Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire: Methods and Madness Inside Room 56

This is truly the best kind of "best practice" book, because the methods are tied to the real stories of real classrooms. Room 56 especially highlights the success immigrants and ELLs can achieve when they receive the right instruction.

Back in town

Autumn in Boston has come and gone since my last post. Where did the season go? Among the many new skills acquired, creating balance has been the most difficult skill to master. Definitely not there yet, but things are looking up.

I'm more pumped about teaching now than I was when I arrived. Along with my colleagues and scholars, I've been sponging up whatever I can from master educators such as Rafe Esquith and Ron Clark.

Class Warfare: Inside the Fight to Fix America's Schools

Whitney Tilson's, blog is currently one of my favorites. Possibly because he floods my inbox with articles, youtube videos, interviews, and all things ed reform. Last week he told everyone to read Brills' new book and offered to send a free copy to anyone who couldn't afford to purchase it. I'm in! Yay for pleasure reading that is relevant to everything I'm doing as an educator.

Here's an excerpt from the WSJ review by Joel Klein:

"Class Warfare," by Steven Brill, is an extremely well-reported survey of the modern reform movement that is likely to have a big impact and will appeal to a wide audience. "Special Interest," by Terry M. Moe, is a carefully researched analysis of the power dynamics underlying today's policy disputes. Mr. Brill, a celebrated media entrepreneur and longtime journalist, takes us on a breezy journey through the education-reform landscape, written with a storyteller's page-turning magic; Mr. Moe, a political scientist, offers a painstaking study, also compelling if less fast-paced.

Mr. Brill opens with a quick visit to the Oval Office early in the Obama administration, where the new president commits himself to an aggressive reform agenda. "Just make sure," he says to his advisers, "that we don't poke the unions in the eye with this." The bulk of "Class Warfare" is a series of vignettes of reformers and traditionalists, and of struggling schools they are fighting to save.

Read the indignant response from education historian and ed reform opponent Dr. Diane Ravitch to Simon and Schuster Inc. Their response to her accusations can be found here.

The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson

This friend and neighbor of Bronson Alcott was also a fellow Transcendentalist.  Emerson is one of America's most beloved philosophers.

Walden; or Life in the Woods

Henry David Thoreau's take on nature and independence. This naturalist philosopher was another study-buddy of Bronson Alcott's.

An Old Fashioned Girl

Polly leaves her quiet country home to explore the foreign world of city life. While her wealthy cousins the Shaws welcome her into their existence, Polly wrestles to find the balance between the simplicity of her heritage and the new opportunities her cousins offer.

Rose in Bloom

Rose and Uncle Alex are back from their tour abroad. But the littler girl that her seven "cousins"  remember is gone forever. A winsome young woman has taken her place. Rose does not know what to do with the new attention she is receiving from her dear friends turned suitors.

Eight Cousins

Rose is a dainty 13-yr. orphan under the care of two coddling aunts. Then Uncle Alex, her true legal guardian, comes back from his travels around the world. Uncle Alex is appalled by Rose's pale demeanor and quiet manners. He assumes care and attempts to nurture her into a strong, healthy, educated young woman. His approach entails adventures to far away places and allowing Rose to play with her seven energetic male "cousins" (not blood related).  Uncle Alex's views on raising women seem outlandish to Rose's Aunts, but Rose begins to shine under new regimen.

n.

Jo's Boys

The Little Men and their respective sisters are full grown. The saga continues as the boys set-out around the world, embracing their young adult status. The book follows the individual adventures of the young men such as getting lost at sea, rising to fame and falling into poverty abroad, experiencing first love, and finally returning to share their stories at Plumfield. 

Little Men

The March girls are grown and raising their own children. Jo and the hubs Professor Bhaer started a school for boys...or little men. Plumfield is unlike any other boarding school; newcomer Nat Blake quickly discovers that learning at this school expands beyond the books. Through daring adventures, Nat realizes that he is among family.

Little Women

Little Women follows the story of the March family, particularly the March girls. It's an ageless commentary on life in community. Enough said. The rest of this post is about the author and the real historical figures behind the characters in the book.

Louisa May Alcott has long been my favorite author. That being said, Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite book : ). Ms. Alcott will always remain my primary inspiration, which is why I had to carve time on my trip up for a visit to Orchard House (the setting of Little Women and the Alcott family home)!!!

The Alcott's were change agents. Mr. A's radical education methods, such as physical exercise and inquiry learning have now been embraced as best practice. Mrs. A. was the first paid social worker in Boston; May (or Amy in LW) was a world famous artist who mentored America's favorite sculptor; and Louisa continues to influence the lives of children around the world with her timeless literature.

