A Freebie For You!

Do you have your students read independent novels for your class? If so, here's a fun way to assess their comprehension!

Independent Novel Power Point Project!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Novel-Project-Student-Power-Point-Assignment-Rubric-Pre-write
Regards,
Ann Marie

Get to Know this TpT Teacher-Author...

Laurah Jurca

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?

Currently 2nd and 4th grade ESOL, Previously taught k-8 ESOL

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?            4 Years

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

I joined in May 2011. I was looking for materials and came across TpT. I didn't actually buy anything that day, but I did sign up and post my first free product. I've long believed in developing my own classroom materials to fit the needs of my students. I decided what better way to help out a lot of ESOL students by making my materials available to other teachers as well?

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:      The same for both- Differentiation in your classroom is only as  hard as you make it.

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

I have a secret obsession with hello kitty, right down to my underoos!

TpT Store Link: 

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tools-For-Teachers-By-Laurah-J

Blog:    publicschoolteachersodyssey.blogspot.com

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Features-of-Non-fiction-Text-Powerpoint-Presentation

What other bio information would you like to share?

My husband and I spend the majority of our weekends doing historical reenactment (Bronze Age Celts). In the course of our reenactment we participate in rapier and armored combat. It is great fun!

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook:     facebook.com/tools4teachersbylaurahj

Thank you Laurah ( and all of my previous TpT Teacher-Authors) for allowing me to feature you on my blog! Any interested TpT Teacher-Author wishing to be featured can simply fill in the form posted at  top of my blog, Just above the most current post! All of you will be featured. Posts are made every 5-7 days and in order received! Thank you! If there were to be no other views, I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know fellow TpT Sellers this way. (Yes, "Get to Know" vis Cyber World!)

Regards,

A Blog Posting from Ruth at Teacher Park

AUTUMN IN THE AIR

I've always loved introducing my students to autumn poetry during our colorful autumn in New England. One of my favorites is Bliss Carmen's "Vagabond Song". Carmen, a Canadian, captures the true essence of autumn in his hauntingly beautiful poem. The music in this YouTube video is a perfect fit for  it. Take a minute to immerse yourself in the glory of autumn.


A Vagabond Song
by Bliss Carmen

There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood —
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.

The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.

There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name. 

Another Favorite Autumn Poem! 

Download a supplemental literature and grammar skills activity to use with
 Clay Harrison's poem "Autumn is Nature's Masterpiece"
There is a handout for students and a teacher's answer key. 

Practice identifying elements of literature and polish those grammar skills!

Fall Poem Activity Literary Elements Grammar Skills with Answer Key - Ann Marie Smith - TeachersPayTeachers.com

Thanks to Ruth at Teacher Park for featuring one of my products on her blog!!

Autumn is Nature’s Masterpiece

by Clay Harrison

Autumn is Nature's masterpiece

When every tree's aglow;

Before the leaves have fallen

And the hills are white with snow. 

The bounty of the harvest

Is a treasure to behold,

For the fruits of our labor

Are more valuable than gold. 

There's a change in the weather

That fills the heart with cheer;

With the holidays approaching

In the twilight of the year.

There's a feeling of thanksgiving

That comes to one and all;

When we count our many blessings

As the leaves begin to fall.