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The English Teacher's Companion: A Complete Guide to Classroom, Curriculum, and the Profession
In the four short years since publication, the first edition of "The English Teacher's Companion" quickly became the instructional bible for English teachers. Covering the entire English curriculum, from basic reading and writing to digital literacy, media literacy, and integrated instruction, it proved to be a revolutionary guide for preservice and inservice teachers alik...more
Paperback, Second Edition, 544 pages
Published
January 23rd 2003
by Heinemann Educational Books
(first published January 30th 1999)
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This really is a must for a new teacher. I wish I'd had it ten years ago!
Though it was assigned as reading for my graduate studies in the fall, I finally read this book in full during the spring break of my first year as a teacher. Not only was the book engaging enough to hold my attention in Spain, it was so full of ideas that I began planning my next year of teaching in our hotel in Seville. I fully plan to reread this book and then reread it again. Thank you Jim Burke, for a practical, smart, and engaging book on teaching English.
Nov 13, 2012
Mark
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
professional-textbooks,
re-read
Nov. 2012: Still just about the most comprehensive ELA methods textbook out there, that I've seen. I am looking forward to this year's 4th edition, because some sections in this one are really showing their age.
I'm actually referring to the 3rd edition, which doesn't show up on Goodreads, but which is nicely updated from the 2nd edition. Like the Alsup and Bush book, this is one that has become a staple for my Methods course for preservice English teachers. Some chapters are more extensive, and...more
I'm actually referring to the 3rd edition, which doesn't show up on Goodreads, but which is nicely updated from the 2nd edition. Like the Alsup and Bush book, this is one that has become a staple for my Methods course for preservice English teachers. Some chapters are more extensive, and...more
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Some of its categories are overly simplistic (like the chapter on teaching ebonics in the English classroom), but most of the tactics and lessons are valuable. I especially liked the reflections and activities at the end of each chapter and Burke's literary lessons. He has integrated some fascinating tactics into the English classroom!
So far, I am 100 pages into it and I can't put it down. I picked it up hoping that it would by dry and boring and cure my insomnia..but I picked the wrong book. It is currently 4am...and I have been reading all night! I LOVE THIS BOOK! I can't wait to read more!
The positive: I mean, it's Jim Burke. He takes incredibly dry material and injects some life and passion into it. This really is one of the most indispensable texts I've used (the second would be When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do: A Guide for Teachers 6-12) in my college career.
The negative: As with most "complete guides to X," certain sections were less interesting/applicable than others.
The summary: An excellent resource and a wonderful gift for any English teacher or future teacher.
The negative: As with most "complete guides to X," certain sections were less interesting/applicable than others.
The summary: An excellent resource and a wonderful gift for any English teacher or future teacher.
This is the best English teacher resource I have read. It is full of practical ideas. Any time I am looking for something new to do in the classroom, I pull this book out.
I recently went back through this book. It contains so many ideas that teachers can use. Personally, I find something to revamp in my teaching/room everytime I look through it.
I'm reading this as a refresher after being out of college for 10 years. It has a lot of good ideas. I love the academic vocabulary list recommended for students to learn.
Jim Burke is the gold standard for English teachers everywhere.
It's too dense to digest!
A superb reference!
A good all around reference for the new English teacher. It pretty much tags every base. I thought that the appendix section was really the most valuable as it has a concise listing of good teaching strategies.
Aug 20, 2012
Jessica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
English teachers
Shelves:
2012
This book had some great strategies, but I wish that the format was different.
Awesome resource- So excited to use its advice. Burke's writing is clear,concise, and entertaining.
There are lots of great practical suggestions for English teachers, but there's also a lot of "oh, you need to buy and read my other books," with a definite emphasis on "buy." I'm getting tired of authors of pedagogical books trying to sell their other books in a book we've already bought.
Very well written, Burke's tone is personable and affable. Definitely a must for anyone who is teaching English at the secondary level.
Very well written, Burke's tone is personable and affable. Definitely a must for anyone who is teaching English at the secondary level.
I found this useful at the time I read it for my student teaching, but I don't remember anything about it clearly now. This book was required reading for my student teaching, but I've come across many other books that would have worked better, especially in conjunction with In The Middle.
I liked some of his ideas for integrating technology, but you'd have to be a super teacher to incorporate everything he suggests. My favorite chapter was "Teaching English and Having a Life," it which he argues you really do need to be organized to make it through this job.
Sep 19, 2008
Pauline
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Pre-Service & NEW English Teachers
Recommended to Pauline by:
Tom Reigstad
Shelves:
teaching
Well, this is the best book I could find for the English Methods class...it's quite long, and sometimes overly thorough if that's possible...but extremely thoughtful and provocative in the sense that it will get pre-service teachers thinking and reflecting on their practice.
Jun 18, 2007
Celeste
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
english teachers
Shelves:
readinthepast
I think all English teachers should read this book. It changed the way I approach lesson planning, teaching students, and my understanding of the humanity of teaching. This is one of those books that should be reread periodically.
How does Jim Burke find the time to write such high-quality books and teach? He's either got a ghost writer or he doesn't sleep. Either way, us mere mortals reap the benefits of his Puritanical work ethic and passion.
Oct 14, 2007
Catherine
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
english teachers, obviously.
Shelves:
reference-typebooks
This was actually the textbook for my English Methods class in college. And although my professor was mean and condescending, this book already feels like an old friend.
reading this for my teaching english course...it looks promisingly helpful.
so far so good...burke has some great ideas that i would like to implement in a class.
so far so good...burke has some great ideas that i would like to implement in a class.
Well arranged and very applicable. Makes lots of great recommendations, but is only exceptionally useful if you've already been teaching for some time.
Awesome resource!! English peeps, def get a copy! Anything you might want to know about is covered in here.
Mar 09, 2011
Michael Wolf
added it
It's one of those that makes one want to scan just about anything; I love the English Companion Ning website.
I'm reading the brand spanking new 4th edition and it is a gem so far!
for class. chock full of good suggestions even if it's occasionally corny.
Another great resource! Simply wonderful!
Practical and helpful.
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