Language Arts Books

This is an awesome resource for new and student teachers. Very simple, basic and claerly written.

Full of ideas I don't have time to implement. Regie Routman is wonderful.

I purchased this book a few months ago as a textbook requirement for a graduate course I took. Little did I know that I would end up dog-earing practically every page! Regie's approach to teaching writing resounded with me on so many levels. As a kindergarten teacher coming off her first year in a classroom, I had felt a nagging dissatisfaction with our school's packaged writing "program", but really didn't have the professional chops to move from yammering at my kids about sentence conventions and "three sentences, three capitals, three periods!" to teaching the writing process in a joyful way. This book was an awakening, because it showed me how to do just that. If you're a teacher of just about any grade level, and you're uneasy about producing a classroom full of automatons who write in lockstep, BUY THIS BOOK. Yes, it is a textbook, but it doesn't read like one. Nigh unto every page is flooded with examples from Regie's own teaching experiences, and-- as if that weren't good enough-- the appendices give you the lessons Regie taught WORD-FOR-WORD so you can model her practices in your classroom! I cannot speak highly enough of this book. I wish more teachers had the opportunity to learn from Regie and realize that writing CAN be a joyful experience!

Wow! I've read plenty of books regarding how to score or grade students' writing, but this book finally contains the "how" of teaching writing. It's chalk-full of realistic ideas for writing instruction that makes writing a part of what students are learning, not a separate activity. Regie also gives plenty of hands-on examples as well as practical tips for integrating writing into every day instruction, while actually suggesting less work for teachers, not more. I couldn't recommend a better book for teachers of writing!

If you want to become a better teacher of writing, then this book is for you! I am a huge follower of Regie Routman's teaching methods, and I think this is her best book yet. The greatest part of this guide are the step-by-step lesson plan suggestions, each of which guide you over a 5-day period of time. The lessons cover a variety of genres and can be adapted for any grade level. The DVD shows Regie in action, conferencing with students. If you're serious about wanting to change the way you teach writing, read this book!

More than a how to write fast manual this book addresses the process of writing from start to finish. The steps are laid out in an easy to follow fashion with gems like "talent is the result of consistent practice" dispensed along the way. The author advocates a structured thought process without falling into the programmatic do's and don'ts of the ordinary writing text. In summary, great for a new writer or rusty writer looking for a writing framework to make the process easier. If you already have an efficient writing stlye then not needed, for the rest of us, great book.

I've had this book since the first paperback edition came out in 1990, and have referred to it many times over the years. The material is well layed out, easy to read and more importantly, easy to apply! You definitely won't regret buying this book!

When I first got into college, I had absolutely no idea how to
write. I had written papers in high school, yet it had always been an agonizing process. As a result, I dreaded every paper assignment, and put off writing until the last minute. Then, one day, in the midst of such procrastination, I discovered this book on the library's shelf.

Shelved between two books on grammar, this book looked like another long-winded treatise on sentence construction. Yet after opening the book, I was pleasantly surprised.

Sanford Kaye's book, Writing Under Pressure, puts forth an interesting, well thought out strategy for writing papers. Through a case study, and then specific applications, he outlines his strategy in a clear, easily understandable way that is immediately applicable. Yet this is not this book's main strength. Kaye clearly loves writing, and he communicates this in a way that makes the reader feel the same way. Now, this is the book I turn to whenever I feel overwhelmed by a writing task. So if you are looking for a book on writing, or even if you are not, you cannot do better than Sanford Kaye's Writing Under Pressure.

I think this is a great book for SAT essay writing preparation. It is also a great book for general essay writing. The book focuses on getting the meaning down in an organized manner.

I highly recommend this book, but only gave it a 4 because it focuses on the narrow, but important, issue of writing a theme under time pressure.

It should be in every SAT essay preparers hands.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

This book takes the !!ARRGH!! out of writing. Concentrating on academic assignments, the author, who has been there-done that, lets students in on his secrets of how to relax and make ANY subject interesting to the writer - and, therefore, the reader. Writing Under Pressure is clearly written (the author practices what he preaches), but contains enough lightness and human touches to make you forget you're not reading it for pleasure. I would recommend this book to someone who is learning (or re-learning) how to write assigned term papers or essays.

I find myself opening this book up over and over again . I have learned alot from the writer of this book . I would tell anyone who is going to make a documentary , they should have this book on there desk.

