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Secondary English Weekly #1

VOLUME THREE, ISSUE ONE /September 7-11, 2020

SecondaryEnglish Weekly #1VOLUME THREE, ISSUE ONE /September 7-11, 2020
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BRIGHT SPOTS

The beginning of this school year is atypical. We know that our current parameters for teaching and learning are not ideal. This version of remote learning is NEW for everyone. Spending time at the beginning of the year with your students building relationships, exploring StudySync, Bedford/Launchpad (Honors/AP) and CCS tools (Clever, Google Classroom, etc.), establishing/creating norms together, and getting used to your daily/weekly schedule will pay off for both you and your students as we progress through the English content. Here are three bright spots to think about as we roll out SY 2020-21.


  • For the first time in over 10 years, you have new, standard-aligned secondary English curricular resources (StudySync for English 6-12; Bedford/Launchpad for Honors/AP)! These adopted curricular resources have the added bonus of making the transitions between teaching face-to-face, remotely, blended seamless.
  • The newly adopted materials provide opportunities for students to read, write about, and discuss complex, grade level texts even if they are not reading on grade level due to built-in scaffolding.
  • There is a bit of fun around making bitmoji or other virtual classrooms. Your creativity has had a chance to shine as you outfitted your "new" teaching space with physical props to be used during zoom lessons or chose some fun, non-curricular digital tools such as the Wheel of Names (randomly selects a student) that can make your virtual classroom a lively place to be. Some of you even reached out to me for a digital version of the Classroom Mission poster to post in your virtual classrooms. Here it is for anyone else who wants to "post" it: Read, Write, and Discuss Every Day! It is also linked to the poster in this story and at the bottom of the newsletter.


You have the ability to set the tone for this school year for your classes and that tone will be enhanced by the joy of seeing student faces after such a long time without any contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions I get asked most often with their answers.


Why are there so many classes in StudySync and how can I tell them apart inside StudySync when I am choosing a target class for an assignment?

After you click the McGraw Hill SSO Icon in Clever, and before you launch the StudySync App, you will see classes from this year and last year. The classes from last year will be there through part of September because 4th quarter from last year has to be kept open in IC due to the extension of SY19-20. This year's classes are marked with X and Y. The X classes are for first semester and are the ones you should be using now. The Y classes are for second semester. After you launch any of the classes to get onto StudySync, you may notice that the classes all have the same name when you are trying to choose a "target" class when assigning a lesson, reading, blast, etc. This can be very confusing. Follow this guide to change the names of your classes so that they will show up differently inside StudySync to make choosing a "target" for your assignments easier: StudySync-How to Change Course Names


How do I link my Google Classroom in StudySync?

When you are on StudySync and click on your name in the upper, right corner, you will find a dropdown menu. In the dropdown menu, select "Settings." Then, choose the final blade, "Google." There you will find a toggle button to sync your Google Classroom with StudySync. Use this video to understand the process for full integration of Google Classroom and StudySync: Google Integration Video. Students can use this student-facing tutorial: Linking Your StudySync Account with Google Classroom.


Why does it say I don't have access to the Curriculum Folders and Docs on the ELA 6-12 Website?

Due to proprietary items from our adopted resources this year, you will need to be logged into your CCS-credentialed Google account to open any of the curriculum maps, course folders, and course introduction pages that are in the newsletter and on the ELA 6-12 Webpage at the curriculum Quick Links: Curriculum/Instructional Resources 6-8, Curriculum/Instructional Resources 9-12.


How come I could launch StudySync/Launchpad yesterday, but today, I click and nothing happens?

The easy fix is to go to your browser and clear your cache. Also, you may need to allow pop-ups.

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THE CURRICULUM MAPS/COURSE FOLDERS

On the ELA 6-12 Webpage at the curriculum Quick Links (Curriculum/Instructional Resources 6-8, Curriculum/Instructional Resources 9-12), you will find all of the items for your course. NOTE: To access these, you must be logged into Google using your CCS credentials and not a personal account.

-What you find in the Curriculum Maps for English 6-12 from the district follows the thematic CORE ELA units in StudySync, but takes out a few of the readings in the Integrated Reading and Writing pathway to give you more time on the Extended Writing Projects.

