Crysta's Classroom

Use the IB Command Terms of Identify, Interpret, and Evaluate to help students see the pieces of text analysis. Each column includes a guiding question to support students as they find evidence and practice analysis. The language in the graphic organizer is broad enough to allow for analysis of written texts, visual texts, and multimedia texts.

Analyze the language of film or tv with the same precision you analyze a written text! I love using this graphic organizer with my students when we compare and contrast scenes in a film adaptation of a book we've read. (Therefore this graphic organizer includes a row for "plot differences" which can be ignored if using without a second text.) The graphic organizer has spaces for notes, which students fill out as they watch, as well as a space for "possible effect on audience," which they can fil

For those students who struggle to organize their ideas into cohesive sentences and paragraphs! This fill-in-the-blank sheet gives a clear organizational structure with an example for how to give context and integrate a quote, include the quote with citation, then add commentary/analysis specific to the language or style of the quote.

Each day in each class, my students and I begin with Appreciations. I am indebted to Puget Sound Community School, where I first learned this practice. For those who wish to cultivate a culture of sharing and kindness in their classrooms and communities, this is a short description of the activity and moderation notes. Appreciations works great with all age levels, in mixed groups or in single-grade classrooms. It's also a great way to start staff meetings!