Posts filed under 'Author News'
In June we told you about how some of books made their way to Belize to help teachers there improve literacy education. Now we have another report from Rwanda, where Juliana Meehan took copies of Yellow Brick Roads and Words, Words, Words by Janet Allen, Strategies That Work by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis, and Nonfiction Matters by Stephanie Harvey. Juliana and her professor, Kathleen Malu, a Fulbright Scholar at Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), and professor of education at William Paterson University of New Jersey, used the books in two different level classes: a large class of 160 freshman and sophomore students and a smaller class of juniors/seniors. But before they could get down to the business of teaching strategies, Juliana and Kathleen had to tackle some language barrier issues. Here is Juliana’s report:
Professor Malu shows off Nonfiction Matters
My original plan was to center the lesson on how we can use high quality picture books to teach literacy, and then to show how each of your books contains strategies to help students master reading and writing skills. However, I found that my lesson needed adjustment because of the current language situation in Rwanda.
The traditional language of Rwanda is Kinyarwandan, although Swahili is also widely spoken. For decades, the language of education and commerce has been French, since Rwanda was once a Belgian colony. In January of this year, Rwandan President Paul Kigame (who has just been re-elected for another 7-year term) mandated that the official language of Rwanda is now English and that all education must be conducted exclusively in English. You can imagine what a difficulty that poses for teachers and students who speak fluent French but who may have little or no practice with English! So, my classes–especially those with the younger undergraduates–as well as my interaction with teachers in the field had to be adjusted for the fact that most of them are beginning English speakers. With the large undergraduate class (see picture), I periodically stopped during the lesson and defined words before we could go further. (We were reading the picture book Mr. George Baker written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Jon J. Muth, a Candlewick Press publication.) After the story we reviewed the Stenhouse books. The students were very interested in them and wanted to know more. They are excited that they will have full access to them and will use them in their subsequent classes at KIE.
With the older junior/seniors whose English is more advanced, we were able to explore the materialsin more depth and have pedagogical conversations. In fact, the students took the books home and evaluated them. Their assignment for Dr. Malu and me was to examine a text and report back what they thought of it and how they might use it as a teacher. Here are excerpts of their reactions, unedited, straight from the students’ pens (the names have been changed). I’m sure you can see that these books will not be lost on these young teachers!
Juliana talks to a group of students about Strategies That Work
Strategies that Work:
“This book details strategies, methods and ways to teach comprehension to students … as a future teacher I like it! … the elements found in this book are helpful to me in my career of education. It is the modern way of teaching which puts the student in the center of education and the teacher as a helper and not a dictator. … In teaching I will be using some of these methods found in this book to help my students to read and understand … –Jacqueline
Strategies That Work. “I have been exploring this package and I found it interesting as well as very helpful.In fact, I have liked it and I am still enjoying reading it. The choice and arrangement of the materials are some of the factors which make the book likeable. It seems to be selective in its structure, consistently well organized, and developed in a concise manner. … It is rather practical than theoretical. This is why it falls under my favorite choice. .. briefly, I really like this book mostly because it gives responses and hints for success while dealing with teaching young learners. I consider it relevant to both current and prospective teachers, as I am.”
Yellow Brick Roads: “… the book shows how much the participation of both teachers and learners is needed so that students get knowledge about reading skills. For many reasons, I liked this book. It reminded me that it is better for the teacher to have teaching aids while teaching. For example, while the teacher is teaching how to read effectively, he/she has to give the textbooks to learners and guide them by correcting some mistakes … in teaching, this book can help me because each of its pages contains guidance for both students and the teachers.” –Marcel
Words, Words, Words: “After reading this book … I got interested in the topic called “Why teach vocabulary?” –Auguste
These reactions show that the students are engaged in the difficult tasks of perfecting their English while training to be teachers (in that new language!), but also show that the ideas and methods proposed in the books are new and exciting and vastly different from what they have been taught, both as students and as future teachers. For example, the idea of a student-centered classroom is revolutionary! They have been raised on the “I-talk-and-write-notes-and-you-copy-and-memorize-them” method!
