English Language and Literature Commons^™

Creative Writing Pedagogy: Building Curriculum For High School Students, Elizabeth Lengel

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis serves as a rationale for the creative writing pedagogy I use and how it serves my high school creative writing class. As my school district made the decision to overhaul our English curriculum, the English department decided to add Creative Writing as an English class elective.

The work for planning these new classes was spread around the English Department, and I was assigned to design the curriculum for the new Creative Writing class. Designing an entire class from scratch leaves a lot of room for creativity and innovation. However, as excited for this new course as I was, …

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

English 890: Advanced Research Methods, A First Benchmark Portfolio, Janel Simons

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In this benchmark portfolio, I reflect on course design and student learning in a course I teach for incoming Master's students in the English department, ENGL 890: Advanced Research Methods. ENGL 890 is a mini-session course intended to introduce students to various aspects of managing graduate-level research within the discipline of English studies. In this portfolio, I discuss the learning outcomes and goals for the course, highlight some of the assessments I use, reflect on student learning throughout the course, and articulate changes that might improve student learning in future iterations of the course. Given the overarching goals of this …

"I'M Really Just Scared Of The White Parents": A Teacher's Perceptions Of Barriers To Discussing Racial Injustice, Shimikqua Elece Ellis, Christian Goering

Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose - This study explores the perceived barriers that a Secondary English teacher faced when attempting to discuss racial injustice through young adult literature in Mississippi.

Design/methodology/approach- The authors rely on Critical Whiteness Studies and qualitative methods to explore the following research question: What are the barriers that a White ELA teacher perceives when teaching about racial injustice through The Hate U Give?

Findings- The authors found that there were several perceived barriers to discussing modern racial injustice in the Mississippi ELA classroom. The participating teacher indicated the following barriers: a lack of racial literacy, fears of discomfort, and an …

Educating The Whole Person: Materials From Our Mini Course, Michelle Hayford, Megan Donelson

Pilot Course: Educating the Whole Person

In this document, the instructors provide their own reflections on the course as well as teaching activities and student reflections.

Forbidden Forests: Negotiating Censorship In Children's And Young Adult Literature During A New Era Of Conservatism In 2022 And Beyond, Avila Hendricks

Title III Professional Development Reports

Harambee! In Swahili, “Harambee” means “All pull together!” The impetus for this report grew out of a unifying discussion with other 2022 Children's Literature Association (ChLA) conference attendees.These discussions led to the decision to “pull together” against the rise of “extreme” conservatism and the increase of banned books across the United States.

This report offers insight into some of the issues surrounding the increase in censorship in children's and young adult literature. It includes a brief review of the recently scrutinized book, Dear Martin by Nic Stone, and it concludes with some recommendations for negotiating censorship in conservative communities.

Writing Center Resources, Samantha Hince

Honors Projects

This project facilitated the composition of a series of resources for the Bridgewater College Writing Center website, part of the MyBC online portal. The result was thirty resources on writing-related topics such as the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revising; citation styles and avoiding plagiarism; and grammar, mechanics, and style. These resources are available to Bridgewater College students, faculty, and staff. The primary purpose of these resources is to assist Writing Center tutors during tutoring sessions with students and to provide supplemental writing assistance for students. Project development was based on research into college writing centers and best practices …

The Effects Of Remote Teaching Pedagogy On Online Writing Instruction, Natalie Henriquez

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will investigate the development of online writing instruction and the new innovations or adaptations that were created to cope with the online learning environment during the pandemic. I conducted interviews with four Writing & Rhetoric professors from Florida International University. The interviews I conduct for this thesis focused on the experience that these professors had and how they faced certain challenges along the way such as building an online community and promoting communication and collaboration in the online classroom. I argue that the themes of mindfulness, flexibility, balance, community, and empathy that were found in the interviews are …

Monarch Butterfly., Bermudez J. Ferrell

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit covers the migration of the monarch butterflies from Michoacan, Mexico, to the Northern parts of America. This Monarch Butterfly unit is geared toward WIDA level 3: developing or CEFR B2 English language learners in middle school or high school. The primary focus of this unit is reading and writing; however, the last day has a speaking activity. The scaffolding for reading included in this unit are pre-readings, during-reading activities, and vocabulary acquisition worksheets. The unit’s content goes over an introductory section, followed by an article, finally wrapping up with a cause and effect activity and tips students can …

Emperor Penguins, Dan Wu

ESL for Academic Purposes

The purpose of this unit is to develop students’ English skills and familiarize them with emperor penguins. The topic of the unit is about emperor penguins. Students will be able to learn the basic information of the species and its huddle behavior, incubating and parenting, as well as human impact on the species. The unit is designed for intermediate level ESL or EFL pre-academic students on the A2-B1 level of the CEFR scale. The assessments involve pair work, group work and individual tasks, through which students will be able to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Implementing Digital Portfolios To Document The Writing Process, Patricia George

Open Educational Resources

Implementing digital portfolios to document the writing process offers students a way to curate an exhibit of their work. The Google Sites application provides online spaces for students to upload permanent artifacts. It is user friendly and provides a visual document of student growth over the course of a semester. By publishing drafts and revisions, students are reminded of the progress they have made as writers. In addition, using visual approaches to organizing work also assists students with time management.

