Classroom Disorganization: Utilize Unused & Hidden Spaces for Storage

Just wanted to post my latest attempt at organizing my classroom. We kicked off our poetry unit this week (one of my favorites!). As I was digging through my very cluttered drawers looking for baggies for a new activity I shared with my students today, I realized I needed a better system for storing them than just shoving them in a drawer when we are finished. Some of the words slipped out and I am pretty sure there are many still stuck in the corners of the drawer.

As I was trying to find all the little word pieces, I came across some Command hooks our custodian scored from 3M this summer (they donate tons of supplies to all our local schools). I didn't want to hang them up on the wall because I figured it would actually make my room look even more cluttered. Then it hit me. Literally...I hit my head on the cupboard door I had left open. (I have a bad habit of leaving them open...just ask my husband.)

Voila—such a simple solution, but I can't believe how much drawer space it frees up. The best part: I won't have to dig through them anymore to pick up all the little word pieces that fell out of the baggies.

If you are curious about the activity I shared with my students today, I will be uploading it later this week—or tomorrow if we have a snow day—on my teacherspayteachers site. :) I wanted to try it out with my students first and I thought it went over really well. And since I was evaluated by my principal during the activity, I'll keep you posted on what he thought of it, too.

UPDATE - Evaluation was excellent and my activity, which has students evaluate an author's word choices by analyzing the syntax, is posted (click on image):

Please post ways that you use Command hooks (or any other methods you have for organization). I love to hear new ideas. (And I need the help!)

One last tip (though I'm not sure this helps with my organization, but I hate wasting paper!): I reuse the daily calendar pages as passes or notes for students. I have a little desk tote that Scholastic Book Clubs sent that I keep the ripped-off pages in. Then when I need to write a pass or a note, I use one of those instead.

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Read more about my journey here: http://www.traceeorman.com/2014/01/classroom-dis-organization-organizing.html

and here: http://www.traceeorman.com/2014/03/classroom-organization-update-make-up.html

Using Jessie J's Song "Domino" to Teach Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

My lesson using Katy Perry's song "Firework" has been such a hit with teachers (and students) that it only seems right to keep making additional activities like this for teachers (and myself).*

My latest is using Jessie J's song "Domino." It's another upbeat, get-you-ready-for-the-day type of song. It does, however, use the word "damn," so teachers will have to use their own discretion on whether they want to use it with their students. Also, the lyrics may be too mature for your students; I list it as 9-12, but you should look up the lyrics first and use your best judgement for your students.

It covers the following different poetic devices:
    • true rhyme
    • alliteration
    • onomatopoeia
    • assonance
    • anaphora
and figurative language:
    • simile
    • metaphor
    • personification
    • hyperbole
    • allusion

Because it is a priced product, it does include more than my "Firework" lesson. There are two separate handouts for differentiation: one will be more guided, asking students to pick out particular examples in each section. The other is more like "Firework," asking students to find the examples on their own.

It also includes a list of the terms & definitions for students. You can project the page & have them copy them down, or give each a copy. A separate teacher's guide is included with Common Core alignment, directions, and a detailed answer key. 

Do you have any suggested songs for lessons? If so, comment below to let me know.

*I actually have a a packet of songs that I paired with poems with similar themes to help students understand the meaning of poems, found here.

Use Popular Music to Teach Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Song lyrics are perfect for teaching figurative language!

To engage your students, you need to know what they like. What books do they like to read? What movies do they like to see? What do they do in their free time? What kind of music do they like?

Having a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year is a great way to find out more about them. I like to have them create a collage mobile with their answers (more on that in another post). But this allows me to gauge what their interests are so I can create lessons that will, hopefully, engage them.

One of my favorite lessons for teaching figurative language & poetry devices is using popular song lyrics. I play the song for them in class & let them listen to the lyrics. Then I give them the handout and play the song again. As they listen, they pick out the devices they see and hear. I have been known to play a song three or four times (with all apologies to my nearest colleagues) so students can find all the "sound" devices.

I use this lesson (scroll down) for Katy Perry's "Firework" as one example. Depending on the level of your students, you may want them to find additional devices/examples or fewer. I use this with grade 10 and most were able to find at least 80 percent of the devices. What they couldn't find, I prompted with hints, then pointed out to them.


The copy on TPT has recent updates. You may download there free. If you like this lesson, please take a moment to leave positive feedback: Tracee's Firework Lesson Feedback

If you like this activity, check out ALL my lessons that incorporate popular music!

  - NEW! Roar by Katy Perry Figurative Language & Poetry Devices Review Activity

  - One Direction Song Lyrics Poetry Activity
  - Poetry Terms Presentation Using Song Lyrics
  - Poetry & Song Lyrics Comparison Activity
  - Domino by Jessie J Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Activity (9-12--use your own discretion)
  - We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel Art Prints & Activity

ANOTHER NEW ACTIVITY:

"Wake Me Up" by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

...more coming soon!

You can find ALL my song lyric activities in my Poetry Resources Mega Bundle: a collection of EVERYTHING I've created for teaching poetry, figurative language, and more. Plus, it will include everything I WILL create in the future. Get it now before the price increases!

Download the UPDATED version of "Firework" on TpT HERE.
Using Katy Perry's "Firework" to Identify Figurative Language & Poetry Devices