A great need still exists. The people are intelligent, hard working, and motivated. However, at present resources are few. On a visit to the KIE Library, I saw scores of large boxes of donated books which, on closer inspection, were manufacturers’ leftovers and of no use to the Rwandan students at KIE. For instance, one box was filled with workbooks to accompany an outdated textbook (which was missing) on the economy of China! So, the Rwandans need books, but they need quality, relevant, culturally appropriate books, not leftovers. You at Stenhouse can be proud that the books you’ve given them are the best available to teachers, the very top of your pedagogical line. That was not lost on the students, either. They knew and appreciated they were getting materials that teachers in the United States are using right now.
September 2nd, 2010
In June we announced the publication of Lisa Miller’s new book, Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling. Four more books round out our fall list of new titles, and we’ve just posted details online.
Doing Literary Criticism: Helping Students Engage with Challenging Texts
Tim Gillespie * Foreword by Leila Christenbury
324 pp + CD-ROM * Grades 9-12 * $35.00 * Available early October
An award-winning high school English teacher offers a omprehensive survey of critical approaches to reading literature, and a host of practical classroom activities to support them. The extensive CD has reproducible overviews for students, essay exam questions, a bonus chapter on postmodern criticism, and much more.
The Castle in the Classroom: Story as a Springboard for Early Literacy
Ranu Bhattacharyya * Foreword by Georgia Heard
176 pp * Grades K-1 * $19.00 * Available early October
Provides a vision for a yearlong progression where reading and writing become as much a part of kindergarten as playing and pretending. Detailed focus lessons use personal narratives, folktales, and fairy tales to deepen the literary experience.
Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice
Stacey Shubitz and Ruth Ayres
300 pp * Grades K-6 * $28.00 * Available late October
The authors of the Two Writing Teachers blog give teachers daily doses of encouragement, tips, and challenges on routines, mini-lessons, choice, mentors, conferring, and assessment in writing workshop.
Writing to Explore: Discovering Adventure in the Research Paper, 3-8
David Somoza and Peter Lourie
176 pp * Grades 3-8 * $20.00 * Available early November
Shows how teachers can empower their students to engage with the world by weaving research into adventure writing. Includes numerous handouts, sample activities, student writing examples, research sources, and a chapter on multimedia writing prompts and making the most of online research tools.
August 12th, 2010
Ralph and a spectacular hanging basket of Petunias outside the Tasty Thai restaurant in Kittery, where he and his editor, Philippa Stratton, met for lunch Friday to celebrate the completion of a very successful Ning discussion
We just wrapped up four weeks of lively discussion of Ralph Fletcher’s latest book, Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing.
Moderated by middle-school language arts teacher Amanda Villagomez, the discussion touched on using observation to benefit writing; noticing word play in oral language; mentor texts for word play; and creating classrooms where word play can flourish.
Teachers shared many ways they encourage their students to play with words as well as how they collect interesting pieces of conversation for use in their classrooms. “I love to people watch-whether it’s at the bookstore, mall, or watching people walking in town. While people watching or actually, eavesdropping on their conversations, I get a chance to jot down bits and pieces of their conversations,” wrote Linda Bondi. “Listening to language is as important to a writer as seeing is to an artist,” said Margaret Simon, who added that she takes her writing camp students on a “writing marathon” where they get to listen and observe the conversations around them.
Others noted that they collected great sentences and word combinations from their favorite books, including Tammy Miles, who started such a “craft collection” with her students. “Often times, we’d add to the collection during writer’s workshop. I encouraged the students to mimic other authors and try something new in their writing,” Tammy shared.
Freida Hammett observed that playing with oral language is a bit different than playing with written language. ”For young children and for reluctant writers, I would think oral lanaguage play would be the first, and very important, step. Oral language sends a message, too, that you like to have fun,” Freida said.
During the discussion thread about playful classrooms, Jean Marki noted that Ralph’s book was an eye-opener to her about the way she introduces word play to her students. “Yes, I was introducing word play…but as a task not play. I never gave the kids time to play — to try out the word play on their terms.”
Later, the discussion turned to how to deal with students who are excited about a new skill and so they “crowd” their writing with that particular craft. “ I guess I believe that realistically kids WILL overdo whatever craft element we teach,” responded Ralph. “That’s the nature of learning anything new. Given time the strategy will no longer “stick out” or be over-used but will become integrated into the student’s repertoire of writing strategies. It might be wise to use one mini-lesson to introduce a kind of wordplay. Then, after the kids have tried it out, do another mini-lesson showing an example of a writer who really over-does it. The kids will be able to see it, I bet.”
