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.

Book Reviews on the Internet

Summer is heating up and winding down at the same time. Perhaps you have a bit of time to explore what is available on the Internet. Here are a few sites readers would find interesting.

KidsClick Book Reviews

The reviews I read were written from the point of view of a character in the book. You can search by genre or by level.

Notable Books from the American Library Association

Find out which books from 2009 have been recommended. From the site:

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre

Find resources for librarians and teachers. Check out the awards section - all books are by Canadian authors with Canadian content.

Do you have sites to recommend or share? Add them to the comments.

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom

New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning and Creativity

• Jason Ohler
• Corwin Press 2008

Jason Ohler is an ELA teacher at heart. Although this book is about technology and how to use it to enhance storytelling, it is always about the story first. How can we get our students to tell powerful stories, whether personal narratives, documentaries, family tales or any other kind of story? This book has practical advice to help bring out the stories from idea, to planning, to writing and then amplifying them through the use of technology. For the technologically challenged, he walks you through the tools with recommendations on how to use them. As Ohler says,

Are there rules about digital storytelling? Perhaps one: story without digital works, but digital without story doesn't.

Media literacy is an important component of the English Language Arts programme. Ohler introduces the grammar of media so that teachers can help their students make effective use of the multiple modes which make up a digital story. The production process is well-articulated from planning through to sharing. He also talks about assessment and what to look at when evaluating a media production.

Visit Jason Ohler's website - many of the materials in the book are available on the site.