Fellow peers and colleagues, here I have created a list of useful websites regarding teaching, education, English and lesson plans:
http://www.readwritethink.org
http://www.educationworld.com
http://www.readingrockets.org
http://www.everythingesl.net
http://www.webenglishteacher.com
http://www.nichcu.org
http://rubistar.4teachers.org
http://www.wordle.net
http://journalingprompts.com
http://lessonplanz.com
ORGANIZATIONS:
http://www.mea.org
http://www.mienglishteacher.org
http://www.ncte.org
http://www.nea.org
http://www.reading.org
LESSON PLANS:
My Personal Lesson Plan On Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
http://www.lsu.edu/faculty/jpullia/3223speakllesson.htm
This lesson plan covers the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/rg-lessonplans.html
This website is packed full of lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school student levels.
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/608?task=view
This website is packed full of lesson plans, programs, tips and articles regarding awareness and understanding of the GLBT community.
English Journal Articles:
Relevancy to Sexual Orientation in the High School classroom:
Literature for Today's Gay and Lesbian Teens: Subverting the Culture of Silence Literature for Today's Gay and Lesbian Teens: Subverting the Culture of SilenceTerry L. Norton, Jonatha W. Vare The English Journal, Vol. 94, No. 2, Subversive English (Nov., 2004), pp. 65-69
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/4128776?&Search=yes&searchText=Literature&searchText=Gay&searchText=Lesbian&searchText=Today%27s&searchText=Teens&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3Facc%3Don%26Query%3DLiterature%2Bfor%2BToday%2527s%2BGay%2BAND%2BLesbian%2BTeens%2B%26gw%3Djtx%26acc%3Don%26prq%3DLiterature%2Bfor%2BToday%2527s%2BGay%2BAND%2BLesbian%2BTeens%2B%2BSubverting%2Bthe%2BCulture%2Bof%2BSilence%2BTerry%2BL.%2BNorton%252C%2BJonatha%2BW.%2BVare%2BThe%2BEnglish%2BJournal%252C%2BVol.%2B94%252C%2BNo.%2B2%252C%2BSubversive%2BEnglish%2B%2528Nov.%252C%2B2004%2529%252C%2Bpp.%2B65-69%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=78&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article discusses the importance of incorporating and using books in the classroom that portray positive insights into the lives of contemporary gay and lesbian adolescents, their peers and family members. The article asserts that using these recommended and specified books that read in a positive light will demonstrate and provide insight into the diversity of society which will consequentially lead to a deeper, more meaningful understanding and acceptance. In the article, Dennis A. Anderson asserts that perhaps one of the most difficult challenges for gay and lesbian teens occurs when they attempt to establish and announce a true identity in a society that may not be as welcoming, accepting and understanding of their sexual orientation. Individuals are more apt to suffering from depression, truancy and inadequate school performance, dropping out of school and running away from home, substance abuse, suicide attempts and being victims of hate and violence. There are many books that can be used in the classroom to demonstrate such difficulties that these individuals face in order to create a deeper awareness of the issue.
It is important to affirm sexual orientation in the classroom through books to promote inclusion-showing that these individuals and this topic as a part of every day life. The article recommends the following books to use and incorporate in the classroom that depict real and true issues faced every day: Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters, Gravel Queen by Tia Benduhn, Geography Club by Brent Hartinger, How I Fell in Love and Learned to Shoot Free Throws by Jon Ripslinger, Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle and many others. These texts describe the many difficulties and challenges gay and lesbian adolescents face and provide the message that they are not alone while also "expanding the horizon" of student peers.
Incorporating Issues of Sexual Orientation in the Classroom: Challenges and Solutions Anne C. Fletcher, Stephen T. Russell Family Relations, Vol. 50, No. 1 (Jan., 2001), pp. 34-40
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/585772?&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dsexual%2Borientation%26acc%3Don%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=3&ttl=29423&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article identifies and discusses 6 challenges involving the incorporation of sexual orientation issues into the classroom: lack of student exposure to accurate information about sexual orientation, selecting a lecture topic, attitudes of intolerance among students, avoiding generalizations, making the topic of sexual orientation relevant to the lives of students, and instructor comfort level concerning the topic of sexual orientation.
Solutions to the Challenges:
Lack of student exposure: Provide students with proper vocabulary early on in order to promote and increase discussion and participation.Understand that the majority of information students contain pertaining to this topic has been learned from conversations and comments made by family, friends and peers and is often inaccurate.
Selecting a topic: Focus on a more clearly defined topic in order to provide breadth and diverse experiences.
Attitudes: Have open communication between students and impart upon students a feeling and sense of empathy.
Avoiding generalizations: Emphasize differences between "average" group experiences and the varying experiences of LGBT individuals.