-What you find in the Curriculum Maps for Honors follows the chapters in the adopted texts, but does a careful selection of readings/activities in the thematic or genre chapters to fit the time allotted in the grading periods and meet the rigor of an advanced course.

-The Curriculum Maps, as always, are a suggested pathway. You still have lots of autonomy and choice and may choose to substitute a reading or two in the Maps for a different one. You have complete choice when it comes to when to use novel studies. The suggestion for middle school is to read 3-4 novels each year and 4-5 per year in high school. StudySync provides guides for 2 different novels for each unit in middle school (12 total) and three per unit in high school (18 total), plus many more in the StudySync library. Bedford suggests several novels you can choose from for each of its thematic or genre-based chapters. For the novels in StudySync and Bedford that are aligned to the units, you will have most of them digitally, either in StudySync or in your Course Folder. You also still have access to novels in your buildings, warehouse, and curriculum office.


Here are some short videos to acclimate you to the new Curriculum Maps and show the correlation between the maps and the adopted digital resources.

Video Orientation to Curriculum Docs/Folders

Video-Using the Curriculum Maps with StudySync

Video-Using the Honors Curriculum Maps with Launchpad

Video-Using AP Pacing Guides with Launchpad


Here are links for the Curriculum Maps and Course Folders/Introduction Pages for your courses. Remember, you find these on the ELA 6-12 Webpage at the curriculum Quick Links (Curriculum/Instructional Resources 6-8, Curriculum/Instructional Resources 9-12).

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Columbus City Schools Resources for Secondary English

With the adoptions of StudySync and Bedford, many of the resources for Secondary English from past years were no longer needed and were not renewed. Others have been given to us for free this school year. You can see all of the Secondary English Resources with descriptions and access information here:

CCS Adopted, Supplemental, and Intervention Resources List


Don't forget, you still have access to all of the Google for Education Suite items, including Google Classroom.

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CLEVER INTEGRATION & COURSE NAMING

The Integration of StudySync and Launchpad with Clever for SY 2020-21 is complete if your classes have been loaded into Infinite Campus by your buildings. You will see classes from last year until later in September. This year's classes are marked with X and Y. The X classes are for first semester and are the ones you should be using now. The Y classes are for second semester. If you want to change the names of your classes in StudySync, follow this guide: StudySync-How to Change Course Names


-You will access StudySync via the Clever icon or http://clever.com/in/columbuscity and click on the McGraw Hill icon. Then, you will launch the StudySync App.

-To get to Launchpad (honors and AP) through Clever, click the Launchpad icon and click on the name of class/textbook.

-Using Chrome as your browser is suggested. Questions about the syncing and using Clever should be directed to Tim Wangler.


Here is the demo code for StudySync in case you have a co-teacher, building coach, or admin that wants to see the platform and they do not have a class aligned in Clever/IC.

DEMO: my.mheducation.com

UN: StudySync2021

PW: study2021


NOTE: HMH's Into Reading/Ed Your Friend is a K-5 product and should not be used for Grades 6-12. iReady is a testing tool for Grades 6-8 and is not to be used for curriculum.

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McGraw Hill StudySync Tutorials

There is a tutorial for everything! When you are in StudySync, you can get to the Help Center by clicking on your name at the top, right. In the dropdown menu, you select "Help Center." Then type in what you want to know about and it will populate the tutorials. Also, the speech icon in the lower, right gets you access to a live help desk during office hours.


Tutorials/Webinars/Office Hours/Upcoming PD

  • Monthly Webinars Topics include: Mirrors, Windows, & Doors: Equity & Diversity in the StudySync Library; Planning Assessments for Back-to-School; Supporting Students with IEPs Through Remote Learning)
  • StudySync Ask an Expert Opportunities (open office hours for admins and teachers)

    Teacher Sessions: 9/8, 9/17, 9,22, 10/1

    Admin Sessions: 9/10, 9/15, 9/24, 9/29


Some of the most popular tutorials and supporting documents are also linked below.