A few things I noticed from touring the home:
+Intentionality around meal time: Family discussions were based on individual journaling throughout the day.
+Reflection as mode of living: Everyone in the family kept a journal from a young age.
+Structure: The daily schedule accounted for every minute.
+Moral: The Alcotts were staunch and vocal abolitionists.
+Outdoors: the house blends into the woods around it. Concord and the rest of civilization fades away the moment you step on the property.
+Relationship as a way of understanding: Mr. A spent hours with Thoreau and Emerson in his study. Friends were constantly streaming through the Alcott home.
+Individualism: Each child was encouraged to pursue their passion. May drew all over the walls of her room, Anna performed in local plays, and Louisa wrote her book from a tiny desk that her father built for her in her bedroom.

+Hope: The underlying message of their devotion to hard work and effort was that change is possible, life is worth living, and truth must be told.

"It looks just like the movie!!!"

The Quran

Today is the first day of Ramadan. It seems fitting to include Islam's holy book. This English-only copy is a new translation by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.

"All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Universe; the Beneficent, the Merciful; Lord of the Day of Judgement. you alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path."
 - Sura 1

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Somehow I'm on the verge of tears every time I finish this book. Jessie is a bright-eyed 13 year old who braves the Atlantic alone in search of new life in America. The rabbi of her little village in Europe hand chose Jessie to apprentice at a lace shop in New York. But the move separates Jessie from Grandmother -- her only living relative. Adjusting to life in a new country is full of challenges such as language, culture, and new laws. However, Jessie finds that the strong Jewish community embraces her with open arms. She diligently writes letters to Grandmother about her new life, learning, and budding romance. Readers follow their correspondence back-and-forth across the ocean until the two reunite in New York City.
Lexile: 0470L

The Keeping Quilt

Patricia Polacco shares the legacy passed down from her Great Gramma Anna, a Jewish immigrant from Russia. The quilt is portrayed in vivid colors on each page. This contrast makes a bold statement against the rest of the book's charcoal illustrations.

Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment

During my undergrad years in Chicago, I had the privilege of meeting a Japanese American interment camp survivor. She, along with thousands of other Americans, were forced to live in these camps during WWII. According to my older friend, all of the Japanese Americans in her generation spent time in the camps. Their stories must be told in order for us to fully understand the effects of WWII on our country. Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston offers an insiders look at the interment camp through her poignant memoir.   

Monarch Butterflies & Walruses

This instructional text is actually a two-sided feature (hence the right-sided spine).  Learn about Monarch Butterflies, then flip the book over and read through the other side about Walruses.

The Crisis

Thomas Paine's Common Sense provoked the American colonies to revolt against British rule. This pamphlet exhorted our fledgling nation to stay the course durring the middle of an exhausting war.

Teach Like A Champion

Finally! It's the science of instruction, not just content, broken down into bite-sized pieces. The DVD of actual classroom footage clearly demonstrates each technique Lemove describes. This guy is seriously my hero. I almost applied for his organization's residency in NY, but am confident that Boston was the right choice. Maybe one day...

Whatever It Takes

More required reading for my teacher residency. In the words of my cohort coordinator:

"This book will serve to provide the big-picture background for the work we do at (...). It is an engaging discussion of the achievement gap and the exciting narrative of a particular approach to it. It’s well aligned with our mission, because Mr. Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone embraces the idea of preparing children and families for college success from a very young age." 


I concur. Geoffrey Canada is an inspiration. But Paul Tough's excellent narration is equally inspiring . 

Mindset

Dweck's book is required reading for my residency program (one month exactly till day!!). The premise is that a person's perspective on intellect drives the way engage life. We all ascribe to one of two beliefs:
a) Fixed mindset - intellect is static. You're born with certain strengths and will succeed in a particular area -- say the arts -- because of your natural talent. Forget about effort and hard work; either you got it or you don't.
b) Growth mindset - intellect is dynamic. Excellence and mastery are the product of committed effort. Natural talent maybe a starting point, but intellect must be cultivated.

The implications for the classroom are vast. Fixed mindset learners shy away from challenges, afraid that failure or mistakes define them as a person. Growth mindset learners will welcome challenges as an opportunity to develop skill and discover new insight. I've only read a few excerpts so far, but Dweck's stuff is powerful.

Planes

The sky is not the limit. Stickland pairs bright illustrations with short descriptions of various planes.  Emergent and early readers alike will appreciate this areo installment of the By Air, Sea and Land series.

English Language Learners in Your Classroom: Strategies that Work

I haven't yet read this free text, courtesy of APS. It's the third edition of a best-seller...according to Corwin Press. This book, at a glance, covers teaching strategies, literacy strategies, second language acquisition, technology integration ideas, and extra-classroom community building ideas (think parents). Looks promising!

Shiloh

It's a classic tale of a boy and his dog. Who could resist rescuing that cute little beagle?

Bless This Way

Anne E. Kitch is an Episcopal minister and educator. Her simple prayers resonate with children across the church and beyond. Conanhan's illustrations depict children of various ethnicity as they eat and drink, play, work, cry, and sing their way through life.

Singing in the darkness

Singing in the light

Sing, sing, sing

To God's great delight

-- "Singing" (Ps. 96:1)

The Magic School Bus: Butterfly and the Bog Beast

Butterflies may be delicate insects, but they are masters of disguise. Ms. Frizzle and class experience this cunning survival skill first hand as they encounter the bog beast on yet another field trip.

