Spice it Up a Notch with Nutmeg! Resources Just Added! Newsletter March 2007 Enhancing Education with Technology Successful Practices: A language arts unit that integrates the Spice it up a Notch with Nutmeg! project. Developed by Mary Blain, grade 7 teacher in Windham, CT. Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate Ballot Nutmeg Book Award Teen Ballot Nutmeg Book Awards Classroom Tally Student Directions for Using ESchool Getting Started Introducing the Project to Students (Directions for teachers) Introducing the Project to Students (PPT Slideshow) eSchool Builder How to log on and participate in online discussions, chats, and blogs Student Contract and Guidelines for Using eSchool Builder (Word document)- Students and parents should read and sign this contract before using the online discussion tools How to Use the Nutmeg Comparison Matrix The Nutmeg Comparison Matrix Worksheet (8"X11" Word Document) The Nutmeg Comparison Matrix worksheet (11"X14" Word Document) The Product/Performance Rubric (Word Document) Nutmeg Project Big Ideas Through this project, your students will realize these overarching big ideas about effective persuasive arguments. Before Reading Guiding Students to Choose Books for Literature Discussion Groups Here are some suggestions for guiding student selection of literature circle books. Formats for Literature Discussion Groups The format you select for discussions will depend on many things: your style, your students' ages and abilities, and needs that are specific toLit your classroom. Getting Started with Discussion Groups: Teaching Students How to Discuss Effective teaching strategies to help students learn how to participate as an effective listener and contributor during discussions. Literature Circles Video This is an instructional video on how to set up and teach literature circles for middle school. It has some examples of effective conversation for students and teachers to see. Ten minutes Engaging with Literature: A Video Library This video library includes nine 20-minute videos that give language arts teachers and other educators an opportunity to observe firsthand how their peers are successfully guiding students in grades 3–5 toward becoming more active and involved readers of literature. Author Study Inquiry Questions: A book is a product of the author’s mind, and therefore it may be helpful to know something about the author and how she or he came to write the book. Use or adapt the questions to conduct an author study. Authors and Illustrators on the Web The Internet has become a great source of information about many children's writers and illustrators. The websites listed here include authors' personal websites and websites maintained by fans, scholars, and readers. Utilizing Your Library for Books and People During Reading Preparing for Discussion Tools Simple and effective tools to help students gather information and prepare for discussion groups. Forms for Discussion Groups Forms to help guide student discussion groups Discussion or Written Response Focus Questions CMT aligned focus questions for students to respond to in writing or in group discussions. The Collecting Evidence "So What" Double Entry Diary Using this graphic organizer helps students develop well substantiated responses. Making Text-to-Self Connections Form This graphic organizer is for students to use to make relevant personal connections to text. Refining Discussion Groups Through Debriefing Strategies for helping students debrief and reflect on their discussions Participating in the Online Discussion Boards Directions for getting started with online discussion boards and guidelines for participation. Discussing the Respectful Way! (Word Document) Points for students to consider about how to discuss and disagree respectfully on the Internet. After Reading Persuasive Product or Performance Rubric (Word Document) Formats for Oral, Written, and Visual Persuasive Product or Performance Author Study Inquiry Questions: A book is a product of the author’s mind, and therefore it may be helpful to know something about the author and how she or he came to write the book. Use or adapt the questions to conduct an author study. Prewriting Questions for Book, Movie, or Play Reviews The following questions are designed to help you generate and focus your ideas when writing a book, movie, or film review. Steps for Writing a Good Book Review Write a Book Review Here you'll find writing tips and strategies to help you write a book review. This project is hosted by EASTCONN's Standards Based Learning Center