Silent Film: A Visual Narrative For Developing Linguistic Competence, Patricia George

Open Educational Resources

Visual narratives in silent films are an effective method for developing linguistic competence in English language education and are equally constructive in developing critical thinking skills across disciplines. “Silent film, more than any other film property, capitalizes on ESL students’ visual literacy, using it as both a foundation and a catalyst for honing the verbal language skills that are key to acquiring and articulating complex knowledge in English” (Kasper and Singer, 2001). Silent films rely on the power of vivid, interactive visual imagery to depict personal struggles, character interactions, and plot development. This medium grabs the attention of ESL students …

Poetry Beyond The Page: A Case For Spoken Word Poetry In Florida's Secondary Classrooms, Sarah Matherly

Senior Honors Theses

Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards, Florida’s most recent K-12 educational standards to promote literacy, lack the rising art of Spoken Word Poetry. However, Florida’s Department of Education should integrate Spoken Word into Florida’s Secondary curriculum. Spoken Word Poetry, by its definition, holds researched benefits that align with the B.E.S.T. Standard’s poetry recommendations and literacy-centered goals. In light of such benefits, Florida’s Department of Education should consider various Spoken Word poets and poems to include in Florida’s Secondary Curriculum, as well as explore the resources and integration methods included in this thesis for both teachers and students.

Erasing Student Debt: Slowly But Surely, Roberta Harris

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Furthering your education intends to be the golden ticket when forming the basis of a successful life. Investing in college can have both positive and negative effects regarding where it leads a student in life. Positive aspects include increased job opportunities, higher salaries and wages, as well as a better quality of living. However, rising college costs bring debatable questions as to how students can become better equipped to face this path in life. In order to resolve the student debt crisis, there is need for educators to develop a better system in communicating financial literacy and life skills their …

Autism: The Life Of Present And Future, Jong Moon Kim

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit addresses people with autism and the inherent characteristics and struggles people affected by autism strive to overcome. Students can understand the traits of autism, the challenges autistic people have, and ways to support them. The unit is aimed at English Language Learners and is written to help ELLs learn more autism and the people who live with autism. Also, it is useful for teenagers and adults living with people who are autistic. It is intended for secondary school students with a B1 level on the CEFR scale. Students can improve their academic vocabulary related to autism, reading, listening, …

Forgotten History: The Stonewall Riots, Kaitlin Comfort

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit covers the underrepresented history of LGBTQ+ people in the United States by exploring the landmark event: The Stonewall Riots. It primarily focuses on listening and writing domains supported by jigsaw and vocabulary acquisition activities. The use of prepositions, identifying supporting details, and summarizing are also covered. As a final project, students will have the chance to explore an underrepresented event from their own culture. This unit is targeted at high school, college, or adult students at a B2 level or higher on the CEFR scale and incorporates the use of technology. The content in the unit will serve …

The Unknown Heroes Of Wwii, Okumura Melissa

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit introduces ESL students to the history of the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), its students, and their contributions as English-Japanese translators and interpreters during WWII. It is intended to be used as a U.S. history unit in an ESL context for high school and college students. It is designed for EL learners at a CEFR B2—C1 Level. The goal of the exercises in this unit are to introduce historical academic vocabulary, develop students’ reading and listening comprehension about a historical topic, and explore the cultural complexities of the MISLS students’ lives through writing, speaking, and visual projects. …

Che Guevara: Hero Or Villain?, Alberto Ramos

ESL for Academic Purposes

This integrated unit covers the life and political ideology of the revolutionary Che Guevara. This unit is intended for B2 CEFR ESL or EFL college students. By engaging in this unit, students will enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. Students will be engaged and challenged to think critically about current political issues and how to become more responsible global citizens.

Climate Vocabulary, A Minnesota Experience, Eve Thao

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit explores the four seasons in the state of Minnesota, United States of America. The goal of this unit is to introduce various climate-related vocabulary to ELL’s, while providing them with an opportunity to describe climate in their own words and usage in real or authentic conversations. The preferred audience for this unit is young adult English Language Learners ages 18-21, in either the ESL or EFL context. This unit is best suited for students with an ELL proficiency level of A2 based on the CEFR scale.

Chief Joseph, Eric Daeuber

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit introduces ESL and EFL students to the ongoing struggle between the Indigenous people of the Unites States and the United States federal government with reference to the events of the Nez Perce War of 1877 and the leader of the Nez Perce, Chief Joseph. The unit is aimed at young adult and adult learners at the B2 level with 93% of the vocabulary included in the first 1000 most used English words. Exercises use contemporary readings as well as archival material to cover vocabulary topics such as long definitions as well as structural elements such as finding the …

Volcanoes., Frances H. Goldsmith

ESL for Academic Purposes

This learning unit explores the basic information about volcanoes from a scientific and safety perspective. This unit is intended for a beginning to middle level ESL or EFL course intended for elementary school students on the A2 level of the CEFR scale. With this unit, students are able to work on their skills including vocabulary, writing, speaking, and be able to conduct hands-on activities. This includes a blend of individual work, group work, and physical activities. The purpose of this unit is to teach students more about volcanoes in a simple, yet engaging style.

