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Tiff4Tat is back with a fresh vision and renewed focus. Stay tuned for a formal welcome on Tuesday! 

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Middle Grade Monday: Nonfiction, Invigorating, Interactive, Gritty

Suggestions for middle grade teaching tips like Blackout Poetry, an Escape Room, and much more I don’t write enough about nonfiction, especially for upper elementary and middle grade readers. At NCTE’s 2024 convention – Heart, Hope, & Humanity – I had the great fortune to listen to authors and educators share great books and teaching tips around three nonfiction books.  Why Longform Nonfiction?  Excellent middle grade nonfiction acts in certain ways for readers. It invigorates readers, it provides interactive opportunities for students, and it’s often personal and gritty for readers of all ages.  When the writing is really good, it gets to the point quickly, which is something young readers can engage with immediately. The great books are invitations into other worlds and the topics get kids excited about concepts and reading.  What follows are three books for any reader interested in courageous nonfiction that offers tons of information. Educators: read to the e...
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This Thing Called Wrestling: A Poem for Moms (Version B, no pictures)

A wrestling poem for our daughters and sons In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight,  Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting their dreams, hearing wrestling sounds. In the face of setbacks and moments of doubt, Moms o...
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Middle Grade Mondays: A Weekly Adventure in Books

Lovers of middle grade books know their transformative power.  Geared toward readers ages 8-12, middle grade stories create a bridge for readers between early chapter books and young adult novels (for more about differences between the types of books, read this Writer’s Digest article).  While the age range does not equate to the age of middle schoolers, the purposes behind middle grade books and what middle school students might learn are often the same: encourage empathy, boost literacy skills, and foster critical thinking.  Recent Middle School Gems to Explore At the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English annual convention, the award committee of the Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children named a winner, five honor books, and eight recommended books. What follows are three middle grade Honor books. ( Link HERE for the complete list of winners ).  Middle Grade Honor Books This novel-in-verse fosters empathy by addressing topics of poverty,...
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