The BEST English Teaching Resources - On the Wish List 3/3

I love books, any book to do with teaching that could possibly provide some wisdom about learners, about school leadership, about literacy, reading comprehension, writing creatively, and critically, vocabulary improvement, poetry, film. You get the idea! 

Here are a few that I have been eyeing off:

1. 'Digital Games Literacy in Action' Catherine Beavis, Joanne O'Mara, Lisa McNeice $29.95 Published: 2012 EAN: 9 78 1743051 27 6 

http://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product.php?productid=981

Here is the blurb:

Digital Games: Literacy in action is the result of a wide-ranging investigation into the educational possibilities involved in young people's games. From their creation in the classroom to analysing games and the world of games as text, academics and teachers are now taking seriously the serious play of young people.

The contributors use the interaction between the theoretical frameworks of games as text and games as action to explore a wide of range of issues relevant to the teaching of English and literacy. These include understanding games as media texts, the place of digital culture in young people's lives, the narrative and visual design components of games, exploring concepts of role play and identity in games, the potential for games to engage disengaged students, and issues of gender and social interaction in game playing.

Sample Pages

2. '100 Ideas for Secondary Teachers Outstanding English Lessons' Angella Cooze, Mary Myatt $18.16 Published: 2014 EAN: 9 78 1408194 93 5 

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/100-Ideas-for-Secondary-Teachers-Angella-Cooze/9781408194935

http://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product.php?productid=981

This is a text that I buy my Practicum Students, however, I haven't yet had a good look at the new edition! The old one is wonderful - it has lots of practical suggestions, have a peek here!

Here is the blurb:

100 IDEAS: QUICK - EASY - INSPIRED - OUTSTANDING No notice inspections are something every teacher now has to be prepared for. This accessible new book provides strategies to embed into your everyday teaching to ensure your English lessons are consistently outstanding every day, whether you are being observed or not. Dip in and pick an idea to use as a starter or develop a whole lesson plan from the practical, step-by-step activities included. The ideas will help your students develop strong foundation skills in spelling, punctuation, reading and writing as well as learning how to work together, listen to each other, give great presentations and tackle and analyse different types of text. But it's not all about work! There are strategies for inspiring in your class a love of literature and English by delving into a wide variety of texts - poetry, plays, novels, journalism and Shakespeare. There are also ideas to help you improve your teaching practice, tips on how to create the best learning environment for studying English and specific advice on how to cope with those dreaded Ofsted inspections.

Contents: 

Part 1: Setting the scene
Part 2: Ousted expectations
Part 3: Speaking and listening
Part 4: Reading
Part 5: Writing
Part 6: Fiction
Part 7: Non-Fiction
Part 8: Poetry
Part 9: Drama
Part 10: Spelling, punctuation and grammar.

3. 'An Ethic of Excellence' Ron Berger $25.69 Published: 2003 EAN:9 78 0325005 96 6

https://booko.com.au/9780325005966/An-Ethic-of-Excellence

I have been reading up on Ron Berger as he is speaking at a conference I am attending later in the year. I have read the sample pages from this text and it is evident that Berger is a genuine educator with a lot to offer the field. I love the idea of craftsmanship in terms of students' work in all subjects and that a focus on excellent and 'beautiful' work can empower students and lead to great improvements in their learning.

Here is the blurb:

Drawing from his own remarkable experience as a veteran classroom teacher (still in the classroom), Ron Berger gives us a vision of educational reform that transcends standards, curriculum, and instructional strategies. He argues for a paradigm shift - a schoolwide embrace of an "ethic of excellence." A master carpenter as well as a gifted teacher, Berger is guided by a craftsman's passion for quality, describing what's possible when teachers, students, and parents commit to nothing less than the best. But Berger's not just idealistic, he's realistic - he tells exactly how this can be done, from the blackboard to the blacktop to the school boardroom.

Sample Pages

4.  'Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching' Robyn R. Jackson $26.95 Published: 2009 EAN: 978 1 4166 0757 1 http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Never-Work-Harder-Than-Your-Students-and-Other-Principles-of-Great-Teaching.aspx

I found the link to this text in a blog on Pinterest. 