Making the topic relevant to their lives: Give students the opportunity to apply material presented in class to real life situations
Comfort level: Instructors should understand that it is not essential to be an expert on the topic in order to incorporate it into their classrooms and should not feel any less qualified. Become familiar and use words more comfortably and regularly in the classroom.
Poets of Comrades: Addressing Sexual Orientation in the English Classroom by Christina AllanThe English Journal Vol. 88, No. 6 (Jul., 1999) (pp. 97-101)
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/822194?seq=1&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3Ffilter%3Djid%253A10.2307%252Fj100151%26Query%3Dsexual%2Borientation%26Search.x%3D0%26Search.y%3D0%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=80&returnArticleService=showFullText&resultsServiceName=null
This article notes the importance of addressing sexual orientation in the Secondary Education English classroom. It discusses the fact that English teachers specifically must be dedicated to embracing students of homosexuality and bisexuality just as much and as strongly as those who are of different home cultures linguistically, ethnically and racially from those of the dominant and usually homogeneous classroom culture. The topic of sexual orientation and identity is often overlooked and avoided. The article asserts, "Teachers should work to include diverse works with characteristics and themes that will expand student's horizons."
Included is a list of what English teachers can do to reduce stereotyping and create an open-minded, welcoming environment in their classroom by the usage of the following strategies: Increasing your knowledge through literature, joining local GLSTEN, become a faculty sponsor for GLBT students, display posters and other materials that include gay authors and historical figures, establish a classroom atmosphere full of trust, choose reading material that avoids stereotyping and instead promotes discussions of gay related issues, and be aware of heterosexual related choices in discussion topics of assignments dealing with marriage, dating, lovers and family.
Opening the Classroom Closet: Sexual Orientation and Self-Disclosure Katherine R. Allen Family Relations, Vol. 44, No. 2 (Apr., 1995), pp. 136-141
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/584799?&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=teaching&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dteaching%2Bsexual%2Borientation%26acc%3Don%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=9419&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article discusses heterosexism and the costs of heterosexual privilege. Proposed teaching strategies are also noted in regards to incorporating accurate information about sexual orientation in the classroom. The article discusses ideas such as: upgrading knowledge about sexual orientation, creating writing opportunities for teachers and students, including multiple representations of lesbians and gays, and providing departmental support for all citizens.
http://www.readwritethink.org
http://www.educationworld.com
http://www.readingrockets.org
http://www.everythingesl.net
http://www.webenglishteacher.com
http://www.nichcu.org
http://rubistar.4teachers.org
http://www.wordle.net
http://journalingprompts.com
http://lessonplanz.com
ORGANIZATIONS:
http://www.mea.org
http://www.mienglishteacher.org
http://www.ncte.org
http://www.nea.org
http://www.reading.org
LESSON PLANS:
My Personal Lesson Plan On Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
http://www.lsu.edu/faculty/jpullia/3223speakllesson.htm
This lesson plan covers the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/rg-lessonplans.html
This website is packed full of lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school student levels.
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/608?task=view
This website is packed full of lesson plans, programs, tips and articles regarding awareness and understanding of the GLBT community.
English Journal Articles:
Relevancy to Sexual Orientation in the High School classroom:
Literature for Today's Gay and Lesbian Teens: Subverting the Culture of Silence Literature for Today's Gay and Lesbian Teens: Subverting the Culture of SilenceTerry L. Norton, Jonatha W. Vare The English Journal, Vol. 94, No. 2, Subversive English (Nov., 2004), pp. 65-69
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/4128776?&Search=yes&searchText=Literature&searchText=Gay&searchText=Lesbian&searchText=Today%27s&searchText=Teens&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3Facc%3Don%26Query%3DLiterature%2Bfor%2BToday%2527s%2BGay%2BAND%2BLesbian%2BTeens%2B%26gw%3Djtx%26acc%3Don%26prq%3DLiterature%2Bfor%2BToday%2527s%2BGay%2BAND%2BLesbian%2BTeens%2B%2BSubverting%2Bthe%2BCulture%2Bof%2BSilence%2BTerry%2BL.%2BNorton%252C%2BJonatha%2BW.%2BVare%2BThe%2BEnglish%2BJournal%252C%2BVol.%2B94%252C%2BNo.%2B2%252C%2BSubversive%2BEnglish%2B%2528Nov.%252C%2B2004%2529%252C%2Bpp.%2B65-69%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=78&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article discusses the importance of incorporating and using books in the classroom that portray positive insights into the lives of contemporary gay and lesbian adolescents, their peers and family members. The article asserts that using these recommended and specified books that read in a positive light will demonstrate and provide insight into the diversity of society which will consequentially lead to a deeper, more meaningful understanding and acceptance. In the article, Dennis A. Anderson asserts that perhaps one of the most difficult challenges for gay and lesbian teens occurs when they attempt to establish and announce a true identity in a society that may not be as welcoming, accepting and understanding of their sexual orientation. Individuals are more apt to suffering from depression, truancy and inadequate school performance, dropping out of school and running away from home, substance abuse, suicide attempts and being victims of hate and violence. There are many books that can be used in the classroom to demonstrate such difficulties that these individuals face in order to create a deeper awareness of the issue.
