Engaged in Learning: Teaching English, 6-12

Kathleen and James Strickland provide their students with opportunities for authentic learning through meaningful, reflective activities every day. They firmly believe that if we empower students to make decisions about their learning, to set goals, and to work at a pace that is appropriate for them, they will be engaged in true learning. The Stricklands demonstrate exactly how this happens-how students learn and how beliefs inform behavior, in teachers and students alike. In the process, they provide an indispensable methods book for English language arts teachers.

The authors draw on their backgrounds in composition, linguistics, and literary theory to ground their teaching in a philosophy that is student centered and inquiry based. In each chapter, they address the means to facilitate inquiry-in the reading or writing workshop, in the use of technology, or in assessment and testing. Best of all, they offer stories from real classrooms, numerous examples of lessons and handouts that are immediately usable, and suggestions for new activities that engage students.