Student-Facing Tutorials

  1. How to Use Scaffolds with StudySync
  2. Linking Your StudySync Account with Google Classroom
  3. StudySync Mobile App - How to Find Your App Key & Set up the App
  4. How to Find a Text in the Library


Teacher-Facing Tutorials

  1. StudySync Walkthrough PDF
  2. Google Integration Video
  3. How to Change Course Names (relabeling your course in StudySync for clarity)
  4. Sub-Groups & Differentiation (video)
  5. Navigating a Student Account (video)
  6. Mimic a Student (video)
  7. Distance Learning: The Basics PDF
  8. Top 5 Ways to Engage Students Through Remote Learning PDF
  9. Tips for Creating Instructional Videos
  10. Small-Group Discussion Planning Document
  11. Facilitation Strategies for an Online Discussion
  12. Design a Three-Part Flipped Lesson
  13. Create and Customize an Assignment from a Core Unit (video)
  14. Create an Assignment from the Library (video)
  15. Create an Assignment for multiple classes (video)
  16. Edit an Assignment (video)
  17. Preview an Assignment (video)
  18. Deactivate an Assignment (video)
  19. Search for an Assignment (video)
  20. Copy an Assignment (video)
  21. View Inactive Assignments (video)
  22. View a Report of Student Work (video)
  23. Grade Student Work (video)
  24. StudySync Gradebook & Data Analysis (video)
  25. Navigating Digital Library (video)
  26. Culturally Relevant Instruction (video)
  27. Blasts in Detail (video)
  28. Create a Blast (video)
  29. Teaching a Blast – HS (video)
  30. Teaching a Blast – MS (video)
  31. Show a Blast with Live Data (video)


Parent-Facing Supports

  1. 6–12 Parent Support (video)
  2. English Parent Letter (PDF)
  3. Spanish Parent Letter (PDF)
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McGraw Hill StudySync Recorded Trainings from This Summer

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BEDFORD OVERVIEWS AND TRAINING/Tutorial LINKS

Overview Pages and Slideshows


Recorded Trainings/Slides and Follow-Up Letter from Summer


MORE Launchpad Trainings

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StudySync Teacher Editions

If you did not pick up a Volume One StudySync Teacher Edition this summer, please have your school's building book person request it from the Hudson Warehouse. The warehouse has sent out the student consumables (Reading and Writing Companion), but will send out the TEs based upon requests from the building since so many of you already picked them up. Volume Two of the TE will be automatically sent to the buildings from the warehouse.
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Honors and AP Teacher Editions

If you still need an honors or AP teacher edition, reach out to Carla Mae Phillips (cphillips3865) and she will work with the warehouse to get that delivered to you.
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English DEPARTMENT CHAIR LIST and MEETING DATES FOR 20-21

This year, middle and high school English Chairs will meet together. Below are the dates for the year to put into your calendar if you are serving in this role. If you are serving in this role and have not sent me a quick email letting me know, please do so:) (cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us)

According to the contract language, each grade level band (6-8 and 9-12) within a building is eligible to have a chair. The employee chosen for Department Chair would need to be part of CEA. This Activity Form needs to be completed by the employee and signed by the building principal, disregarding Part II on the form because there are no certifications required for Department Chair. The form gets sent to tcox1@columbus.k12.oh.us.


The 2020-21 Department Chair Meetings will happen on the 2nd Wednesday of each month with the exception of September’s meeting which will happen on the 3rd Wednesday due to the delayed opening of school.


Dates and Times*

September 16, 2020; 3:30-5:30pm

October 14, 2020; 3:30-5:30pm

November 11, 2020; 3:30-5:30pm

December 9, 2020; 3:30-5:30pm

January 13, 2021; 3:30-5:30pm

February 10, 2021; 3:30-5:30pm

March 10, 2021; 3:30-5:30pm

April 14, 2021; 3:30-5:30pm

May 12, 2021; 3:30-5:30pm


*Time may change for chair meetings that include chairs from K-8 buildings when the district makes the switch from virtual to face-to-face environments.

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UPDATING SECONDARY ENGLISH MAILING LIST

If you or someone you know needs to be added to the SECONDARY ENGLISH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER mailing list for the 2020-2021 SY because you/they will be teaching an English class in Grades 6-12 and did not last year, please send the name(s) to cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.
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Assessment Information for Columbus City Schools SY20-21

-In Grades 9-12, the Benchmark Assessments* in StudySync (three per grade level) are going to replace NWEA MAP/Reading Inventory testing for the BOY, MOY, and EOY. Teachers in Grades 6-8 will use iReady to replace NWEA MAP, but are free to use the Benchmark Assessments for their own classroom information. NOTE: iReady is NOT a curriculum tool for middle school. It is only being used for testing. The adopted curriculum resource is for middle school is StudySync.

