Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire

Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire

The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56

• Rafe Esquith
• Penguin Books

Rafe Esquith is an extraordinary teacher whose devotion to his students, most of whom live in an impoverished neighbourhood in Los Angeles, goes way beyond what most people can do. He has tremendous respect for his students and instills in them a strong work ethic. I believe few people can duplicate what he does with his them without burning out. However, despite this, I would recommend reading this book. Rafe Esquith is an inspiration to all teachers.

Every year many of his fifth grade students along with other students from the school present a Shakespearean play in its entirety along with musical selections that the students learn to perform. Rafe also has a music program going in his "spare" time. You can learn more about this venture here.

He truly gets his students involved in learning and in understanding why education is important. A must read is his section on field trips and how he prepares his students. He teaches not just content but life skills.

For any of you who may go to the Reading for the Love of it conference in Toronto in February 2010, you will have an opportunity to see Rafe Esquith.

While you may not agree with all his teaching techniques, there is plenty of food for thought. I would love to hear from anyone who reads this book. Let's share our impressions.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

• E. Lockhart
• Hyperion

This YA book was recommended to me by both Shannon at Babar and Joan Wasserman. It is a rolicking caper about a strong-minded young teenager, Frankie Landau-Banks, and her attempts to find her place and find acceptance for who she is. Some of the issues tackled include the roles and games males and females play and are expected to play. Frankie is exploring her world, playing with language and ideas. Most of all she is exploring her identity and resents that there are people who exclude her from things simply because she is female. Her infiltration of her boyfriend's secret society leads to a variety of humourous incidents. Girl power is a force to be reckoned with.

As the story takes place in a wealthy boarding school, I would hesitate to recommend this for a class novel, but would recommend it for a book club or small group discussion.

What books have you found that stimulate excitement in your class?

Alphabet Books

Primary teachers often have their favourite collection of alphabet books. This link to Book of the Day Activities: ABC Books, came my way. It is from a Kindergarten blog and lists a number of alphabet books along with some supporting activities.

To add to the list you will find above:

Museum ABC

• The New York Museum of Art
• Little, Brown Young Readers

While the words representing the letters may be common, the images are not. They are works, or parts of works from the museum's collection. This is a wonderful way to bring art into language. Older children can read the back section which tells more about the art work and the artists who created them.

What are your favourite alphabet books and why? What kinds of activities have they led to with your students?