakes, after all, you are still children.  But, you are also becoming adults, so after you’ve made your mistakes, it is time to learn how to own up to them, and figure out how to make things right.

20140416_145602Every time I’m in your schools, I see you do this.  I see someone care for someone else. You are learning so much more than the Common Core, or the state standards.  You are learning how to be adults.

20140408_133406I love subbing in your schools, because it’s so much fun to see you learn.  You are at an age that you can read a novel, or a memoir, or an article, and have a well-informed discussion about the texts.  You are thinking on a deep level, adding inquiry to your conversations.  Your brains are soaking things up, your hearts are pumping ideas, and your mouths are sharing your ideas, opinions, questions, and realizations with each other.  You are all so bright, and intelligent, and you are all trying so hard.  And that’s what’s important.

20140320_134812I have so much fun when I am in your classrooms.  You constantly crack me up, even when I know I should be serious.  You are at such a fun age, an age when you really develop a sense of humor, and timing.  I know that I can give you a hard time sometimes, and that you will give it right back to me.  You are incredibly random, and that cracks me up.  You make of strange names for me, for no other reason than to let me know that you think I’m cool.

20141106_121005I have heard that some adults don’t really like you.  They think you’re rude, uninterested, self-absorbed, disrespectful.  I think they just don’t get you.  They don’t understand that you are becoming who you are, and that takes a bit of work.  I see that you are interested, and interesting.  If there is a cause that you believe in, I guarantee that there is no one who will work harder to achieve a goal than you will.  You have the tenacity, the motivation, and the energy of a hundred adults when it comes to something you believe in.  You seriously could change the world.   You seriously will.

20140501_123654I wanted you to know that, for whatever it’s worth, you are respected, admired, encouraged, and loved.  I think you’re awesome. I can’t wait to see what you do with our little world.

20140425_130224In Gratitude,

Mrs. Williams (or Carolyn)

20140930_133542

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Posted in: gave thanks., learned. | Tagged: admiration, gratitude, kids, learning, middle school, subbing, substitute teaching, teaching

Rainbow Magic Milk

Posted by Carolyn on July 17, 2014 Leave a Comment

My old preschool teacher posted a video of this on Facebook, so I thought we should try it.  I mean, hey, she never steered me wrong in the past!  (PS I love that my old preschool teacher is my friend on Facebook).

I saw the video while checking Facebook while the girls ate breakfast.  I pulled out the ‘ingredients’ then and there.  Why the heck not!?

Here’s what you need:

  • Plate, it has to be deep enough to hold a good layer of milk
  • Milk
  • Food coloring
  • Dish soap

Pour a good amount of milk in your plate – when I first tried it, I don’t think I had enough milk, and it didn’t work as well.  You want enough that the food coloring and dish soap can sort of float on the top.

Add drops of food coloring.

Add small drops of dish soap, and watch the colors spread and dance.  It’s really fascinating!

We used this as an opportunity to talk about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors as they blended and mixed.  Just kidding, that’s crazy.

We actually just used this as an opportunity to be amazed and have fun.  Cause that’s what childhood is.

So cool.  Thanks for the continuing preschool education, Mrs. Jones!

Do I need to add that you shouldn’t drink this milk?  No, I don’t think I need to add that.   Right?

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Posted in: a little moment, art, learned. | Tagged: art, color, colors, learned, learning, magic milk, preschool crafts, rainbow milk

Summer 2014 Bucket List

Posted by Carolyn on June 11, 2014 2 Comments

Being a parent these days is hard.  It is because everyone is so good at being parents.  In the world of Pinterest, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, we are able to see all the amazing things that everyone else is doing.  And we are all obviously doing it all so well.  Or at least that’s the vision of ourselves that we are trying to project.

I have been thinking about making a summer to do list.  After a quick Pinterest search, I saw what I’m supposed to do.  I’m supposed to create an ‘invitation to play’ everyday for my kids – some activity that I set up that encourages creativity and independence.  I’m supposed to make beautiful and creative meals that encourage my kids to eat only organic vegetables.  I’m supposed to make sure Alma learns how to write her name before pre-school in the fall – and can do that with organized home school activities everyday at home.  I’m supposed to take my girls on educational outings that they will enjoy without tantrums or naps.

Umm.  I’m not going to do that.

I mean, I might do some of that, but if I do, it will mostly be an accident.  I don’t have time, nor do I see the value in doing such perfectly planned things.  I’m not perfect, and I don’t plan on setting perfect expectations.  That seems like a perfect way to fail.

I’d rather set some goals that I know will be fun and easy.

I know that I can do these things.  No pressure.

I think I can get to the end of my days happy that I did these things.  I think I can get to the end of the summer happy that I gave these things to myself and my girls.  And if Alma learns to write her name along the way, that’s cool too.

What are you doing this summer?

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Posted in: learned., parented. | Tagged: bucket list, learning, Parenting, summer 2014, Summer list
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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