-BOY, MOY, and EOY specific information will come from the testing department. When I am given that information, I will share it with you. The most recent testing calendar I do have from last March shows the BOY testing window as 9-8 through 9-30, the MOY from 12-2 through 1/24, and the EOY from 5/4-5/28.

-All Teachers in Grades 6-12 may use the StudySync Readiness Screener and Reading Comprehension Diagnostic at the beginning for the year. StudySync also has End-of-Unit Assessments in regular and EL forms, and offers SAT/ACT/State Test Preparation Assessments. Here is the entire suite of assessments that you have available to you in StudySync with a description of what they measure:

  • Readiness Screener for Each Grade Level
    • Readiness Screeners assess students’ preparedness on the previous grade-level’s standards-aligned skills and content. Teachers can use this assessment to determine student strengths as well as reteaching and remediation needs.
  • Reading Comprehension Diagnostic for Each Grade Level
    • The Reading Comprehension Diagnostic assesses students’ basic reading comprehension skills. Students are presented with two grade-level appropriate passages, each accompanied by 5 items focused on assessing text understanding.
  • Benchmarks for Each Grade Level (3 Forms at each grade level) * BOY, MOY, & EOY (9-12)
    • There are three Benchmark Assessments for each grade level. They have around 35 questions each and look like the OST. They contain literary and informational readings and paired readings with standard-aligned multiple choice, multi select, Part A/Part B, and drag and drop items. They can be assigned electronically and scored immediately.
    • Benchmark Assessments measure students’ progress toward standards mastery throughout the school year. Three assessment forms – to be delivered at the beginning of the school year, after the completion of Unit 2, and again after the completion of Unit 4 – provide a valid and reliable measure of students’ advancement. There are six units total in the program; each lasts 30-days. All of the ELA standards are taught by the end of Unit Four and that is why they are scheduled as noted above. However, since CCS is using them for the BOY, MOY, and EOY for 9-12th grade, they should be given during the windows set by the testing department.
  • State Test Preparation (3 Forms for Reading and 3 Forms Writing at each grade level)
    • The State Test Preparation assessments can be administered to students throughout the year, leading up to end-of year testing. Students’ growing mastery of the curriculum should result in increasing scores at each administration and determine student readiness for high-stakes testing.
  • End of Unit (6 for each grade level) / EL End of Unit (4 levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced High for 6 units at each grade level)
    • The End-of-Unit Assessment reports on the outcome of student learning. As students complete each unit of the reading program, they will be assessed on their understanding of key instructional content as well as their ability to write in response to prompts across a series of genres.
  • ACT English & ACT Reading (6 Forms)
    • The ACT Test Preparation assessments can be administered to students throughout the year, leading up to the high-stakes test. Students can use the results of this assessment to gain insight into their strengths and needs for further practice.
  • SAT (2 Forms)
    • The SAT Test Preparation assessments can be administered to students throughout the year, leading up to the high-stakes test. Students can use the results of this assessment to gain insight into their strengths and needs for further practice.
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teachingbooks tools

As you know, TeachingBooks is the tool that houses the lists of books we have in the warehouse and in the Secondary English Curriculum Office (TeachingBooks Tutorial). It also is a place to get additional novel and author resources. Here are some ideas TeachingBooks wanted to share with teachers since we are teaching remotely.


Upcoming TeachingBooks Webinars

Create and Share Lists on TeachingBooks Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 9CT
Organize booklists filled with resources to support instruction. Discover the many uses of lists in lessons, to promote titles, and to empower readers. Easily share with colleagues, families, and students. Register

Differentiate with Multi-leveled Lessons Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 9CT
Explore titles on TeachingBooks that have lessons designed to scaffold instruction and build connections to text in your differentiated classroom. Flexible enough to use for a whole-class read, read aloud titles, book groups, or independent reading. Register

Find the Perfect TeachingBooks Resource Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 9CT
Enjoy browsing and searching on TeachingBooks while discovering the perfect resources to meet your needs. We'll share advanced search techniques and locate resources in a variety of formats to reach students with different learning styles. Register

Enhance Independent Reading with TeachingBooks Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 9CT
Engage readers with resources to preview titles. Add to your reader's advisory bag of tricks. Register

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Newest Resources from the Ohio Department of Education

You can check out the latest tools from ODE for the Standards and OST in their Student Readiness Toolkit. Check it out HERE.
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Ohio Literary Trail

The Ohioana Library is delighted to introduce the Ohio Literary Trail, a new program that will shine the spotlight on Ohio’s unique role in shaping culture and literature worldwide. Ohioana compiled the trail map with more than 70 sites across the Buckeye state, paying tribute to the authors, poets, illustrators, libraries, and creative influencers of the written word who have called Ohio home.

