End of Year Lessons

[engteach219]

I teach the advanced sophomore english class. They are working on research papers, but I need another lesson to take me to the end of the year (May 28) Does anyone have any suggestions??

[Boxcar]

What about personal narratives? Have them read one by an author before writing thier own. You probably want to give them - and yourself - a little bit of a break after doing the research papers. Remember, you will be grading a lot of papers. That is time consuming. Reading something about your students might be a nice break and be enjoyable for them to write.

[engteach219]

Well...my students will be writing research papers for the remainder of the 9 weeks. Rough drafts are due next week and then I will collect their final drafts. I didn't want them to be writing too much right now, but instead maybe reading something more enjoyable so they could work on their papers at home.
I like the idea, but it may be a lot of writing and they may get a little angry with me, haha. :rofl:

[MeganC]

I don't teach English, but what about having them design a sort of patchwork quilt over books they have read throughout the year? It may require funds out of your own pocket, but if you get the fabric, they can draw pictures (like make their own covers for the different books) and those can be scanned and then printed with an inkjet printer onto paper that can be ironed onto the pieces of fabric (make sure you reverse the picture direction on your printer setting so it doesn't print backwards) and then the pieces can be fitted together.

It would give them a hands on project to work on that would keep them busy without making them write and would also give them an opportunity to talk about the different books they have encountered over the school year.

[Brit]

how many will be getting summer jobs? how about cover letters and resumes?

[Boxcar]

Ah, I see. No writing.

I think I'm a little out of my area of expertise here. So, I'll let the others take over.

BTW, I think the quilt is an awesome idea.

[upnorthteacher]

I always end my English classes with demonstration speeches. Not much writing, but they do need to do some thinking and planning. Watching the speeches the last few days of class doesn't create too much work for me or them. I just complete the rubrics as they go, put the scores in my gradebook, and enjoy!

[Boxcar]

I think that is an excellant idea. Demonstration speeches can be a lot of fun!

[engteach219]

Demonstration speeches sounds interesting.
What kind of requirements and things do you put on the rubrics? What do you expect of them?

[upnorthteacher]

We start by planning the steps and writing down all materials needed. I require at least 6 steps, but recommend that they don't have more than ten. They are required to bring every item needed and to practice at home. The speeches should be 2-5 minutes long, and they use notecards. I have them practice looking at the audience while speaking-this is hard for some of them when they are doing something with their hands. The rubric includes time requirement, eye contact, volume & enunciation, clear steps explained, all materials necessary brought to class.