Brian Smeltzer
@bsmeltz.bsky.social
Elementary teacher. Title 1. Windows > Mirrors. Broken filter. Politically homeless. Devil’s advocate. Snarky with a touch of sweetness.
This is such a huge concept. Trying to convince students that the first draft isn’t enough. You start with a blank page and create again and again. (And it isn’t ever really done. Kwame Alexander has talked with me about having a stack of changes he’d still want to mane in his Newbery book.
November 20, 2024 at 12:29 PM
This is such a huge concept. Trying to convince students that the first draft isn’t enough. You start with a blank page and create again and again. (And it isn’t ever really done. Kwame Alexander has talked with me about having a stack of changes he’d still want to mane in his Newbery book.
I’ve known Micah since I went to college with him 25 years ago. I couldn’t agree more.
November 19, 2024 at 12:31 AM
I’ve known Micah since I went to college with him 25 years ago. I couldn’t agree more.
Books like The Crossover are identical in the graphic novel format. Have them read the graphic novel for a chapter and then reread it in the regular book. They also have the TV show on Disney+ they could compare to the picture they may have gotten.
November 18, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Books like The Crossover are identical in the graphic novel format. Have them read the graphic novel for a chapter and then reread it in the regular book. They also have the TV show on Disney+ they could compare to the picture they may have gotten.
Poor choice of wording. I should have said average, middle of the road Americans. (average describing middle of the road, not Americans)
You are correct in what you have said.
You are correct in what you have said.
November 17, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Poor choice of wording. I should have said average, middle of the road Americans. (average describing middle of the road, not Americans)
You are correct in what you have said.
You are correct in what you have said.
I knew my wording wasn’t great but I would have a hard time saying that the Nazis marching through Columbus are acting as normal and regular Americans. There are extremes on both sides. The majority of Americans are regular and normal.
November 17, 2024 at 9:10 PM
I knew my wording wasn’t great but I would have a hard time saying that the Nazis marching through Columbus are acting as normal and regular Americans. There are extremes on both sides. The majority of Americans are regular and normal.
Can there not be a party that represents most Americans? The ones in the middle? I feel like the Dems are doing a decent job but most post-election reflection shows that maybe did t do that very well. Not causing dissension. I’m all for the common sense party, just want it to be louder.
November 17, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Can there not be a party that represents most Americans? The ones in the middle? I feel like the Dems are doing a decent job but most post-election reflection shows that maybe did t do that very well. Not causing dissension. I’m all for the common sense party, just want it to be louder.
I was once Republican but couldn’t stomach where they went in 2016. Now, it doesn’t seem like there a place for regular, normal Americans. The Dems are the closest but why can’t there be a party that isn’t directed by the fringe?
November 17, 2024 at 7:20 PM
I was once Republican but couldn’t stomach where they went in 2016. Now, it doesn’t seem like there a place for regular, normal Americans. The Dems are the closest but why can’t there be a party that isn’t directed by the fringe?
Black Star is book two. This is book one. It’s much deeper than Black Star but I would argue it’s more important. Kids that liked book two didn’t like book one as much and those who liked book one didn’t like two as much but they’re both great reads.
November 17, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Black Star is book two. This is book one. It’s much deeper than Black Star but I would argue it’s more important. Kids that liked book two didn’t like book one as much and those who liked book one didn’t like two as much but they’re both great reads.
Kwame Alexander got me hooked on novels in verse. (I know there were plenty before him!) I read this one to my students last year and they were completely engaged.
November 17, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Kwame Alexander got me hooked on novels in verse. (I know there were plenty before him!) I read this one to my students last year and they were completely engaged.
Reposted by Brian Smeltzer
Melanie Trecek-King’s ThinkingisPower.com website is great .
November 17, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Melanie Trecek-King’s ThinkingisPower.com website is great .
I’ve been looking for something like this for a while! Thanks!
November 17, 2024 at 4:04 PM
I’ve been looking for something like this for a while! Thanks!
We do crosswords weekly from a passage. They will often say the answer is isn’t there when the word is literally on the paper. No thinking or inferring needed.
They give a legitimate blank stare because they don’t know what to do next.
They give a legitimate blank stare because they don’t know what to do next.
November 17, 2024 at 3:42 PM
We do crosswords weekly from a passage. They will often say the answer is isn’t there when the word is literally on the paper. No thinking or inferring needed.
They give a legitimate blank stare because they don’t know what to do next.
They give a legitimate blank stare because they don’t know what to do next.
My favorite “comeback” is Who’s she? Like they would waste their time and energy responding to a post of someone they didn’t know. There isn’t a response to give. They have nothing to do but mimic their leader. It’s all consuming. You are appreciated for your insight and ability to read the room!
November 17, 2024 at 3:10 AM
My favorite “comeback” is Who’s she? Like they would waste their time and energy responding to a post of someone they didn’t know. There isn’t a response to give. They have nothing to do but mimic their leader. It’s all consuming. You are appreciated for your insight and ability to read the room!