To revisit the entire discussion and read all of Ralph’s responses, you can still visit our Ning page for the archived version. You can also read an excellent interview with Ralph on A Year of Reading blog.
August 9th, 2010
We always love it when our authors come to visit us in Maine. Stacey Shubitz and her husband Marc spent a few days in Maine and took some time out of their sightseeing schedule to have lunch with us. Stacey’s upcoming book with coauthor Ruth Ayres is Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice. Look for it in October!
From left to right: Web coordinator Zsofi McMullin, Marc, Stacey, and editor Bill Varner
August 4th, 2010
Stenhouse editorial manager Chris Downey had her own little literacy work station in her living room yesterday. She and former Stenhouse editorial manager Erin Trainer met to discuss some upcoming Stenhouse books – Erin is now a freelance copyeditor working on many Stenhouse projects. Their babies, Ruby and Dean, seemed excited by Debbie’s book. Take a look for yourself:
July 22nd, 2010
Get a glimpse into the writing and production process of a Stenhouse book from first-time author Stacey Shubitz as she describes the journey on her blog Two Writing Teachers. Stacey and her co-author, Ruth Ayres, spent the past year working on their upcoming professional book titled Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice.
The book will be available in October. If you would like to find out more about it, watch for updates on the Stenhouse website in early August and sign up to be notified when the book arrives in our warehouse.
July 19th, 2010
If you haven’t had a chance to read Ralph Fletcher’s new book, Pyrotechnics on the Page, this upcoming long holiday weekend is the perfect time to do it! Then sign up to join our Ning group where a discussion of Pyrotechnics will begin Monday, July 12. The moderator of the discussion, Amanda Villagomez, already posted the discussion schedule. So join in with your ideas and make this the best professional development event of your summer!
June 30th, 2010
At last week’s annual meeting of the Association of Educational Publishers, The CAFE Book by Joan Moser and Gail Boushey won the 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award in the Assessment Tools category.
In The CAFE Book: Engaging All Students in Daily Literacy Assessment and Instruction, Gail and Joan present a practical, simple way to integrate assessment into daily reading and classroom discussion. The CAFE system is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expand vocabulary. The system includes goal-setting with students, posting of goals on a whole-class board, developing small-group instruction based on clusters of students with similar goals, and focusing whole-class instruction on emerging student needs.
Gail and Joan have more than forty years of teaching exerpeience between them. They are also the authors of The Daily Five and the DVD Daily Five Alive! They are full-time elementary teachers and nationally recognized consultants who specialize in literacy, assessment, and creating classroom learning spaces.
June 14th, 2010
Johanna Riddle with Laura Bush
When the former Samsula School (now Samsula Academy) in Volusia County, Florida, became a charter school in 2008, one of the biggest task facing teachers, students, and the community was rebuilding the school’s media center.
Because charter schools cannot receive capital dollars that fund regular public school media centers, Samsula Academy had to rely on book fairs, fundraisers, and cash and book donations to resurrect its media collection. Now a $6,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation will help the school reestablish a cutting edge media center. Johanna Riddle, the school’s media specialist and author of Engaging the Eye Generation received the award from Mrs. Bush during a ceremony at Jose de Diego Middle School in Miami-Dade County.
“I’ve dubbed the rebuilding effort ‘Project Phoenix’,” said Johanna. “It seems that even though our school has been around since 1912, circumstances continue to consider new incarnations for the shape and focus of our little school. But that’s what keeps us growing.” Johanna said that when the school received the grant, she was moved by the many students who thanked her for getting books for their school. “It was very touching, and it reminds me that I am in the right place”
Since its inception, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries has funded more than $7.3 million to 1,433 schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Norhern Mariana Islands.
June 9th, 2010
Mother’s Day was a few weeks ago, but I think we can all agree that moms deserve a special nod throughout the year. Sarah Cooper, author of Making History Mine, wrote an award-winning essay about her mom. The essay was published in Forum, the newsletter of the national organization Mothers & More.
Sarah’s mom, Jane, has been struggling with brain cancer and in the process Sarah found herself growing up. “Aside from watching their physical pain, this must be the hardest thing about a parent’s becoming ill: You say a final goodbye to your childhood, no matter if you’ve long inhabited adulthood. I feel healthier, more mature for it,” Sarah writes.
Read the full essay here. And then call your mom.
June 7th, 2010
Previous Posts