Writing Priorities Across Academic Disciplines, Ashley Conway

Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts and Research Projects (SCARP)

This project examines the writing priorities of varied disciplines at Elizabethtown College to better understand what they value in student writing. A survey sent to faculty collected discipline-specific writing concerns and information about writing requirements beyond foundational courses. It also gathered thoughts on how EN100, Etown’s introductory English composition course, supports or fails upper-level writing. Follow-up interviews were conducted with select faculty. Faculty responded that sentence mechanics errors, paragraphs that lack unity or feel disorganized, failure to find effective sources when needed, and lack of clarity at the word or sentence level were the most problematic common writing errors when …

Educating For Global Competence: Co-Constructing Outcomes In The Field: An Action Research Project, Kristina A. Van Winkle

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Capacity building for globally competent educators is a 21st Century imperative to address contemporary complex and constantly changing challenges. This action research project is grounded in positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship, relational cultural theory, and relational leadership practices. It sought to identify adaptive challenges educators face as they try to integrate globally competent teaching practices into their curricula, demonstrate learning and growth experienced by the educators in this project, and provide guidance and solutions to the challenges globally competent educators face. Six educators participated in this three-phase project, which included focus groups, reflective journal entries, and an exit interview. Data …

I Told You That To Tell You This: Metagaming And Metacognition In The Hybrid Classroom, Marc A. Ouellette

English Faculty Publications

This paper theorizes the use of play and gamified methods to foster metacognition, or strategies for learning and learning about learning, in online graduate instruction. In the process, it calls into question the determinism of “serious” games as being the only means of facilitating metacognition. Ultimately, by adopting metagame approaches—that is, approaches based on0 goals and achievements that are external to the game and/or are developed by the players themselves—metacognition can and does occur because students participate in the development of the rewards. Moreover, any metagame feature ultimately becomes a commentary so that an approach based on metagaming offers its …

K-Pop Culture: The Success Of Bts, Shinjung Kim

ESL for Academic Purposes

This unit addresses several factors behind the great success of BTS, a Korean boy idol group, all over the world, while providing the opportunity for learners to reflect upon themselves. This unit is intended for English language learners in either as an ESL and EFL context. The unit will be of most interest to teenagers and young adults. Learners should have a B1 level of proficiency or higher. By working through the unit, learners will increase their academic vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

Superstitions From Around The World, Annie Espinal

ESL for Academic Purposes

This open educational resource is a lesson for students who are studying English in a multicultural classroom. This specific unit, Superstition, is meant for intermediate ESL learners, with an A2 level on the CEFR scale. The goal of this unit is to encourage students to share about their own cultures, comparing and exchanging various superstitions and beliefs from their countries, and to help develop multiple language skills like reading, speaking, and listening, while engaging in different activities.

Bob Marley, Danayit Desalegn

ESL for Academic Purposes

This integrated unit covers the life of a cultural icon and a famous Reggae artist, Bob Marley. The unit is intended for an advanced ESL or EFL listening and speaking course. It will be most engaging to young adults and adult learners. Learners should have a B2/C1 level of proficiency or higher on the CEFR language scale. By engaging with this unit, learners will enhance their academic vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, critical thinking, listening, and speaking skills. This unit is intended to increase students' cultural awareness of a popular music genre and Rastafarianism.

Comparing Human Communication And Animal Communication, Firas Ismail

ESL for Academic Purposes

What is language? People might say that humans are not the only living beings that use language. The types of communication that animals use is definitely useful and does meet some of the same goals as human speech, but it is not truly language. What are these differences in communication that separate humans from animals, and why are they important. This is the topic of the unit, which encourages not only practical applications of language use (Vocabulary, Reading, Writing, Grammar Usage, Speaking, and Listening), but also critical thinking on the concept of language itself. This unit tries to encourage metalinguistic …

Salvadoran Food: Pupusas, Nelson Morales Vasquez

ESL for Academic Purposes

The unit presents a delicious combination between Salvadoran cuisine and Language learning activities. The unit is intended for a cultural lesson in an EAP program and it provides a glance into the history of Salvadoran cuisine, Pupusas. Learner should have B2 level of proficiency or higher. By working through the unit, learners will be able to not only explain what Pupusas are, but also describe how to make them. It includes three projects that can be carried out to deepen and assess leaners’ understanding of this unit.

Music In World Cultures: Flamenco Unit, Whitney Krogstad-Yambrick

ESL for Academic Purposes

This is a content-based course called Music in World Cultures. The course is meant to educate students on international music genres. This specific unit presents the flamenco dance. It is intended for adult learners of English with a B2 level on the CEFR scale. The goal of this unit is to inform students about the flamenco and to encourage them to think critically.