Here is the blurb:

If it ever feels like teaching is just too much hard work, here's a guide that helps you develop a more fluid and automatic way to respond to students and deliver great teaching experiences every time. Using a short set of basic principles and classroom examples that promote reflection, Robyn R. Jackson explains how to develop a master teacher mindset that ensures you 

1. Always know the right questions that lead students to deeper thinking, increased motivation, and more ownership of learning. 
2. Anticipate which areas of a lesson might give students trouble and correct misconceptions before they cause learning problems. 
3. Use effective feedback to show students what they still need to do to reach an objective. 
4. Organize your teaching knowledge into meaningful patterns that become the basis for your core teaching approach. 
5. Find out where you are on your own journey to becoming a master teacher, which steps you need to take to apply the principles of great teaching to your own practice, and how to advance to the next stage of your professional development. Lots of classroom tips, problem-solving advice, and tools to help you begin practicing the book's principles in your classroom right away.

Sample Pages

5. 'Guiding Readers and Writers Grades 3-6 : Teaching Comprehension, Genre, and Content Literacy' Irene Fountas and Gay-Su Pinnell $62.95 Published: 2000 EAN: 9780325003108 https://www.fivesenseseducation.com.au/shop-online/pearson-teacher-resources-online-and-seven-hills-store-only/guiding-readers-and-writers-

When I first saw this text at Five Senses Education I didn't realise it was aimed at Years 3 - 6. After reading the blurb and looking at the contents, I think many aspects would be applicable in a high school context, especially middle school.

Here is the blurb:

The product of many years of work with classroom teachers, Guiding Readers and Writers is one of the most comprehensive, authoritative guides available. It explores all the essential components of a quality literacy program in six separate sections:

• Breakthrough to Literacy: Fountas and Pinnell present the basic structure of the language/literacy program within a breakthrough framework that encompasses the building of community through language, word study, reading, writing, and the visual arts. The framework plays out as three "blocks," which can be interpreted as conceptual units as well as segments of time within the school day. Specific information on how to structure a reading and writing workshop is provided. A practical chapter on organising and managing the classroom will help you implement the principles in your own classroom.
• Independent Reading: It is essential for students to develop interests and tastes as readers, selecting books for themselves every day. Fountas and Pinnell devote four chapters to independent reading, exploring how to structure teaching, mini-lessons, conferences, groupshare, and ways to use response journals as part of a reading workshop. 
• Guided Reading: The chapters in this section provide detailed information on planning for guided reading, dynamic grouping for effective teaching, and selecting, introducing, and using leveled texts. Fountas and Pinnell describe characteristics of texts related to difficulty and ways to organise texts in your classroom and school. 
• Literature Study: This section of the book discusses how to make students’ experiences with literature as rich as possible. The authors offer specific suggestions for forming groups, guiding student choices, and establishing and teaching routines for literature discussion. A full chapter explores reader response and ways to help readers dig deep to uncover the meaning of texts. 
• Teaching for Comprehension and Word Analysis: This detailed look at the reading process explores both oral and silent reading, processes and behaviors related to comprehension, and ways to help students construct meaning. Included are twelve systems for sustaining the reading process and expanding meaning, plus discussions of the important areas of phonics, spelling, and vocabulary. 
• The Reading and Writing Connection: These chapters showcase the instructional contexts—poetry, writer’s notebooks, writer’s talks, genre, content literacy, and student research—that support students in connected reading and writing. An informative overview of the characteristics of fiction and nonfiction will help you teach students to read and write a variety of genre. What’s more, the authors suggest ways to help students learn the "genre" of testing and perform the kinds of reading and writing tasks that tests require. They also detail the continuous thoughtful assessment that guides all aspects of effective teaching. 
• A special feature appears at the end of each section, in which Fountas and Pinnell provide indispensable suggestions for working with struggling readers and writers.

The Study Guide provides an overview of the text, here is another extract.

The BEST English Teaching Resources - Worthwhile Texts for the English Teacher 2/3

Here are some of the texts that I LOVE!

1. 'Edible English' - Judy McLaughlin $27.95 Published: 2012 EAN: 978 1876400798

https://www.fivesenseseducation.com.au/shop-online/secondary-language-and-grammar/edible-english-4th-edition

I have used this text regularly for the past decade. It provides a succinct definition, context, example, and exceptions to the rule (because, let's face it, there's always an exception!). The language in the text is straight forward and it is very useful when putting together materials for students. The author used to have a direct website where the text could be purchased directly but I cannot find it! The text is available from a range of booksellers including Five Senses Education. 

Here is the blurb about 'Edible English' from Five Senses Education:

Edible English: English terminology made easy revises the highly successful Edible English with more definitions and content for Drama, Film, Grammar, Graphics and Visuals, Internet and Computer, Language, Media, Narrative, Poetry and Punctuation Terminology, as well as assessment terms used in Senior English.