The Ohio Literary Trail celebrates Ohio’s diversity through an eclectic range of literary greats who influenced feminism and women’s rights, Black history, religion, LGBTQ+ rights, and American culture through literature. Tourists planning a literary-themed outing, as well as Ohioans who want to discover literary treasures they never knew existed in their own backyard, will find it here: http://www.ohioana.org/resources/the-ohio-literary-trail/

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BANNED BOOK WEEK IDEAS (SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 3)

Here are some virtual ideas for Banned Books Week coming up later this month.

40 Virtual Programs

STUDYSYNC SYNCUP SYMPOSIUM: CREATING INCLUSIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS WITH DR. CATLIN TUCKER AND DR. MICHELLE MARTIN

Saturday, September 26th, 11:45am-3:15pm; Participate in sessions on remote learning, teacher presence, social and emotional learning, and more. REGISTRATION DETAILS


BONNIE CHAMBERS GRANT FOR 6TH GRADE TEACHERS

Recognizing the extraordinary challenges teachers face in the upcoming academic year 2020-21, a one-time $5,000.00 grant will be awarded to purchase books for K-6 students in an Ohio public school building. This Bonnie Chambers Grant is designed to help teachers who strongly promote the use of quality literature in their classrooms. Teachers will use the grant money to select and purchase their own book choices (fiction or non-fiction) dealing with understanding and coping with COVID, racism and equality issues, and/or mental health issues for children and their families.

Application Criteria

  • This grant is open to any* Ohio public school teacher(s) in grades K-6 who demonstrates a need for money in the purchasing of classroom books for their elementary building.
  • If a group of teachers apply, one teacher will apply on behalf of the building and serve as the contact teacher.
  • Need can be demonstrated through free-lunch ratios, recent school-levy results, extraordinary events, etc.

Applications are available and due by December 31, 2020.

Online Application I Print Application

Visit the Bonnie Chambers Grant page for more information: https://www.octela.org/awards/bonnie-chambers/


NCTE MEMBER BOOK GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is open to NCTE members who are secondary educators or librarians. One thousand members will receive a copy of the memoir, THE SUN DOES SHINE, by Anthony Ray Hinton, as well as two surprise YA titles. Please click on the link below to fill out the application form. Either your member ID or the email associated with your membership is required. The form will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 9, 2020. Recipients will be selected at random from the applications received. NCTE will notify recipients via email and confirm your mailing address. Contact Sarah Miller at smiller@ncte.org with any questions.


MINDFUL WRITING SERIES WITH ALEXANDRIA PEARY

It can be hard to stay in the now these days. We long for a time not long ago when our colleagues’ faces weren’t covered by masks and for a future day when our classrooms return to normalcy. This series will help teachers find calm and balance in the present.

In each session, participants will be invited to do a guided meditation and then an activity that combines writing with mindfulness, including loving-kindness meditation, yoga for hands, bowing to difficulty, and moment writing. As part of these restorative writing experiences, we will discuss mindfulness strategies for detachment, compassion for self and other, and openness to possibility. By writing in the moment, we can relax into the present and into ourselves. Please note: This series is NOT sequential. Feel free to join one, two, or all three sessions—whatever works with your schedule. Each date will be a unique time to get together and meet you where you are.

*Active membership in NCTE is required for participation. Not yet a member? Join us! www.join.ncte.org

Saturday, September 12 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Register

Saturday, September 19 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Register

Saturday, September 26 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Register


BEDFORD COMMUNITY FOR HONORS AND AP TEACHERS-JOIN BY SEPTEMBER 12 AND GET A FREE BOOK

As a member of the BFW Teaching Community, you have access to exclusive, free content such as webinars, course tours, correlation guides, whitepapers, and more.

They’re constantly adding more! So come often, and come hungry to learn.

They are offering a free trade book to teachers who create an account*.

Step 1: Create an Account

You’ll need to create a new account and be verified as an instructor.

Step 2: Select Your Book


AMLE (ASSOCIATION FOR MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION) 2020 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE-OCTOBER 23-25

Class is virtually in session! Just as this is no ordinary year, this is no ordinary conference. You are invited into the #AMLE20 virtual middle school classroom! It’s a space to play, innovate, and be creative. It’s a space to connect with colleagues. It’s a space to contribute and collect tools and resources to meet the needs of your students and your school community. INFORMATION HERE I REGISTRATION HERE


NCTE (NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH) 2020 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE-NOVEMBER 19-22

NCTE’s Convention is the most historic annual literacy convening for teachers and educators. Now celebrating its 110th consecutive year, the historic event connects educators to the most passionate and energetic minds in literacy. Attendees can expect to hear from leading education voices as well as nearly 300 national authors, all engaging together around the pressing topics of the field. Join them to establish new allies in the work of excellent teaching, new connections with luminaries and authors, and enough new books to fill entire shelves in classroom libraries. INFORMATION HERE I REGISTRATION HERE (WILL BE LIVE SOON)


ILA (INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION) NEXT-OCTOBER 3-29

ILA Next (October 3–29) is a new professional learning experience for literacy educators across the globe. Digital by design, ILA Next offers a blend of live and on-demand learning anchored by a weekly workshop series. You bring the device; they'll bring the PD!
They've zeroed in on the most important issues in literacy instruction, recognizing the challenges facing teachers right now, such as the following:

  • Distance and hybrid learning
  • Equity and access
  • Social-emotional development
  • Trauma responsive instruction
Each week, you'll have access to multiple hours of live presentations plus additional hours of on-demand content. Informal Office Hours sessions give you the chance to interact with select speakers and fellow participants. REGISTER NOW


THURBER HOUSE ADULT WRITING WORKSHOPS

  • 9/14 – How to Break Through Writer's Block
  • 9/21 – Mining Memories: Making Stories
  • 9/28 – Going Rogue: Garden Edition
  • 10/5 – True Inflammatory Poems
  • 10/12 – Writing Places and Spaces
  • 10/17 – Here There Be Dragons (Master Class)
  • 10/19 – Capturing Joy Through Poetry
  • 10/26 – Going Rogue: Holiday Edition

Learn More About/Register for Thurber's Adult Writing Workshops HERE


THURBER HOUSE AUTHOR VISITS FOR SEPTEMBER

*ONLINE* | Ohio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour SEP 9, 2020

Kari Gunter-Seymour was named the Poet Laureate of Ohio in June 2020. Her work is firmly and unapologetically attached to her home soil, and is an examination of the long-lasting effects of stereotype and false narratives surrounding native Appalachians. More than merely commenting, her work dares to search for meaning. Her current collection is A Place So Deep Inside America It Can't Be Seen. Kari is a ninth generation Appalachian and editor of the Women of Appalachia Project anthologies, Women Speak and Essentially Athens Ohio. She is the founder/executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project, an arts organization she created to address discrimination directed at women from the Appalachian region by encouraging women artists of diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences to come together, embrace the stereotype, and show the whole woman—beyond the superficial factors people use to judge her.

*ONLINE* | An Evening with Soul Writer Kahlil Carter SEP 15, 2020

Kahlil Carter specializes in writing poetry, short stories, and screenplays. Drawing lifelong inspiration from being named after author Kahlil Gibran, Kahlil has always found the written word of others instrumental to his development as a person and a writer. Kahlil gravitates toward writings that explore great personal depth in a manner that challenges others to do the same. At age 14, Kahlil participated in the Ella Baker Academy for Non-Violence and Social Change. As part of his undergraduate studies at Howard University, he was fortunate to study under E.R. Braithwaite during his time as a visiting professor. Kahlil was also a part of a film internship in New York under Keith Beauchamp, the creator of the documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till. The recipient of an Editor’s Choice Award from Poetry.com, Kahlil is published as part of the anthology The Shining Light.

*ONLINE* | The Amazing Story of Stan Lee and the Marvel Universe Pop Culture Phenomenon—with Historian Danny Fingeroth SEP 24, 2020

Excelsior! Danny Fingeroth, longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics who worked with Stan Lee for over four decades, presents A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee—the definitive biography of the beloved (and often controversial) co-creator of legendary superheroes and the powerhouse behind the pop culture phenomenon known as the Marvel Universe. Danny Fingeroth’s A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee stems from exclusive interviews with Lee himself, as well as colleagues, relatives, friends―and detractors. Fingeroth makes a remarkable case for Lee’s achievements, while not ignoring the controversies that dogged him his entire life―and even past his death. With unique access to Lee’s personal archives at the University of Wyoming, Fingeroth explores never-before-examined aspects of Lee’s life and career, and digs under the surface of what people thought they knew about him.


GRAMERCY BOOKS AUTHOR EVENTS

At Gramercy Books on Main Street in Bexley, they share our love of books and the arts through a broad range of programming and events that bring the community together. There’s something for everyone. Be sure to check out Gramercy's calendar of events, and discover something new.


TEACHINGBOOKS WEBINARS IN SEPTEMBER

Create and Share Lists on TeachingBooks Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 9CT
Organize booklists filled with resources to support instruction. Discover the many uses of lists in lessons, to promote titles, and to empower readers. Easily share with colleagues, families, and students. Register

Differentiate with Multi-leveled Lessons Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 9CT
Explore titles on TeachingBooks that have lessons designed to scaffold instruction and build connections to text in your differentiated classroom. Flexible enough to use for a whole-class read, read aloud titles, book groups, or independent reading. Register

Find the Perfect TeachingBooks Resource Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 9CT
Enjoy browsing and searching on TeachingBooks while discovering the perfect resources to meet your needs. We'll share advanced search techniques and locate resources in a variety of formats to reach students with different learning styles. Register

Enhance Independent Reading with TeachingBooks Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 9CT
Engage readers with resources to preview titles. Add to your reader's advisory bag of tricks. Register


FREE NEW YORK TIMES SUBSCRIPTIONS.

This could be a great resource for our Publications in Newspaper classes. HERE are the details.

POETRY OUT LOUD 2020-2021

Poetry Out Loud (POL) encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary heritage and contemporary life. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Teachers, librarians, or administrators register their high schools each year with the Ohio Arts Council and organize contests with one class, several classes, or a whole school. Contests, workshops, and multi-media program materials, including curricula, are free. Poetry Out Loud is aligned with Common Core and National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards.

REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL HERE. I Get more information here.


VOTE FOR THE 2020 BUCKEYE CHILDRENS AND TEENS BOOK AWARDS

Voting is now open for your favorite book from the nominees below. You can also make your nominations for the 2021 Buckeye Childrens & Teens Book Awards!

For Grades 6-8

  • Supernova (Amulet book 8) by Kazu Kibuishi
  • Front Desk by Kelly Yang
  • Grenade by Alan Gratz
  • Guts by Raina Telgemeier
  • Inkling by Kenneth Oppel

The Teen Buckeye Book Award Nominees (for grades 9-12)

  • On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
  • Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña
  • Supernova (Renegades book 3) by Marissa Meyer
  • The Toll (Arc of a Scythe book 3) by Neal Shusterman
  • War Storm (Red Queen Book 4) by Victoria Aveyard


THURBER HOUSE YOUNG WRITERS' STUDIO (GRADES 9-12)

  • Tuesday, September 15
  • Tuesday, September 29
  • Tuesday, October 13
  • Tuesday, October 27
  • Tuesday, November 10
  • Tuesday, November 24

6:30–8:30 pm ET on Zoom

What is Young Writers' Studio? Students in Grades 9-12 meet every other week for two hours with author and English professor Robert Loss. They kick off the first hour with quality writing prompts and activities. They wrap up the last hour with the chance to workshop pieces that you or others share. It's a safe, low-key, fun opportunity to enjoy writing and meet others! Register HERE

-A limited number of scholarships are available for this program. Email megbrown@thurberhouse.org for more information.

Weekly Stress-Break Video

BTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' Official MV
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Carla Mae Phillips

Lead Secondary English Curriculum Coordinator

Southland Center, Suite 125

Email: cphillips3865@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/English6-12
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, 43207, USA
Phone: (380) 997-0463