by KATE Pages Editors

As we approach the end of another academic year, it's time to reflect on the incredible dedication of our English Language Arts teachers in the state of Kansas. They have worked tirelessly through the challenges posed by the pandemic, adapting to new teaching methods, and ensuring that their students continue to receive a high-quality education.

That's why KATE is excited to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with an online event dedicated to recognizing ELA educators. This event will provide an opportunity to thank teachers for their hard work, learn more about KATE, and – perhaps – win a scholarship!

The event will be held on May 6th, and all ELA educators in Kansas are invited to attend. Zoom details will be provided closer to the event. By replying "GOING" to the virtual event, attendees will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes:

• Grand Prize: a scholarship to the 2023 Fall KATE Conference, including membership for the 2023-2024 school year.
• 2nd Prize: a free one-year membership for the 2023-2024 school year.
• 3rd Prize: free entry to 2023 KATE Camp on June 21st!

But that's not all. Attendees can earn more entries into the drawing by liking and sharing the event, as well as tagging teacher friends on the official event post.

The grand prize of a scholarship to the KATE conference is a fantastic opportunity for ELA educators to learn from experts, connect with other teachers, and enhance their teaching skills. This scholarship is worth $180 but does not include travel or lodging.

The 2nd prize of a free membership for the upcoming school year is a fantastic way to access KATE resources, which include webinars, professional development, and access to a community of educators who are passionate about teaching English Language Arts.

Finally, the 3rd prize of free entry to the KATE Camp on June 21st is an excellent opportunity for teachers to explore new teaching methods, network with colleagues, and learn more about KATE.

We hope you'll participate in our Teacher Appreciation Celebration and share it with your colleagues, friends and family! To participate, interact with the event on Facebook!

​by KATE PAGES Editors

​April is National Poetry Writing Month, also known as NaPoWriMo, and it's the perfect time for teachers to inspire their students to explore the world of poetry. The Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) is providing free lesson plans for members for every day of the month, making it easy for teachers to incorporate poetry into their lesson plans.

KATE's National Poetry Writing Month lesson plans were created by Voices of Kansas Editor April Pameticky and KATE President Nathan Whitman. They have designed a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of poetry forms, including haiku, tanka, ekphrastic, sonnets, free verse, American cinquain, the golden shovel, onion poetry, imagism, villanelle, concrete, and more.

The lesson plans are available for free on the KATE website, and teachers can use them as a starting point to create their own unique lessons based on the needs of their students. Each lesson includes a detailed description of the poetry form, an example of the form, and step-by-step instructions for students to follow. The lessons also encourage students to read and analyze poetry by other authors, providing them with a deeper understanding of the craft.

The lesson plans are designed for students of all ages, from elementary school to high school, and are adaptable to different skill levels (read carefully before using!). The lessons can be completed in one class period or can be extended over several days, depending on the complexity of the form being studied.

KATE's National Poetry Writing Month lesson plans provide a fun and engaging way for students to explore the world of poetry, and they offer teachers a valuable resource for integrating poetry into their lesson plans. By using these lesson plans, teachers can inspire their students to become more creative and confident writers, while also fostering a love of poetry that can last a lifetime.

Lesson plans can be found on the KATE Archives, accessed by using your members-only password found in our monthly newsletter!