The Fourth Edition not only has updated examples, more appendix pages and all the terminology used in Secondary English, but it also addresses a fourth criteria in your studies.

Edible English: The Fourth Edition tells you:

•   WHAT the term is

•   WHEN you'll see it

•   WHY it's used, and now...

•   HOW can you use this info to maximise your marks!

2. 'Literary Terms' - Brian Moon $35.95 Published: 2002 EAN: 1875136 215

http://www.chalkface.net.au/cfbook4.html

I have referred to this text on numerous occasions for teaching aspects of literature to students in Years 7 - 12. The way in which the book is set up makes it easily used to provide extension or aspects can be used to provide enlightenment for both students and teachers. I found this text extremely helpful when developing a unit of work for the new NSW Syllabus for CLIC, that explored ‘ideology,’ ‘perspective,’ and ‘representation.’ Moon’s explanation and accompanying activities are very effective.

Here is the 'Literary Terms' blurb from Chalkface Press:

Now in its second edition, this successful book has been fully revised. Over 20 new terms have been added, including desire, identity, myth, reader positioning, postcolonialism and subjectivity. The book also takes account of developments in literary theory and practice over the past decade to offer a perspective that remains both critical and contemporary. 

Literary Terms is intended for use as a supplement to courses in English and Literature. Unlike other glossaries, it includes brief activities which help students develop a working knowledge of the concepts. Definitions and activities in the text are designed so that they can be used independently by students, at individual points of need. However, the glossary can also be integrated into classroom study without the need for additional preparation.

Each entry is structured as a mini-lesson which is organised in four parts:

• To get you thinking: a stimulating puzzle or problem which brings the concept into focus;
• Theory: a brief theoretical explanation and discussion of the concept;
• Practice: an activity which calls for practical application of the concept in textual analysis;
• Summary: a final summary which can serve as a working definition of the concept.

A wide range of classic and contemporary texts is referred to, including High Noon, Heart of Darkness, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld. All are used to explicate concepts either through the provision of a telling example or as an inventive and accessible activity.

Literary Terms: A Practical Glossary, like Studying Literature, draws on recent developments in literary theory and places special emphasis on the role of reading practices in the production of literary meanings. As well as introducing new terminology relevant to this emphasis, the glossary reviews many traditional terms, such as 'style' and 'theme' in the context of contemporary approaches to the study of literature.

The contents are available here.

3. 'Oxford HSC English' - Deb McPherson, Karen Yager, Jane Sherlock $61.95 Published: 2009 EAN: 978 0 195568 20 2

http://www.oup.com.au/titles/secondary/english/senior_english/9780195568202

Five years ago I shifted from a 7-10 high school to a 7-12 high school. I was distraught - the only HSC experience I had was with my own HSC and being a student and well, that's completely different to teaching a class! I was set to start in term 2 so I had two weeks to prepare and prepare is what I did. I purchased the texts my new students were studying, the study guides for these texts, I downloaded the syllabus, and purchased this gem (below). 'Oxford HSC English' was so very helpful in clarifying what it was that I was going to be teaching. I still refer to it regularly.

Here is the 'Oxford HSC English' blurb from OUP Press:

Oxford HSC English is an innovative new textbook for HSC English. Authoritative and comprehensive, this premium resource is designed to engage students and optimise their chances of success.

With coverage of popular prescribed texts, it covers both Standard and Advanced English modules, has an in-depth coverage of the Area of Study and provides a 'pathways approach' that meets all the requirements for the HSC Standard and Advanced English courses.

Oxford HSC English won an award for the Best Secondary Single Title at the 2010 Australian Education Publishing Awards. Here are the judges' comments: 

     This well designed and attractively presented text is written in a very clear and informative manner. The detailed attention paid to the assessment advice and guidance, and assessment exemplars, reflects the pedagogical approach to English teachers and supports student learning. Supporting illustrations and photographs enhance and enrich the learning possible from the publication.

OUP wishes to congratulate the authors for their hard work on this award-winning title!

Sample Pages

ETA Review

4. 'Grammar and Meaning New Edition' - Sally Humphrey, Louise Droga, Susan Feez $33.70 (members) $44.95 (non-members) Published: 2012 EAN: 978 1 875622 91 7

http://www.petaa.edu.au/imis_prod/w/ItemDetail?iProductCode=PET098E&Category=BOOK

This book, teamed with 'A NEW Grammar Companion for Teachers' is the best of the best when it comes to unravelling the meaning encapsulated in grammatical conventions. Easy to use, with accompanying activities and answers, this text provides insight into the world of functional grammar and its usage to create meaning. I explored the text whilst completing the 12-week PETAA Grammar and Teaching course with Joanne Rossbridge. Every Wednesday from 4-6pm a group of primary and high school teachers got stuck into grammar - it was fantastic.

