I also use Debate and the Socratic method to encourage critical thinking and polite discussion skills. Unfortunately, many students think that debate is arguing, so we have to deconstruct that thinking and teach them how to dismantle an argument, not a person.

• Carla King

I like to do a knowledge fair in my ELA class. It is similar to a science fair, except it doesn't necessarily include the scientific process. They will learn how to engage in their own passion, learn about it and share what they have learned with their colleagues. This exercises many of the 21st-century skills.

• Carla King

I have been thinking of ways to introduce gaming into the ELA setting, by utilizing the stories in games. Unfortunately, the most popular games for students have zero story development. I play games myself, but games with some level of story.

For me, the most important aspect of ELA is providing what students enjoy, but also something that furthers understanding of the English language.

• Sean Morison

Students need to have their ways of knowing valued. I teach elementary students and I notice that when I inadvertently bring in a video, news article, image, etc that they have prior non-school related knowledge about, they inevitably light up and can't wait to share what they know. I have been surprised many times about who will suddenly speak up if we start talking about space or dinosaurs, etc.

• Jamie Dyck

I often engage my students with Kahoot quizzes focused on grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. They love this and it makes the classes more fun!

• Georgie Shepherd

There is also an option on Kahoot where you can create teams. My current class loves this option because it allows them to discuss their answer with their teammates. It helps with communication and builds their confidence.

• Georgie Shepherd

We have iPads in each grade pod at our school that we can sign out and bring to our classrooms on a cart. @Robinhelstrom

• Georgie Shepherd

I love making use of Kahoots but have often found I don't have 1-1 technology. Some kids don't have phones or whatnot. How do you get around this? Laptop carts?

• Robin Helstrom

Unsure.

• Beth Burrows

I have asked students to look up Word meeting on their phones?

• Tara Debreuil

I wonder if our objectives have expanded so much that our students now struggle with composing simple sentences, everyday grammar, and spelling mechanics. At which point have we gone too far into multimodal and expanding the scope that we have taken away from the basics that will get our students further in life? They need these basic skills and knowledge to create resumes, to answer questions in interviews, to write papers in post-secondary, etc.

• Jillian Creasor

I agree. That's the single greatest issue I see in not just my ELA classes, but any that require written communication in any form.

• Beth Burrows

I agree. I worry about resumes and cover letters, work emails. We need to help them learn in these areas as well.

• Jenn Bilenky

Totally agree Jillian. Sometimes people forget that these are not just school skills. Reading, writing and speaking are skills that we need to use in our everyday lives.

• Andrew Clark

Since my second year of teaching, I wanted to focus on skill and process aspect of Language Arts. One of the highlights was getting my students to engage their interests through a project that engaged with a particular skill. One of the lessons I really enjoyed teaching was getting my students to create podcasts where they showed how to organize their speech and organize talking points in a timely manner.

• R Ryle Mutya

I am trying to include podcasting in the classroom. We explore the language used in podcasts and analyze the various uses of rhetoric and bias.

• Samantha Sansome

Podcasts are great!
I use them as a resource in multiple units I teach. They are a great way to help students explore current issues and topics. :)

• Sarah Gilbert

Sounds cool, what examples did you use and how did it go?

• R Ryle Mutya