Brave New TeachingEntertainment News

Brave New Teaching


Brave New Teaching: A Podcast for High School and Middle School Teachers

THE NOVELS IN VERSE COLLECTION: Supplemental and Alternative Text Ideas [Ep 246]

Thu, 20 Feb 2025

We’re in the middle of our novels in verse series and so far we’ve talked about the possibilities that come with a novels in verse unit, essential questions, and gateway activities.Now it’s time to get into our favorite part…supplemental ideas! 

Get ready to hear creative ways to supplement The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. We focus on the essential question: Which is more important, knowing your story or telling it? And we discuss key themes that can help students connect more deeply with the novel and their own experiences.

You’ll hear a mix of literary and pop culture resources that can bring these themes to life in fresh and exciting ways. From classic texts to modern music and even moments from film and theatre, these ideas will encourage your students to think critically about storytelling, identity, and self-expression. We also talk about different approaches to integrating these supplementals into a unit without overwhelming students - or teachers!

If you have more ideas for making a novels in verse unit more dynamic and engaging, we would love to hear from you! Send us a message on Instagram @bravenewteaching and join us in Happy Hour, where we share done-for-you resources, new strategies, and a supportive community of teachers like you!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode246

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

THE NOVELS IN VERSE COLLECTION: Gateway Activity Ideas [Ep 245]

Thu, 13 Feb 2025

Ever struggled to get students excited about novels in verse? In this episode, we’re sharing creative, low-pressure ways to ease them into poetry analysis without the overwhelm. With engaging, hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to make storytelling through verse feel accessible and fun from day one. As we always say, a good gateway can make or break a unit! 💥

One of the biggest game-changers is meeting students where they are. By tapping into things they already love, like music and interactive learning, you can help them see the connections between poetry and storytelling in a way that just CLICKS! These strategies not only build confidence, but also set the stage for deeper analysis as the unit unfolds.

We’re also talking about fresh ways to approach perspective and text analysis - ones that get students thinking critically without feeling like another tedious assignment. Whether you’re looking to revamp your novel in verse units or just need a few easy wins, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using right away.

Resources: 

Related Episodes:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode245

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

THE NOVELS IN VERSE COLLECTION: Essential Question Possibilities for The Poet X [Ep 244]

Thu, 06 Feb 2025

Last week, we talked about the possibilities for novels in verse and broke down two approaches to teaching these texts. Today, we’re continuing the conversation using Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X as our guide.

We’re exploring two distinct essential questions that can shape a thoughtful unit - one that focuses on the craft of language and another that taps into the journey of self-discovery. No matter which approach you take, this conversation will help you build a unit that sparks engaging discussions and critical thinking in your students.

The Poet X would be perfect as a read aloud or an opportunity for students to listen to the audiobook! We’ve even created some sketch notes for you as a free resource that students can use while listening. These notes hone in on the essential question that students are focusing on in your unit and can be used with any text. 

Don’t forget to join us in Happy Hour where we’ll provide you with a unit makeover slide deck resource specific to The Poet X!

Resources: 

Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode244

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

THE NOVELS IN VERSE COLLECTION: Unit Possibilities [243]

Thu, 30 Jan 2025

Have you ever considered how novels in verse can transform the way you teach poetry and literature? In this episode, we dive into the world of narrative verse and explore how these texts, like The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, can bring poetry to life in your classroom!

With their accessible format and rich themes, novels in verse offer endless possibilities for fostering student engagement while covering essential literary skills and perspectives. We’re breaking down two powerful approaches to teaching these texts: a skill-based focus and a theme-based focus. Whether you’re filling gaps in poetry instruction or bringing underrepresented voices into your curriculum, both avenues are highly adaptable!

As always, we’re here to support your planning with our best tips and resources for making these units work in your classroom. Be sure to download our free theme notes sheet AND  join us in Happy Hour, because that’s where we’ll be dropping our novels in verse unit for you. We’ll be continuing this conversation in our next episode where we’ll dig into essential questions!

Resources:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode243

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

NEW YEAR AT BNT: New Perspectives on Teaching and Education [Ep 242]

Thu, 23 Jan 2025

Starting a new year in education means facing fresh challenges (and opportunities) with a renewed mindset. In this episode, we’re diving into how ELA teachers can thrive amid changing expectations and pressures.

From prioritizing self-care to balancing the demands of teaching, we’re sharing practical strategies to help you navigate today’s complex classroom dynamics. We’re also unpacking how setting boundaries and fostering strong professional relationships are KEY for self-preservation in the teaching profession.

We’ve got tips for you on making timeless texts more accessible and relevant, like focusing on universal themes and providing modern supplements! Plus, we’re discussing the importance of proactive parent communication - because keeping families in the loop can prevent misunderstandings and build strong partnerships!

Want to dig deeper into how to implement these new perspectives? Join us in our Happy Hour community!

Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode239

Related Episodes:

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

Send Message to Brave New Teaching

Unverified Podcast
Is this your Podcast? Claim It!

Podcaster File Brave New Teaching

Reviews for Brave New Teaching