It is important to affirm sexual orientation in the classroom through books to promote inclusion-showing that these individuals and this topic as a part of every day life. The article recommends the following books to use and incorporate in the classroom that depict real and true issues faced every day: Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters, Gravel Queen by Tia Benduhn, Geography Club by Brent Hartinger, How I Fell in Love and Learned to Shoot Free Throws by Jon Ripslinger, Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle and many others. These texts describe the many difficulties and challenges gay and lesbian adolescents face and provide the message that they are not alone while also "expanding the horizon" of student peers.
Incorporating Issues of Sexual Orientation in the Classroom: Challenges and Solutions Anne C. Fletcher, Stephen T. Russell Family Relations, Vol. 50, No. 1 (Jan., 2001), pp. 34-40
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/585772?&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dsexual%2Borientation%26acc%3Don%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=3&ttl=29423&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article identifies and discusses 6 challenges involving the incorporation of sexual orientation issues into the classroom: lack of student exposure to accurate information about sexual orientation, selecting a lecture topic, attitudes of intolerance among students, avoiding generalizations, making the topic of sexual orientation relevant to the lives of students, and instructor comfort level concerning the topic of sexual orientation.
Solutions to the Challenges:
Lack of student exposure: Provide students with proper vocabulary early on in order to promote and increase discussion and participation.Understand that the majority of information students contain pertaining to this topic has been learned from conversations and comments made by family, friends and peers and is often inaccurate.
Selecting a topic: Focus on a more clearly defined topic in order to provide breadth and diverse experiences.
Attitudes: Have open communication between students and impart upon students a feeling and sense of empathy.
Avoiding generalizations: Emphasize differences between "average" group experiences and the varying experiences of LGBT individuals.
Making the topic relevant to their lives: Give students the opportunity to apply material presented in class to real life situations
Comfort level: Instructors should understand that it is not essential to be an expert on the topic in order to incorporate it into their classrooms and should not feel any less qualified. Become familiar and use words more comfortably and regularly in the classroom.
Poets of Comrades: Addressing Sexual Orientation in the English Classroom by Christina AllanThe English Journal Vol. 88, No. 6 (Jul., 1999) (pp. 97-101)
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/822194?seq=1&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3Ffilter%3Djid%253A10.2307%252Fj100151%26Query%3Dsexual%2Borientation%26Search.x%3D0%26Search.y%3D0%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=80&returnArticleService=showFullText&resultsServiceName=null
This article notes the importance of addressing sexual orientation in the Secondary Education English classroom. It discusses the fact that English teachers specifically must be dedicated to embracing students of homosexuality and bisexuality just as much and as strongly as those who are of different home cultures linguistically, ethnically and racially from those of the dominant and usually homogeneous classroom culture. The topic of sexual orientation and identity is often overlooked and avoided. The article asserts, "Teachers should work to include diverse works with characteristics and themes that will expand student's horizons."
Included is a list of what English teachers can do to reduce stereotyping and create an open-minded, welcoming environment in their classroom by the usage of the following strategies: Increasing your knowledge through literature, joining local GLSTEN, become a faculty sponsor for GLBT students, display posters and other materials that include gay authors and historical figures, establish a classroom atmosphere full of trust, choose reading material that avoids stereotyping and instead promotes discussions of gay related issues, and be aware of heterosexual related choices in discussion topics of assignments dealing with marriage, dating, lovers and family.
Opening the Classroom Closet: Sexual Orientation and Self-Disclosure Katherine R. Allen Family Relations, Vol. 44, No. 2 (Apr., 1995), pp. 136-141
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/stable/584799?&Search=yes&searchText=orientation&searchText=teaching&searchText=sexual&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dteaching%2Bsexual%2Borientation%26acc%3Don%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=9419&returnArticleService=showFullText
This article discusses heterosexism and the costs of heterosexual privilege. Proposed teaching strategies are also noted in regards to incorporating accurate information about sexual orientation in the classroom. The article discusses ideas such as: upgrading knowledge about sexual orientation, creating writing opportunities for teachers and students, including multiple representations of lesbians and gays, and providing departmental support for all citizens.