It's official. After nine years of teaching, I went on my first, official, classroom field trip today! We took our Pre-AP ELA classes to see the original two-act play called Encore! by Chamber Theatre Productions. 
  It's a creative take on classic stories: "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", "The Monkey's Paw", "The Necklace", and "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." (They also threw in "The Raven.") 
  It was a small, simple stage with a rotation of 5 actors playing all the roles. Actually, it's the same play I SAW as a 7th grade student. I still remember it, so I was hoping to create a similar experience for my students, something they could remember from their 7th grade year. While it isn't my favorite play of all time, it's a great introduction to theatre, and I'm really excited that my students got to experience drama first-hand, in the middle of our study of drama, around Halloween, by watching some creepy plays. What more could a teacher ask for really?
  I can't wait to see what they thought tomorrow. I plan on having them write a critique and analyze the use of lighting and sound techniques.
  Anywho, just wanted to share because I was pretty excited! Whether it's introducing them to classic literature, theatre, famous music, art, or dance, I highly suggest introducing your students to some culture. It's sure to make them more well-rounded humans. The sooner they realize that the world is a big, wide-open place filled with opportunities the more their desires and knowledge will grow.

Megan Gordon 
7th Grade ELAR
*All photos from ​http://www.chambertheatre.com/ourshows/encore

  I'll admit, with all the social media platforms, it's hard to stay up-to-date, but  make sure that you're not wasting your days away "living" online. In my opinion, as an educator, a good balance must be struck. Being a part of some kind of social media can greatly increase your classroom environment and engagement.
  I joined Twitter in 2014, but I didn't really start taking full advantage of it until this year. I say that I'm taking advantage of it because it has added tremendously to my classroom this year. We are basically still in month two, and I've already had some killer things happen because of Twitter.

1. I've joined George Couros' Innovator's Mindset Massive Open Online Course. It's been a great tool to connect with other educators who are trying to be innovative. There's a Twitter hashtag and weekly postings by educators all around the world. We're asked to comment on each other's posts, and there's also a Facebook Group to connect. I've been able to connect with all kinds of educators and innovative thinkers because of this.
2. I've joined #2ndaryELA for their weekly Twitter Chats on Tuesday nights at 7pm central. (This group also has a FB group for secondary ELA teachers.) This group is AMAZING! We share files, send emails with resources, have each other's contact information, give/ask for advice, etc. I've gained so many tools and suggestions from being a part of this. If you're a secondary ELA teacher, I highly recommend it. It's my TOP resource right now. Go join. Now. 
3. My class tweets have been liked, and comments have been made, by several important people! This has been tremendous for my classroom! When students see that what we're doing in class has effects in the real world, it's great! They feel validated and learning becomes even more meaningful.

Here are our favorite face-melting moments to far:
*The real Veruca Salt, Julie Dawn Cole, liked one of our Tweets when my class was studying Willy Wonka for our WGMS Film School. Yowza!

*We read, listened to, analyzed, and debated a song from the super-talented Josh Ritter. He answered our question and tweeted us back with some very kind remarks. Twice!

*We created some blackout poems last year. Austin Kleon liked and tweeted us back. Boom!

*We listened to and watched "Monsters in My Stomach," "Money," and "Dating Myself" by Def Jam Poet, Poetri, and get this...I talked to him on the phone!!! WHAT?!! You don't understand. He's a celebrity in my class. I mean, he really is a celebrity, but my students and I LOVE him. He was super nice and just what you'd expect. Are you kidding me?! On. the. phone.

  I highly recommend that you start getting connected in a way that makes sense for you. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or Blogging...social media can really help you level up in the classroom. 

Megan Gordon
7th Grade ELAR

*All pictures from twitter.com

I have several favorite poems that I share with students. Here's Daniel Beaty's "Knock Knock". If you're ready to have deep, powerful conversations with your students, have them watch this. We watch it several times to pick up the topic, themes, and use of figurative language.

Did you tear-up? Because I do. Every. Single. Time. I watched it 10 times today. Teared-up 10 times.

The best commentary I had today was a student who understood and explained how Beaty used the onomatopoeia "knock knock" to represent the changes that the speaker undergoes. He said that at first, the "knock knock" is a game, and it's a good thing the speaker shares with his father. Then, the "knock knock" becomes the problem as the speaker is trying to knock on the prison doors and the window of his father's cell, but it's blocking their relationship. It makes its final transition as it becomes Beaty's power. He uses the "knock knock" to break down barriers and heal himself. Wow. I was pretty speechless. This student is a 7th grader. I'm so glad I get to teach such thoughtful human beings. I'm also thankful for poets who share their words and experiences with the world.

If you need a good poem to relate back to themes, figurative language, or perspectives, I highly recommend this poem.

​Enjoy!

Megan Gordon
7th Grade ELAR