Your April 2021 Teacher's Guide
Dear Teachers,
I wanted to point out a can’t-miss highlight of this issue: our adaptation of the Jason Reynolds short story “The Broom Dog.” We are beyond grateful to Jason for trusting us to make this delightful piece of fiction even more accessible for your striving readers, and we encourage you to extend the learning journey with some help from our online archives.
Here are three ways to use Action Digital for skills practice:
1- Read “The Superstar Author,” our short Mini-Read Q&A with Jason.
2- Analyze “Characters,” his powerful haiku about why our words on social media matter.
3- Watch a video with Jason’s writing tips—then ask students to start their own story!
You can find these resources by searching for “Jason Reynolds” at Action Digital or through the links in the story’s lesson plan. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
Warmly,
Kim Tranell, Editorial Director
Looking for the Digital Resouce Guide that came with your print issue? Click here!
Ready to get started? Here are our favorite teaching packages this month:
In the News: Is Gaming Good for You?
Learn why gaming is on the rise and what that means for teens.
Nonfiction: The Killer Smog
Read about one of the deadliest environmental disasters in history.
True Teen: Kheris Fights Back
Meet a teen who turned being bullied into an opportunity to lift people up.
Read-Aloud Fiction: The Broom Dog
Analyze a powerful short story by author Jason Reynolds.
Paired Texts: Nugget Nation/Mac and Cheese Mania
Compare the surprising origin stories of two popular foods.
Debate: To Post or Not to Post?
Weigh the pros and cons of posting a video of someone behaving badly.