how to teach a middle school literature course

Even so, discussion about course texts is not the only vehicle to allow students to teach literary genres. Here are a few ideas to make practice engaging when teaching literary genres: 1. Play 3 Truths and a Lie. Have each student write 4 statements about genres on a piece of paper, three being truths, and one being a lie.

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What are the best resources for middle school literature?

Because of our fondness for great literature we have gathered a number of wonderful resources to share with you our Ultimate Guide to Middle School Literature: Amos Fortune: Literature Project – After reading Amos Fortune, assign this simple project to help your middle schooler learn to analyze the themes from the book.

Why Teach classic literature in the middle school years?

During the middle school years students will begin to ask more questions and think critically about the information they are learning. This is the perfect time to introduce children to classic literature and a variety of literary genres.

How do I teach literature to college students?

To teach literature to college students, you will need to incorporate strategies that work at the college level, find ways to maintain a positive class environment, develop a teaching strategy that is comfortable for you, and design a course that meets your department’s requirements.

What is teaching multicultural literature for middle grades?

TEACHING MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE: A Workshop for the Middle Grades explores a wide range of works, instructional strategies, and resources. In eight one-hour videos, teachers from across the country model approaches that make multicultural literature meaningful for students in grades five to eight.

How do you teach literature to middle school students?

Begin with texts they're familiar with. For middle schoolers, use comic books, song lyrics, or even kid's magazines. With high schoolers, try popular song lyrics, blog posts, or short stories/novellas that lead to movies. These familiar texts will help bring your students into literature without as much drama.

What is the best way to teach literature in class?

One way to motivate your students to do the readings and come to class ready to discuss them is to give daily reading quizzes. You can either create simple short answer quizzes or assign writing prompts that will test your students' knowledge of the reading. Give these quizzes at the beginning of every class.

What are the main teaching methods in teaching literature?

There are six approaches in the teaching of literature. They are the (1) Language-Based Approach, (2) Paraphrastic Approach, (3) Information-Based Approach, (4) Personal-Response Approach, (5) Moral-Philosophical Approach, and (6) Stylistic Approach.

How do you teach literature to students?

Practical Strategies for Teaching ReadingDedicate classroom time for reading every single day.Allow children to self-select their books.Ensure students have a plan for what they will be reading and why.Teach children that reading preferences are okay but that they should also explore new topics.

How can I make my literature class interesting?

Here are a few tips to waking them up.Bring literature to life. Have the students perform the story they are reading. ... Have the students create artwork. ... Play games. ... Assign the students to be Teacher for the Day. ... Write it out. ... Laugh a lot. ... Participate in the above activities!More items...•

What are the 10 elements of literature?

A literary element refers to components of a literary work (character, setting, plot, theme, frame, exposition, ending/denouement, motif, titling, narrative point-‐of-‐view).

How do you introduce literature?

Presenting Literature Review in the Introduction and Discussion SectionsIntroduce the topic.Establish the significance of the study.Provide an overview of the relevant literature.Establish a context for the study using the literature.Identify knowledge gaps.Illustrate how the study will advance knowledge on the topic.

What are the modern methods to teach English literature?

4 New Methods of Teaching English in the Modern ClassroomTask-based Approach. Traditional curriculum design and class planning revolved around the topics considered useful for students. ... Project-based Approach. ... Lexical Syllabus. ... Using Smartphones in the Classroom.

How can I teach English literature?

When teaching English through literature, some of the group activities used in language classroom are general class discussion, small-group work, panel discussions, and debates. All of these group activities both develop the speaking abilities of the students and give importance to pronunciation practice.

What are the 5 methods of teaching?

The 5 Best Teaching Methods I Used This YearStudent-Centered Discussions. I admit that I do enjoy being the "sage on the stage" in my classroom, but I realize that this does little to engage my students in deep thinking. ... Making Connections. ... Increased Autonomy. ... Building Relationships. ... A Focus on Literacy.

What are the modern methods to teach English literature?

4 New Methods of Teaching English in the Modern ClassroomTask-based Approach. Traditional curriculum design and class planning revolved around the topics considered useful for students. ... Project-based Approach. ... Lexical Syllabus. ... Using Smartphones in the Classroom.

What three things that would make literature class successful why?

Cultural model--by which student learn about several cultural and ideologies other than their own, 2. language model-- where students learn to use language and vocabulary, etc. 3., personal growth model--where learners learn to engage with the text to enjoy reading pleasure.

How do you engage students in English literature class?

5 Proven Ways to Engage Students in Great LiteratureBe Prepared. Before you ever mention a book to your students, know it well yourself. ... Make It Real. ... Make It Personal. ... Make It Project-Based. ... Be Creative. ... Author Bio:

How do you introduce literature?

Presenting Literature Review in the Introduction and Discussion SectionsIntroduce the topic.Establish the significance of the study.Provide an overview of the relevant literature.Establish a context for the study using the literature.Identify knowledge gaps.Illustrate how the study will advance knowledge on the topic.

How to determine a child's lexile level?

Lexile levels are determined by analyzing portions of a book. This formula looks at the sentence length and vocabulary used in the book. Sometimes it can vary greatly from the grade level measurement. On this list below GL stands for grade level and LL stands for lexile level. I found that looking at both measures were helpful in choosing reading books at an appropriate level. Children’s lexile levels can vary, but these are the levels of the middle 50th percentile for each grade,as reported by Lexile.com. 25% of kids will have lower lexile levels and 25% will have higher lexile levels.

