The Ashfall Series- Intriguing to Teens and Adults

Review of Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Barbara Swander Miller

Grippingly believable, the Ashfall series by Indianapolis Native Mike Mullin has what it takes to intrigue teens and adults, alike. No wonder it has won so many awards. Alex, an average teenager left to his own devices, makes his way across the Midwest to find his family after the Yellowstone volcano erupts in a thick gray ash that erodes all sense of modern life. Along the way, Alex encounters the best and the worst of human nature in a rapidly developing dystopic society. Although readers might predict that Mullin’s unlikely protagonist emerges as a leader, the traumas that he suffers create a sense of potential realism that keeps readers turning the pages. Darla, the tough and savvy amateur engineer he meets in Ashfall, not only makes a unique foil for Alex, but also is a strong role model for young women readers. There is no problem she cannot puzzle out. As a classroom read, this series is probably best for ages 15 and up, as the two main characters face- and maturely discuss- sexual decisions and are engaged in graphically violent clashes with lawless gangs. If you like The Hunger Games or Divergent, pick up Ashfall, Ashen Winter, Sunrise and Darla’s Story.

Buy Ashfall on Amazon 

ISTEP SUCCESS: The “Write” Strategies, Feb. 8

Elementary and Middle School Workshops

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014

Hands-on topics include:

• ISTEP tips every student (and teacher) should know
• Quick, fun prep strategies
• Dissecting the prompt
• Powerful planning
• Revision v. draft
• Five-day prep plan
• Scoring for success
• Three types of written assessment
• Narrative v. essay

Register and find more information:
http://iwp.iweb.bsu.edu/profdev/istep.htm

Writing and Technology Workshops, Sept. 14

Announcing two workshops on writing and technology for teachers on Sept. 14.

CREATE A HIGH-TECH LESSON WITH PREZI

Sept. 14, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ball State University
Cost: $40.00

Instructors:
Lindsey Thompson, Shenandoah High School
Barbara Swander Miller, Alexandria Monroe Jr/Sr High School
Stacey Chester, Cowan Jr/Sr High School

Upgrade your favorite unit into a Prezi for a more engaging presentation. Learn how you and your students can use Prezi to meet Common Core Writing Standards. Bring your own materials (on flashdrive or device) to create your own Prezi to use in your classroom. Plenty of hands-on time with support.

CREATE AND INTERACTIVE UNIT WITH QR CODES AND LIVEBINDER

Sept. 14, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ball State University
Cost: $40.00

Instructors:
Lindsey Thompson, Shenandoah High School
Barbara Swander Miller, Alexandria Monroe Jr/Sr High School
Stacey Chester, Cowan Jr/Sr High School

Learn how to use and create QR codes that link with websites, information, or photos. Then use Livebinder to integrate QR codes, and your own Prezi, PowerPoint, podcasts or other resources into a high tech unit that will engage students and meet CCSS.

Registration

For information about registration, go to the IWP website.

Workshop with Kelly Gallagher, June 14

Save the date!  On June 14, 2013, IWP is sponsoring a day-long workshop by Kelly Gallagher on "Building Deeper Readers and Writers in the Age of the Common Core Standards."

Kelly Gallagher has an extensive background in literacy education.  A high school teacher with over 20 years teaching experience, he currently teaches at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, California.  His books for Stenhouse Publishers include Deeper Reading, Teaching Adolescent Writers, Write Like This, and Readicide.

Registration information will be available by January 15, 2013.  Keep updated by checking iwp.iweb.bsu.edu/kelly.

In this podcast, Kelly talks about using real world texts in the classroom.

Smekens: Light Snack or the Real Meal Deal

Smekens!  This name evokes an array of emotions in educators.  Words like "gimmicky," "lacking meat," and "quick fix" are tossed about.  I personally have a different perspective.  Kristina Smekens is part of my journey as a literacy educator.  She introduced me to the six traits and craft in writing, how to organize and manage a writing workshop, as well as how to begin.  When I left that first workshop, "Introducing the Six Traits," I returned to my classroom armed with lesson plans, courage, and confidence.  Confidence...the X factor that spurs us on to reach new heights!

This newfound confidence led me to the Indiana Writing Project.  In Summer Institute I learned that the 6 traits is an assessment, not a process.  I learned to stand on the shoulders of the great ones in the field of literacy, and I learned that I was, indeed, a writer.  No doubt, this experience was a life-changing part of my literacy journey.  I was empowered by being a student in a writing workshop, sharing the power of teachers teaching teachers, and believing that I too am a writer.  The confusion, the questioning, the research and reflection my mind muddled with definitely strengthened my understanding and ability to implement writing workshop in my own classroom.  But my journey did not end there.

This July, I attended a two-day literacy conference led by one of Kristina Smekens's mentees, Kristi McCullough.  Was it gimmicky?  Only if having a visual for each reading strategy is a "trick." Was it lacking meat?  Only from the standpoint that the two-day workshop covered research, organization, management, and implementation in 12 hours!  Was it a quick fix?  If feeling like I have a starting point for taking the information back to my own classroom and implementing it from day one, then maybe.  To be regenerated with courage and confidence to face the new year...priceless!

Each of us is on a journey to become a better educator.  Trends come and go, but a teacher's search for the best ways to instruct is constant.  Our journeys are different.  Some include people like Smekens and even Shurley!  Growth meets each of us where we are at any given moment.  The growth is the important thing about the journey.  We must respect each other's journey.

Submitted by Kathy Flatter, TC ‘07

Youth Writing Camp starts Sept. 15

Fall semester sessions of Writing Camp for students in grades 3-6 begin Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Help us spread the word.  Registration form.  More information.

Craft in Kindergarten: An Example Mini-lesson

The Vimeo clip "Modeled Writing - Primary" does an excellent job highlighting the mini-lesson portion of Writing Workshop while illustrating the concepts of author study and craft as well. 

Jennifer Wisner, a teacher from Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon, is using Eric Carle's books as the basis of an author study in her kindergarten class.  She and her students have read several of the author's works and are now creating a chart of the craft they have recognized in some of Carle's popular children's books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  To end the mini-lesson and begin independent writing time, the teacher invites the young writers to try to use some of Carle's craft ideas in their own writing. 

When viewing this example mini-lesson on author study and craft, you can see it would be great for kindergarten or first grade students; additionally, the mini-lesson's overall structure, high level of student engagement, and use of mentor texts and author study are adaptable and appropriate for writers of any grade level.  Consider how mini-lessons and age-appropriate author studies can be used to explore craft and inspire the writers in your classroom.

Submitted by Shirley Thacker, TC '07