Kids like talking. Kids have opinions. Kids like talking about their opinions. But have them brainstorm about a topic for an essay or a project and they stare at you blankly and mumble "ah-uh-no." In this session, Skip Olson - second runner up of the 67th annual "Is It a Pumpkin or a Baby?" contest of Humboldt County in 1992 - will be your guide on how to get kids from weak, spoon-fed, intermittent drops to a torrential downpour of ideas (or maybe just a nice shower which, according to any Midwesterner, is something we could always use). Come for the strategies, stay for the increasingly bad puns.
Come learn about how a rural English teacher brought a True Crime podcast into her curriculum and enhanced her students ability to openly discuss their opinions, accurately research, work as a team, and create their own podcasts.
We will share our experience delving into the Science of Reading at the secondary level. Participants will experience a structured literacy lesson and leave with resources for rigorous, low prep routines to build reading skills. This is a session for ALL teachers of ALL grade levels. No prior experience necessary!