What is the lexile level of a child?

Children’s lexile levels can vary, but these are the levels of the middle 50th percentile for each grade,as reported by Lexile.com. 25% of kids will have lower lexile levels and 25% will have higher lexile levels. 6th grade: 665-1000. 7th grade: 735-1065. 8th grade: 805-1100.

What is multicultural literature?

In the broadest sense, “multicultural literature” can refer to works that deal with issues of race, gender, class, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and nationality. This workshop features literature by and about North American authors of color. Pedagogy.

Why do teachers use literature in social justice workshops?

In these workshops, teachers use the literature to prompt students to examine issues of social justice . Related activities help students recognize the power of their voices and their roles as active citizens who can effect change.

How many hours are there in the multicultural literature videos?

In eight one-hour videos, teachers from across the country model approaches that make multicultural literature meaningful for students in grades five to eight. As units unfold over time, students engage in critical discussions of race, class, and social justice that inspire action for change. The featured teachers, along with leading educators, provide reflection and commentary throughout the programs. Authors share information about their writings through interviews and classroom visits.

How many parts are in a teacher workshop?

Throughout the eight-part workshop, teachers draw on a range of pedagogical approaches and strategies. While these frequently overlap, workshops are organized in pairs, highlighting the featured approach.

What is inquiry based approach to teaching?

These workshops highlight an inquiry-based approach to teaching. Students take the lead in determining the projects they will take on, how and what they will investigate, and how they will present what they’ve learned.

Who is the author of Workshop 2?

Workshop 2. Engagement and Dialogue: Judith Ortiz Cofer and Nikki Grimes. The program begins with a profile of the writer Judith Ortiz Cofer and then moves to Vista, California, where Akiko Morimoto and her eighth-grade students read short stories by Ortiz Cofer.

What is the purpose of a cultural workshop?

These workshops emphasize exploration of historical and cultural context as a way to promote deeper understanding of the literature. They feature activities with strong interdisciplinary connections.

What can literature students study?

In addition to completing English and literature courses, students could study topics such as teaching methods and techniques, theories in learning and teaching, educational evaluation and lesson planning. Prospective literature teachers should also complete student teaching requirements.

What is literature teacher?

Literature teachers instruct middle, high school and college students in the appreciation and interpretation of published works. At the lower grade levels, literature classes often include reading and fundamental composition instruction. While teaching is often a rewarding field, teachers are sometimes called upon to motivate disinterested students or deal with those showcasing a lack of respect, which can be stressful.

How much do middle school teachers make?

Knowledge of education instruction software. Once a position is obtained, middle school teachers can expect a median annual salary of $58,600; high school teachers can expect about $60,320; and postsecondary English language and literature teachers can expect a median annual salary of $66,590.

What is a masters in education?

Schools generally offer two different types of master's degree programs. One type of program, the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), is typically designed for individuals who have an undergraduate degree in an area other than teaching and who are seeking initial teaching licensure. The second type of program is the Master of Education (M.Ed.), which is generally offered only to licensed teachers who are pursuing a master's degree.

What degree do you need to become a teacher?

Earn a Master's Degree. Some states require that middle and high school teachers earn a master's degree after obtaining teacher certification. Schools generally offer two different types of master's degree programs.

What are the skills required to be a teacher?

Instructional and communication skills; patience; use of education instruction software and email programs; ability to operate classroom and basic office equipment

Do teachers need continuing education?

Teachers are also expected to complete continu ing education classes to maintain licensure. Teachers usually need to take professional development courses to keep their licensure active.

Why is literature important in history?

The literature can help your student better understand the historical events, and the history study provides context for the book. Instead of just memorizing dates and places or trying to figure out theme and imagery, it all works together to form a larger picture.

Is literature created in a vacuum?

This makes sense: literature is not created in a vacuum. It’s a product of the thoughts and events of the time in which it’s written. Even historical fiction – novels written about another point in time, such as the Battle of Troy or the Civil War – is written in part from the viewpoint of the author.

How to teach literature to college students?

To teach literature to college students, you will need to incorporate strategies that work at the college level, find ways to maintain a positive class environment, develop a teaching strategy that is comfortable for you, and design a course that meets your department’s requirements. Steps.

How to teach close reading?

Try to pick one passage per class or invite a student to pick one passage per class and focus on it for 15 to 20 minutes.

How to motivate students to do readings?

One way to motivate your students to do the readings and come to class ready to discuss them is to give daily reading quizzes. You can either create simple short answer quizzes or assign writing prompts that will test your students' knowledge of the reading. Give these quizzes at the beginning of every class.

How does wikihow mark an article as reader approved?

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.

How to improve your knowledge of pedagogy?

You can improve your knowledge of pedagogy and what works for teaching literature by attending conferences and by reading articles about teaching literature. Try to view presentations and read articles that connect with the texts you are teaching.

How to teach difficult skills?

1. Use scaffolding to teach difficult skills. Scaf folding is when you teach students to do something that is one level beyond their abilities and then support them through the task. The students should develop mastery over the skill after practicing it a few times and then you can remove the support.

What is teaching philosophy?

A teaching philosophy communicates your goals and values as a teacher. Creating a teaching philosophy may even help you to develop your teaching skills, so it is a good idea to write out your teaching philosophy even if you do not need to. Most teaching philosophies include: your ideas about teaching and learning.

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