There is little in written text that summarise the worth of this book. I was so moved by its detailed and incisive content and direction that I sold my kids to afford the time and space, the peace required to absorb the rivetting content.
As I sat at my video production terminal I realised that the nirvana of books on docudrama had been produced. This is the sort of book that makes you go and get the authors name tattooed on your butt.
Buy , buy , buy ..

This book is a masterful resource for any filmmaker regardless of their expertise.

No one has come close in their summation of the documentary process. It is 2001, the book was released in 1996, it is timeless. The best book on the market, a better book could only be devised by the author.

Four years of preperation in one book. Every student, professional filmmaker, enthusiast should have it. I have even allowed persons/subjects whom I was documenting to read this book. It made the process that much easier. They were extremely thankful. PURCHASE THE BOOK.

Even while reading this book I was able to pitch an idea for an event and documentary project, my first, and gain acceptance for the project. The concepts are helpful as well as practical.
I read a lot of books once I am interested in a subject and I would place this one at the top for documentaries.

In starting something new, the potential making missteps that can derail the whole process is always present. This book helps you avoid those and has advice on how you can develop a quality product that people will want to see. Very worthwhile.

As mentioned by another reviewer, this book is highly motivating and after reading it cover to cover, I am now RE-writing my exisiting stories.
If you are looking for a question format (where where you born?) this is NOT the book for you. It does NOT give you the questions which upon answering will give you your "story". This book is also not focused specifically on the many literary structures, styles and such that a professional writer worries about (although there are some suggestions)

It IS structured like a Q&A session about the OVERALL process of creating your life story. Sections include Preparation, Structure, and "
Writing is Hard", and chapters include information on length, audience, and solitary vs. group writing.
I think the most enjoyable aspect of the book is Steve's style, which he also talks about in detail. While I was reading I felt like I was hearing him in a conversation between us. I am the kind of person who doesn't hesitate to skip pages in a book, but this one I read cover to cover, even the topics that I had no personal interest in.
I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for motivation and a right attitude about life story writing (most of us are not famous, and most of us will not get to publish our book to the mainstream public).

Also highly recommended (though for different reasons) are Bernard Selling's "Writing from Within"(uses a "first person" perspective with your stories), Denis Ledoux's "From Memory to Memoir" (love the concept of a "Lifelist"), and Frank P. Thomas's "How to Write Your Life Story" (which does have some questions but much other good info. as well)

Any who would record their life history for future generations - whether it be the general public or their descendants - will appreciate Steve Zousmer's You Don't Have to Be Famous: How to Write Your Life Story. Different writing models, from flashback chronology to something more versatile, are surveyed in chapters which discuss writing techniques, solidifying objectives, and putting everything in writing. An excellent guide most accessible to beginners who may have no professional writing experience or objectives but plenty of desire to chart a life for future generations. General-interest libraries will find it a popular pick, especially with scrapbooking gaining such attention for its visual memories.

Zousmer's You Don't Have to Be Famous offers varied and interesting approaches to material, concrete writing tips (be specific, use names, change pace), and talks about how to find and use memories. He takes us step by step through the process and encourages careful thought about who our audience is. He even explores the ethical issues accompanying confession. Finally, he reviews the merits of self-publishing, and gives some brief thoughts and suggestions about the use of audio and video formats. And he does it in just over two hundred readable pages. If you've ever thought about writing an autobiography or even simply crafting some signature stories from your life, this is the book for you.

Zousmer makes many realistic statements about what is needed, or not needed, in order to write your own personal history. I found that his advice allowed me to foget about being worried because I was not famous, or a professional writer, or had any idea of how to proceed with telling my story. I'm working on putting my life down on paper right now, (so my family will have a permanent record of me) and find myself continuously referring to Zousmer's book for guidance.

By the time I neared finishing "You Don't Have to be Famous" I couldn't wait to start writing my own life story. Zousmer warns the reader of the pitfalls autobiographers face, yet his enthusiasm for autobiography for the average person is contagious. This book is to amateur autobiography what Strunk & White's "Elements of Style" is to clear writing. It's beautifully written, too.

This is a really great book full of a ton of helpful advice. I really like to write and people have been telling me for years that I should try to publish the kids' books I write for my sister. The Scholastic website recommended this book and I'm so glad I got it because I had no idea all the different elements there were to consider when publishing a book! The only thing is that after I read this book I felt a little depressed at the prospect of getting my book published. This book definitely doesn't give you false hopes, LOL!! But at least they present a realistic view.

Some good articles, especially regarding things like query letters, and of course, the listings that make researching much easier.