Here is the 'Grammar and Meaning' blurb from PETAA (the Primary English Teaching Association Australia):

The new edition of this bestseller aims to help teachers build their knowledge of the grammatical resources of the English language system and apply that knowledge to their teaching practice. It supports the Australian Curriculum: English and existing state-based syllabus documents, and is designed to complement Beverly Derewianka's A New Grammar Companion for Teachers. Each chapter assists teachers to engage actively with the material covered in the Derewianka text, and to apply their developing knowledge and skill to their teaching practice.

5. 'A NEW Grammar Companion for Teachers' - Beverly Derewianka $29.95 (members) $39.95 (non-members) Published 2011 EAN: 978 1 875622 90 0

http://www.petaa.edu.au/iMIS_Prod/w/ItemDetail?iProductCode=PET095&Category=BOOK

This text is an excellent stand alone or even more powerful when combined with 'Grammar and Meaning.’ A commonly prescribed text for primary teachers, I came across an earlier edition when studying a grammar course. As someone who was about to embark on a teaching career in English, I felt I should know something about grammar. I undertook a semester of grammar that was more intensive than any of my grammar instruction at school. Before this course, I knew of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Afterwards, I was competent. The ‘Grammar and Teaching’ course allowed me to engage once more with grammar and look at it in the context of what I was teaching. I feel much more confident with grammar now.

The blurb for 'A NEW Grammar Companion' from PETAA is here:

This updated edition of our bestseller is an indispensible reference, written in response to the new Australian Curriculum: English. It is organised around the main functions that language plays in our lives - interacting with others, structuring coherent texts, and expressing and connecting ideas. The publication makes links to specific Content Descriptors and Outcomes and extends, for the first time, into secondary schooling.

The BEST English Teaching Resources - Purchasing Pointers 1/3

I love a good book about teaching. Teaching specific skills, teaching particular types of texts, teaching summarising, comprehension, literary theory, vocabulary... etc. I find, that sometimes, when I am not sure of how to reinforce an existing skill, teach a new concept, or I am just stuck (teacher's block?) I just flick through one of the texts in my professional library and I am able to come up with an idea. I tend to be a little more judicious when purchasing texts these days. I have come up with a few lists: firstly, purchasing tips, a list of texts I have found useful, and texts I would like to add to my collection. Here is list #1.

Purchasing Tips:
Now, there are many things a teacher will inevitably purchase during term time - pens, whiteboard markers, post-it notes, but investing in a quality teaching resource can be inspiring and well worth your hard-earned cash!

1. Consider what it is you want from a resource - general blackline masters that can be used across many different units, specific resources for specific units (such as Advertising, a particular novel/film), research based articles about teaching, approaches to aspects of the syllabus (like creative writing or essay writing). Teaching texts provide very different things, so be sure you are getting what you need.

2. Well known authors of teaching publications can be an indication of the quality of a resource - perhaps you have read a paper they have written in a professional association's journal, another of their books, perhaps you follow them on Twitter or Instagram and you know they have great insight, maybe you have seen them present a workshop or keynote at a conference. Sometimes this information can give you an idea of whether you have a similar teaching philosophy and whether their ideas will enhance your teaching.

3. Publishers have different focuses when it comes to educational materials. I know I favour the publications of some publishers over others. This is sometimes because of content, layout, or ease of use. Many publishers have extra resources available online when you use the download code in the book and this can be extra value. CDS with extra resources are also a welcome accompaniment - especially as resources often need to be adapted for a different context.

4. The place of publication can determine the usability of a resource. Sometimes texts written for other states/territories/countries are very useful and sometimes the contexts are just too different for the ideas to be feasible. I have a few resources that I thought would be useful, but they're not. The focus of each state's syllabus is different, even with the implementation of a National Curriculum in Australia, each state has approached the document in slightly different ways. So, be mindful that resources written for other contexts, may be more suited to those places.

5. You know your students - sometimes resources aimed at 'Year 9' or 'Year 7' may not suit your students in those grades. Perhaps your students need more extension or more support. Education is not a one size fits all - so if you use a resource from a text, make sure you are able to remove the grade label, the last thing you want to do is give your Year 8 students a clearly labelled Year 7 resource.