How to Teach English in Middle & Secondary Schools

Teaching English to middle- and high-school students invokes a curriculum rich with reading, writing, listening and speaking--although not necessarily in that order. English and language arts standards in every state include these important threads. Add in a dose of technology, thanks to to its influence on our students' thinking and doing in the 21st century. The teaching of classic literature such as "Beowulf" or Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is an effective way to differentiate instruction through reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection
• Copy of "Beowulf"
• Copy of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales"
• Interactive whiteboard

1. Reading the epic poem "Beowulf" or one of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" together as a class in middle or high school can help students develop an understanding of the connection between Early, Middle and Modern English. Have discussions about the literary devices alliteration and meter. After reading parts of of it, and through translation (writing) and discussion (speaking), have students provide feedback to one another on their interpretations (listening).

2. Differentiate the curriculum. Form student groups and have each group read a section of "Beowulf" or of the "Canterbury Tales" to identify alliteration and meter using a guiding document that explains what they are. Have students act out sections to give mini-presentations of their interpretations. Students can confirm and clarify their understanding, while playing with the language actively. Students are used to multitasking; keep them moving through activities that involve this type of interaction.

3. Integrate technology. Take students to a website to listen to a reading in Early English at http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/Beowulf.Readings.html. or http://www.umm.maine.edu/faculty/necastro/chaucer/translation/. Students can write translations in pairs. Afterward, they can use an interactive whiteboard to write and edit their translations collaboratively.

4. Instruct students to write their own epic poems or tale using alliteration and meter. Brainstorm ideas as a class, then pair students to nail down ideas.

5. Have students begin writing a first draft. Instruct them to read their draft to a peer for feedback using the peer coaching method. Students will work through the writing process to produce a final draft. Produce a final class reading to culminate the entire range of reading, writing, listening and speaking for the 21st century.

References

• An Introduction to Beowulf
• Readwritethink.org
• University of Virginia

Resources

• National Council of Teachers of English
• Beowulf Teacher Resources
• eChaucer