A "must have" thorough book of guidance for any writer and illustrator. Very well done. If your efforts are directed to selling your work, buy this book.

This book has a wealth of information and is so much more than just a list of publishers. There are tips on what and how to submit a manuscript and interviews with first time writers. I am very happy that I purchased this book.

I am a publisher author and illustrator, and I know first hand that this book works! How? Because it helped me to get where I am today! I have writers and illustrators asking me all the time how to get published, and I always direct them to this book. If you are a serious writer or illustrator, you NEED this book - not only does it have the names and addresses of countless publishers, it also has invaluable tips, and how-to's on everything from writing a query letter, to website design. I buy it every year, even though I no longer need it. I've purchased other "How to get published books" in the past, and none of them hold a candle to this one! Stop thinking about it and buy it!

I am a parent and bought this book for use with my children. I would recommend it to all parents. You never know when it would come in handy.

I must say that this is one of the better graphic organizer books that I have purchased. I have many of them but this one seems to be one of my tried and true graphic organizer books. I have used it for different stories, different subject areas, and different grade levels. This is a book that will not have time to collect dust! I recommend this book!

This book is a great resource for any teacher, of any subject. I had it recommended to me in a grad class on reading recovery, but after purchasing it, it's quite apparent that these organizers can be used for any subject and grade level or skill level. The book has some fabulous graphic organizers, as well as suggestions for designing your own organizers, encouraging student-designed organizer use, and more. It also gives some good ideas on how to raise or lower (by grade or skill level) the organizers in the book. Well worth the money!

This was a handy little teacher's aide. I used several of the organizers and it was nice to use something premade rather than make them up myself.

As a reading teacher, I use graphic organizers a great deal with my K-6 students. Although I own several graphic organizer resource books, this is the one I use most often. The organizers are unique, fun, and very easy to use. If you are going to purchase just one graphic organizer resource, this is the one I most highly recommend.

Great book for those of us who didn't pay attention in school!

This book is wonderful for those who have forgotten the basic grammar/punctuation lessons you learned in grade school. It's very straightforward;it's quick and easy reading. There aren't vaguely familiar english terms you have to look up in the dictionary before you can understand the pretense of the paragraph. I have recommeded this book to friends and co-workers and they have enjoyed reading it and learning a few things, too. It's worth the small investment!

This book is easy to read and find quick answers. Ask a question and an answer is there in everyday language. What could be better than that!

This excellent little book promises instant answers to grammar questions and delivers! Its chapters are all separated into "parts" with headings that include: Grammar Gripes, Then and Now (includes a chapter entitled fives lies your english teacher told you), Punctuation Points, Mechanics(includes how to handle numbers, capitalization and many other chapters), Grammar, Mastering Business Writing, and an Appendix (it includes troublesome words and phrases, words that are easy to misspell, business words & formatting for letters and memos). By the way, even your kids will find this an easy reference to their grammar questions -- it's a good book for all ages.

The day I got this book I actually was able to put it to use immediately -- I was writing something and had a question about the word "that" (as in "she told her that...). I was able to open the book and get the answer immediately! On closer inspection I found that it deals with just about any grammar question you might have. This is a truly powerful little book! I'm glad I bought it, you will be too!

This book just came from Amazon today so I haven't read it yet. But I wanted to share with you what I was most delighted with when I opened the book. I must have been day-dreaming when the teacher taught the rule of Y. All these years, I'm 46, I never new when to leave the Y and add s, or drop the Y and add ies. In fact, that rule was one of the reasons I bought the book. You can imagine how happy I was when the first page I turned to was the very rule I was looking for--the rule of Y. I can't wait to get into the section on commas.

After skimming through the book, I saw many rules that I have forgotten, but that, Joanne Feierman, has resurrected into a fun easy way to remember. I doubt I'll ever forget the rule of Y from now on. You know, when I think about it, there was probably a good reason why I was day-dreaming thirty-five years ago.

What I love the most about Jeff Wilhelm's reading strategy books is that I always come away with ideas I can use the next day in the classroom. This book has ideas you can use in the classroom on EVERY page. Teachers, myself included, don't have all the time in the world and can't read all the articles and books on new research that we wish we could. But make the time to read this one. It is worth every minute!

This book arrived in excellent condition. It arrived much better than I thought it would. Thank you so much.

I have not found a better book to help students really get into literure and LOVE IT!!!

It is exciting, informative, and has great ideas for teaching literature!

