“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”  Eudora Welty

My son is four months told today so, naturally, I took the obligatory photo to mark his growth and compare it to the previous three months.  It’s fun and at the moment, he’s enjoying it.  Unlike, the millions of school photos being taken all over the country right around now.  Picture day:  The most awkward day of the school year.  

Here.  I have proof. 

Just look at the awkwardness of this seventh-grade photo.  So awkward.  So 90s when, thankfully, very few of us overthought our appearance.  I was, clearly, not one of those few overthinkers, hahaha.  That moment is welcome to run away.

Picture day, at least in the two districts I have worked for, always goes through the ELA classes.  In fact, every mandatory anything goes through the ELA classes, which is rather frustrating because it creates awkwardness and imbalance in the day’s schedule.  

So, for those fall disruptions, be it picture day or class ring presentations (literally possibly the biggest time waster) or school, grade-level expectation meetings, here are some ELA lessons for a shortened period.  These short and sweet resources will help keep students engaged with standards and learning during those awkward, activity-type days!

Or, if you just want a solid short story lesson on adolescent awkwardness, here’s a full unit for “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros, too.

Happy Teaching!

M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.

These girls take no awkward pictures!  Canine perfection!