Are you an English teacher looking to create an anti-racist writing workshop that prioritizes student voices and celebrates diversity? Look no further than "The Antiracist Writing Workshop" by Felicia Rose Chavez. In this episode, Amanda provides a detailed review and valuable insights on how to transform the traditional writing workshop model. From creating a safe and inclusive environment to incorporating mindfulness and reflection, this episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing student agency and building partnerships with students. Tune in and learn how to create a student-centered workshop that fosters camaraderie and celebrates the collective power of diverse voices. Purchase the entire Social Justice and Equity Book Talk Series here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda shares her summer plans and introduces a series of episodes where she provides overviews of eight books on educational equity and social justice that she read in 2021. She also offers a toolkit for teachers that includes editable planning tools, charts, posters, mentor texts, assessment tools, and conferencing tools. Amanda then discusses the book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain" by Zaretta Hammond, which focuses on moving students toward becoming independent learners, especially marginalized students or students of color. She highlights the importance of cultural awareness and establishing trust with students.

Purchase all the equity book talks and notes here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda introduces her new course, The Empowered English Classroom, which aims to increase student engagement through equitable teaching practices. The host discusses the Empowered English Classroom framework, which includes steps for increasing student engagement, implementing equitable grading practices, and developing a systematic planning system. Amanda emphasizes the importance of building relationships, avoiding biases, and adapting teaching methods to meet students' needs. The course starts on June 3rd, and teachers who sign up will receive all the necessary resources to implement the framework.

In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the negative impact of shaming kids and ourselves for screen use. She argues that screens can have benefits for neurodivergent individuals and others seeking community, and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a safe environment for students to communicate with each other in the classroom. Amanda also shares her personal experiences with therapy and the harmful effects of labeling behaviors as "good" or "bad." She suggests having conversations with children to understand their screen use and interests, discussing internet safety with them, and incorporating screen time into the classroom. Amanda concludes by emphasizing the importance of not shaming children for their screen use and creating a supportive environment for them instead.

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda discusses how to handle apathetic and defiant students in the classroom. She shares her personal experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child and suggests a collaborative approach that involves building relationships with students and engaging them in conversation about their behavior and the impact it might be having on others. Amand emphasizes the importance of explaining the purpose of classroom work and valuing students’ intelligence and bright spirits. She also encourages teachers to have heart-to-heart conversations with the whole class or specific groups of students to address the classroom environment and highlights how overloading students with constant work may be exacerbating the mental health crisis among students and adults.

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda shares that she is currently enrolled in a mindfulness and meditation teacher program and leads a guided meditation for teachers called "Dropping the Suitcases of Worries and Regrets" to help them reduce anxiety and let go of feelings of not doing enough for their students. Amanda instructs listeners to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down and relax their bodies, and guides them through a visualization exercise where they drop their worries and regrets. Amanda concludes by reminding listeners that they are enough and have everything they need in the present moment.

Are you looking for fun and engaging writing projects for your students at the end of the school year? Look no further! In this episode, I share five writing projects that will keep your students motivated and excited about writing until the last day of school. You can recreate these projects yourself using Google Docs and Slides or purchase them below. You can find information about all the projects on my website here: https://amandawritenow.com/podcast/

Any English teacher can tell you that argumentative essays written by students are more often than not, dry, dull, and formulaic. I’m here to tell you, it’s not our students’ fault. The writing units most teachers follow to teach argument essays are dry, dull, and formulaic.

Common core standards require that teachers prioritize the core concepts of argument writing such as the writing process, thesis statement, claim statement, reasoning, evidence, and the annotated bibliography. Teachers have to use a step-by-step process because students need these foundations.

In all the years I’ve been an English teacher I have found that writing surpasses expectations when students have a purpose for writing and are given permission to write with voice and passion about high-interest topics. Listen to learn about 8 high interest argumentative articles (mentor texts) you can use with your students tomorrow. Each article includes possible writing skills you could teach as well as discussion questions!

Support this podcast (you'll benefit too, I promise) by purchasing high quality resources that increase student engagement, promote equity, and are editable here: https://amandawritenow.com/shop/

Rules dictate so much of our lives in schools. But, so many of the rules we follow in schools are extremely outdated and even oppressive. These rules need to be questioned and changed. In this off the cuff episode I share steps for teachers who are ready to start taking rule breaking and action taking seriously. Even if you aren't, which I totally respect and understand, this episode is definitely worth a listen.

Over the years I've learned that the first lesson of an argumentative writing unit is key to the success of the entire unit. The first lesson needs to accomplish a lot, so it's hard to do it right. Argumentative writing can also become boring fast. I want to help you save planning time and boost engagement through the lesson plans I create. I believe argumentative essay writing can be motivating for young writers and simple to plan for teachers. In this episode, I've put together a five day plan that I believe is the absolute best way to start any argumentative writing unit.