Calling academic language “the lifeblood of learning in all classes,” Jeff Zwiers describes how focusing on language use will lead to improved student achievement. Then he shows teachers how to help build it, says reviewer Mara Southorn.
When students are challenged to “close read” a movie, they must not only learn how to deconstruct the story, they must also understand the many techniques that are used by filmmakers to create the total effect, says expert Frank Baker.
“I’ve been accumulating guiding principles for creating highly motivating homework assignments for many years,” writes expert Rick Wormeli. “Here are a baker’s dozen. Choose the ones most appropriate for students’ learning goals and your curriculum.”
Sarah Tantillo has taken her 2012 book, The Literacy Cookbook, to the next level, adding flavor-enhancing Common Core ingredients to the mix. Reviewer Linda Biondi reports Literacy and the Common Core: Recipes for Action “deserves a five star rating.”
Book Reviews / Student Driven Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/03/2014 · Last modified 11/18/2019
New teachers and veterans alike will find plenty to emulate in Marsha Ratzel’s Teaching in High Gear, which reflects upon her journey to a connected, student-driven classroom. Ratzel’s creation of her own PLN is also instructive, says reviewer Julie Ron.
After lots of looking reviewer Judi Holst has found just the book she needs to learn how to flip effectively in her English classes. She highly recommends Troy Cockrum’s new book for its easy-to-follow steps and adaptable lesson plans.
Editors from The Center for Courage & Renewal introduce four short essays from a new book, Teaching with Heart, each written by an educator who reflects on an inspirational poem. Re-energize yourself as you begin to prepare for the new school year!
Teaching experts Annette Breaux & Todd Whitaker are back with more teaching ideas from the 2nd edition of Seven Simple Secrets. This time it’s advice on keeping instruction real for today’s students. Read the classroom tales of Teacher A & Teacher B.
David Booth’s Caught in the Middle is one of those rare books that truly has the capacity to help a teacher carve out a roadmap for a successful year of working with middle school readers and writers, says reviewer Jenni Miller.
In Rigor in Your Classroom: A Toolkit for Teachers, Barbara Blackburn has really done her homework, says reviewer Laura Von Staden. It is well referenced, thoroughly investigated and succinct and features tools and resources from teachers across the country.
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