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A Reason to Teach: Creating Classrooms of Dignity and Hope
I loved A Reason to Teach. It challenged me to think about how to infuse democratic principals into the intellectually charged reading and writing workshops that thrive in our best schools. Every thoughtful educator needs this book.
Stephanie Harvey, coauthor of The Comprehension Toolkit This book shows why James Beane's work is so crucial to all of us. It needs to be read by anyone who is both deeply concerned with countering the challenges coming from conservative movements in education and committed to building an education that is worthy of its name.
Michael W. Apple, coauthor of Democratic Schools Over his long career, James Beane has worked with teachers at all levels and been a voice for progressive reform in American education. In A Reason to Teach , he brings together many of the best ideas about teaching, learning, curriculum, collaboration, and community. Not only does Beane show us how to make deep learning happen in the classroom, he also challenges us to enact our nation's noblest ideals in our work with young people. A Reason to Teach is written for teachers who want to bring democratic teaching to their classrooms and schools. The book not only explains why teachers should choose this point of view, but tells how , offering a wide range of practical resources for classrooms and schools at all levels, including tools All of these ideas are illustrated with vibrant examples from real classrooms around the country, including an extended case study of how one teacher and his students in a large city organized their curriculum around the goal of getting a new school for their neighborhood. Throughout A Reason to Teach , Beane offers specific guidance on instructional strategies that emphasize students' choice, participation, and critical inquiry. The book offers suggestions on how to get started in the classroom, how to think in new ways about what we already do, and how to reach out to colleagues for support. Eminently practical and thoroughly principled, A Reason to Teach shows the how, the why, and the power of the democratic way. In a time when national educational policy is drifting away from its founding principles, James Beane takes us back to the real basics, building upon the long history of progressive education with insights, encouragement, and hope for renewing our commitment to it in the classroom and the nation.
Stephanie Harvey, coauthor of The Comprehension Toolkit This book shows why James Beane's work is so crucial to all of us. It needs to be read by anyone who is both deeply concerned with countering the challenges coming from conservative movements in education and committed to building an education that is worthy of its name.
Michael W. Apple, coauthor of Democratic Schools Over his long career, James Beane has worked with teachers at all levels and been a voice for progressive reform in American education. In A Reason to Teach , he brings together many of the best ideas about teaching, learning, curriculum, collaboration, and community. Not only does Beane show us how to make deep learning happen in the classroom, he also challenges us to enact our nation's noblest ideals in our work with young people. A Reason to Teach is written for teachers who want to bring democratic teaching to their classrooms and schools. The book not only explains why teachers should choose this point of view, but tells how , offering a wide range of practical resources for classrooms and schools at all levels, including tools All of these ideas are illustrated with vibrant examples from real classrooms around the country, including an extended case study of how one teacher and his students in a large city organized their curriculum around the goal of getting a new school for their neighborhood. Throughout A Reason to Teach , Beane offers specific guidance on instructional strategies that emphasize students' choice, participation, and critical inquiry. The book offers suggestions on how to get started in the classroom, how to think in new ways about what we already do, and how to reach out to colleagues for support. Eminently practical and thoroughly principled, A Reason to Teach shows the how, the why, and the power of the democratic way. In a time when national educational policy is drifting away from its founding principles, James Beane takes us back to the real basics, building upon the long history of progressive education with insights, encouragement, and hope for renewing our commitment to it in the classroom and the nation.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 8, 2022
All about the idea of democratic teaching -- lots of listening to kids, lots of collaboration, lots of inquiry/experimenting. It feels really great in theory, but 17 years later and we still haven't gotten quite there yet.
February 5, 2022
Great book. I can't wait to try to implement it in the classroom
February 1, 2008
I am actually cited in this book so I have to give it a 5!=) Honestly, though...James Beane has a great understanding on how to teach children, especially urban youth. He and his wife, Barb Brodhagen, have been asked to present around the world. Some governments, including New Zealand, have invited them to come and explain this way of teaching. They are both amazing and I am very fortunate to have learned from them.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews