Fantasy Literature

So, I'm back in college again starting Wednesday and will be spending my summer exploring the depths of fantasy literature for children and later digging into mythology. These are two topics I adore and am looking forward to dawning my fairy dust encrusted diadem and wizards wand with dragon claw core as I venture into my quest. I can hardly wait.

I am wondering how much fantasy literature you use in you classroom, particularly in the middle and secondary venues. With the push in Common Core to squeeze out literature in favor of informational reading, I have my reservations about how much time will actually be spent on using the genre in the real world classroom.

I see fantasy literature (particularly sci-fi) just as relevant in the upper grades as it is in elementary (and I won't blah-blah-blah you with why).  And want to ensure that this isn't lost in our classroom in favor of the recent educational climate shift. How do you plan to keep it alive in your classroom? What titles do you use? How do you manage to work around the Common Core restrictions?  What feedback have you had from parents and admin?

As I delve deeper into my semester I am sure I will have LOTS more to share and ideas on ways to embed the genre into your curriculum. Chime in and let me know your thoughts.

I Still Appreciate You!

Teacher appreciation week seems to have come and gone - but I still appreciate you. Only another teacher knows just how hard you work all year. And with only just over a month left of school I thought that I would let you know how appreciated you are by hosting a sale in my store. My entire store will be 20% off from now until Thursday!!!!

So come visit and stock up for the end of the year or on something new for next fall!

Easy Lit Units & MORE!

I'm Back From Outer Space!

It's been awhile and I had some recent technical hiccups, but thanks to my IT guy (aka my wonderful husband), I think it is all resolved now.  Having said that, thought you would like to know that I recently added two wonderful products to my store.

The first is Lesson 6 in my Jamestown Unit. It is a DBQ that focuses on primary source documents addressing how colonists fared the first year.

The second I have been working on for over two years. I am truly excited about it. If you ever needed fresh ideas and activities for your novel or literature unit, then consider Any Novel Unit! It is over 100 pages of ideas for you to use with absolutely ANY novel in your classroom. I use many of these activities all year.

And in appreciation of all you wonderful teachers out there I want you to know that I will be having a sale on 5/6 - 5/7.  Everything in my store will be 20% off!  So, be sure to take advantage of the savings. Find something that has been on your wishlist or stock up for next year.  This is a not to be missed event!

And one final thought - be sure to follow my store. I have several products that will be launched over the next couple of months and followers will receive exclusive notification of their arrival and promotional pricing!

Happy Weekend!  Keep Calm and Teach On!