Wilhelm's book, Action Strategies for Deepening Comprehension is one of the most valuable teaching resources I own. I've had phenomenal success with the hotseating and tableaux activities, only two of the terrific resources in this great book. Kids of all ages love hotseating in particular because it's so much fun. In a nutshell: one kid gets in front of the room (I drape a piece of red fabric across the stool) and "becomes" the character. He/She may have a "helper" of their choosing by their side. The rest of the class are "reporters" who ask the character any question they choose. The student in the hotseat may confer with his "helper" in order to answer as the character would...and therein lies the beauty of this. As the questions and answers unfold, everybody is thinking and when an answer doesn't ring true, the majority
will know it and question it.

We've done this with multiple characters as well as the "author." The questions are nearly always completely authentic; as kids, most would feel stupid speculating about motive, etc., and asking questions, but as
"reporters" it feels completely natural. I love to see the light bulbs go in everybody's head when new ideas--synthesis!--occurs.

One of my best hot-seating moments was after reading "The Gift of the Magi," a difficult work for my 8th graders. We'd hotseated the two main characters as well as O. Henry, and it was the question to O. Henry that did it. A girl who had a real problem with making inferences asked him why he'd written the lines about Della being afraid that her new short hair made her look like a Coney Island chorus girl. My student, Tony, clearly had paid no attention whatsoever to that description--in fact I was surprised that anyone had-- and he really had to think. Finally, he answered, saying, "I wanted Della to be a little bit afraid that maybe she didn't look like a (and he stressed thsi)nice girl."

The book also offers a number of other "action" activities that you can use. For my money, these are terrific
for any age! I encourage you to check this out. I also had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Wilhelm present his research and findings on his new book, Going with the Flow, and I was wowed to hear him in person as well.

I took a workshop with Wilhelm this summer. He demonstrated these techniques and I quickly bought the book.
This book has revolutionized my teaching and I am going back to school this year incredibly excited about using it in my classroom. I teach kids that struggle and this is going to be great for them.

Wilhelm is a dynamic speaker. If you can, snag him for your school's professional development or run to any workshop he is giving.

Enjoy!

Al Tompkins scores with a practical guide to make pictures and words compelling, even for a novice TV reporter.

Al Tompkins just gave a great presentation at RTNDA on how to find information on the internet. The seminar was filled with humor, insight, and just plain useful information. This book has a similar feel, like advice from someone who wants you to succeed. If a lot of young people read this book (along with some older journalists), perhaps journalism won't be in quite the spot it finds itself in.

I've worked as a tv reporter for nearly 21 years...16 years in Portland, Oregon. This is by far one of the very best books I've read on the art of writing for tv news. I found it useful after reading the very first page. Tompkins uses clear, concrete examples to illustrate his points which instantly made me a better writer. Its refreshing to think about our craft with new insight on the purpose and focus of each story. I've urged all the producers and reporters in our newsroom to get and read this!

I purchased this book to help teach high school students how to write for broadcast, and the lessons Tompkins gives are valuable for students and professionals. Tompkins shows the process behind the writing and the factors a reporter should consider, such as when less writing is more. The book is funny, entertaining, and touching at the same time. He gives many specific examples, including exerpts from scripts, that show the detail and the planning behind the writing. It changes the viewer's perspective on the television news, and it certainly could help professionals refine their writing for broadcast.

Mr. Tompkins' book was the reason I got my first job coming out of college. The first two stories I put on my resume tape were heavily influenced by the things I read in 'Write for the ear, shoot for the eye, aim for the heart.'

Al explains things so that you not only understand how to do the things we do, but also why we do the things we do. I still keep the book on my desk, and whenever my reporting gets into a rut, I haul out Al's book and re-read it. My next few stories are always better than my last few stories.

I think this book is very helpful to all slang or informal language normally use in their life, explain very carefully the means for all expressions. I think is a good book to buy mostly for people is in learning english.

Well, 52 weeks may be a litte bit too long but it works finally. And it is easy to follow up. Try it!

Ihis is a new way to improve our english by reading something you like. It was so nice to put everything together as a book, which can be easily carried along with you.

Excellent reference book

This book is the most helpful and valuable book that I have ever read as a second language speaker of English. The daily idiomatic expressions in American English were always nightmare for me before I had started to read and study this book.
The idioms are uniquely classified into different categories with its week-by-week methodology. The usage of everyday English explanations and illustrations makes idioms easy to understand. Every second language speaker of English should have this book in order to communicate effectively in English.