Tweet all about it...

I'm all in favour of tapping into students' interests to engage them in the classroom.  Many of them have got Facebook or Twitter accounts so I use this well known format in my lessons when exploring a character.  They love creating profiles for fictional characters and sometimes they post on the character's wall in the wake of a notable development in the story.  Templates are readily available on the internet.  Here is a very realistic example, created by a student who used a template that I provided:

You may need to explain how Twitter/Facebook works to those students who don't use these platforms.  Yes, there are some of them out there...

Put a ring on it...

   If your digits need a makeover, beautiful and bold rings are the way forward. They add another dimension to your look and show the world that you're a ‘blingy' kind of gyal. I've even used them in the classroom as a teaching resource. On a basic level, learners can describe the ring(s) by selecting adjectives and thinking about the texture. Students could also introduce themselves using jewellery (and other random objects). For example: Like this ring, I am solid and sturdy. I am also quite flamboyant like the eye-catching flower. Unlike this ring, I am full of warmth. The youngsters may also be encouraged to build a narrative/drama around the ring.

Or, you could simply wear rings to accentuate your fashionista credentials.
Here is a selection of my favourites:

Review it, Post It...

  This post follows on from ‘Rest, relaxation, reading' (July 15th). I set most of my classes the challenge of reading at least 3 new books over the summer break. This was mainly to ensure that their literacy levels didn't regress, as can sometimes be the case. They picked up the gauntlet and bounced back into my classroom brandishing their Post It reviews. The students simply stuck them onto the designated board and the result is something rather special. I am especially pleased by the number of students reading their peers' recommendations. It's a masterpiece of a collage that I want to keep up as long as possible (although errant Post It notes float down regularly and keep us all on our toes!).