Pooh's Scavenger Hunt

We're off to see the Wi--- wait, wrong story :) Early readers will enjoy reading on their own about classic characters Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.

The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip

Ms. Frizzle's class is learning about electricity when lightening strikes -- literally. Power is out all over the neighborhood, but no worries! Here comes the magic school bus to the rescue. This charged adventure with the Friz (America's favorite science teacher) will have readers on the edge of their seats.

AD490L

What I See

The Green Light Reader series is designed for the "new reader who's ready to go!"  This text is the "Buckle up!" level which employs vivid illustrations, short stories with simple sentences, along with rhyme and rhythm.

Frederick Douglass Fights for Freedom

Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass attained his freedom and tirelessly advocated to extend that right to those still subject to an unjust system. This chapter book is filled with photos and images to aid readers' interaction with the story.

The Playground

America's most beloved furry friends are back. This time we're learning how to get along with each other and the puppy.

The Police Station

Where is that puppy??? This special series engages readers in civic awareness as well as a missing pet hunt!

Long Journey Home

Lester gives the reader a glimpse into the daring escape many slaves achieved during America's slave era. By adding imagery and details to these true accounts, the author allows readers to walk through six narratives about Americans in pursuit of freedom.

810L

Scholastic Encyclopedia of Women in the United States

Encyclopedias generally read alphabetically, but this on is understandably categorized by time and theme. The impressive anthology of women spans the 1500s to the 2000s. Chapter headings such as "Growth and conflict"--1800s-1880s; "Hard Times, Tough Choices" -- 1930s-1940; and "Woman Power!" -- 1970s to 2000s unite woman across the decades under a common theme.

Heroines of the American Revolution

Canon's text allows readers to connect with history through art. A full-coloring page accompanies each biographical selection.

The Music Connection

Standard music textbooks...they never grow old :)

Americans' Favorite Poems

These poems are classics and more recent treasures. American authorship is not a prerequisite of favored status. Chaucer and Frost coexist pleasantly in this succulent collection of meter and rhyme.

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares

Benjamin Franklin was a kid once. Apparently, he amused himself by constructing "magic squares"; these special grids house one numeral per square, and total the same sum whether you're adding vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. This Step Into Reading + Math text creatively integrates mathematics with reading and social studies.

The 50 Great States: A Hands-on Learning Game and Thematic Unit

Hooray for the United States! My sister and I loved this tune growing up:

What did Delaware to Georgia’s party down in Maryland?
She wore a New Jersey that Virginia bought in Michigan.
Did you see that Tennessee did see a saw in Arkansas?
For this silly song of states, Iowa big apology!

- Silly Song of States

Georgia for Children

It's a little dated, but the simple paragraphs and coloring pages integrate social studies, reading, and art. Definitely homework worthy, especially for those new to Georgia.

Outcasts United

Refugees. New Americans. Though only 1-sq. mile, Clarkston, GA is a hub for refugee resettlement. Warren St. John follows the story of one woman and several young men...all who employed their love for soccer to combat poverty, familial turmoil, gang violence, and discrimination to forage a new path in life.  Warren St. John is not a native of Atlanta, but his work is a telling commentary on the complexities and sweetness of the new South.

The fugees are wonderful young men. Luma Mufleh is incredibly inspiring and approachable. Clarkston is unlike any other place I've ever been. Outcasts United is full of hope, but getting to know families in Clarkston over the last several years is probably the best American story I've heard. 

Daily Comprehension July

Rube Goldberg was the man behind the machine. This American cartoonist was born on July 4th, 1883. How did he wind up becoming a beloved American cartoonist? Read the book to find out. Or stop by his webpage.

50 Great Americans

Anne Schraff's short reading selections cover well known figures such as Sacajawea and Andrew Carnegie, as well as lesser-known figures such as Jessie Benton Fremont. Alongside her husband, Fremont was writer who helped California establish statehood. Each short story in this collection is followed by an activity, i.e. matching, comprehension questions, and a class discussion guide.

George Washington's World

Happy Fourth of July!

Genevieve Foster breathes life into the daily events of our nation's founders. Foster goes beyond the key moments and weaves together little-known details, recreating the energy that charged George Washington's world.

Wonders of the Pond

This text would be coupled well with a picnic or mere outing to an actual pond. Leigh Grant's  beautiful brush strokes breath life into any general science unit.

Sunshine Makes the Seasons

The sun is the only star in our solar system. I never think about it that way, even though shapes my daily existence. This is # 2 of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science.

Little Bear Sleeping

Tony Johnston continues the Little Bear theme of heartwarming stories nestled in a cozy wood.

Ok, so I'm on an out-doorsy kick. Summer has officially arrived and the world around me is alive with crickety sounds, pesky mosquitoes, bubbling creeks, and verdant leaves. Severe thunderstorms (like the one rocking the couch as I type) limit me to the second best way of experiencing summer...reading of course!