Synopses & Reviews
Carroll and Wilson have taken their successful
Acts of Teaching into the 21st Century with this totally revised second edition. While maintaining the best of ActS≪/i>,
Acts II moves the paradigm into the global age. Comprehensive, innovative, and practical, and with forewords by two of the most noted scholars in the field, Janet Emig and Edmund J. Farrell, this text offers educators a powerful approach to teaching writing. Rather than repetitive exercises, it focuses on engagement and interaction so students grapple with words and experiences to make meaning.
In Acts II the writing process and assessment gain a new dimension. Recent research supports its content and strategies while cognitive development and neurological theories, early literacy, inquiry, and writing as a mode of learning across all disciplines and grade levels have been invigorated. Topics include students, shifts, and skills for the global age, the writing process and assessment, three chapters on how to teach grammar within the writing process, collaboration, post writing, and publishing. This book meets the needs of anyone writing or teaching writing. Grades PreK-12.
Review
The 2002 'No Child Left Behind' Act has forced educators to reflect on what is working in classrooms around the nation, and what will best help students to face the challenges of the twenty-first century. Joyce Carroll, Ed.D,, H.L.D. and Edward Wilson in their book, Acts of Teaching, Second Edition, provide invaluable insight into what classrooms in the 21st century should look like in terms of writing and reading. Acts of Teaching II equips teachers to teach writing in a way that students get excited about writing, and for visionary teachers and administrators, that is truly leaving no child behind.Fernando Castillo, principal of Donna High School in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Review
Acts of Teaching offers teachers of writing and those who support them a comprehensive resource that includes expansive research and solid pedagogy. In its first edition, it served as an indispensable guide to educators. In its second edition, it becomes an essential text. Teachers and supervisors will make it a constant companion in their work. It is the right book at the right time--a time when educators recognize quality writing instruction as a key to not only improved student performance but also enlightened thinking.Judy Wallis, Ed.D., Language Arts Director, Department of School Improvement &Support, Spring Branch ISD, Texas.
Review
When it comes to teaching writing, Carroll and Wilson have written the 'go-to' book. The new and updated Acts of Teaching is a cause for celebration. Keep it handy--you'll find it inexhaustibly practical and effective. And no wonder: this book is the creation of two great theorists whose lifework has been shoulder-to-shoulder with classroom teachers.Will Hobbs, author of Bearstone, Jason's Gold, and Crossing the Wire.
Review
"This updated text focuses on educating teachers with unique ways to engage students in the activity of learning to write….Chapters on how to shape student writing, assess writing, edit paragraphs, publish, and write collaboratively give teachers a broad spectrum of writing knowledge. The book's second half elaborates on the growth and development of the brain as it pertains to learning in adolescents, cognitive theories of learning, and connecting with the writer through reading and research….The samples of student writing and examples of teacher moderated exercises will be a welcome assistance to first time teachers whether it is elementary or middle school." - VOYA
Review
"Now in an extensively updated and significantly expanded second edition Acts of Teaching: How To Teach Writing….is a 501-page compendium of instruction on all aspects of the art and craft of teaching aspiring authors how to write effectively regardless of the genre or discipline they are writing in or for….Acts of Teaching is not only very highly recommended as an educational curriculum guide and supplement for the teaching of writing in a college or university level course, it is also invaluable reading for any aspiring writer seeking to become as effective as they can be within the demands of any scientific discipline, literary genre, or commercial enterprise they might find themselves working in." - Wisconsin Bookwatch
Synopsis
Comprehensive, innovative, and practical, this text offers educators a powerful approach to teaching writing by focusing on engaging students in grappling with words and experiences to make meaning.
About the Author
JOYCE ARMSTRONG CARROLL has taught almost all grade levels, was professor of English and Writing at McMurry University, and is co-director of Abydos Learning International, formerly New Jersey Writing Project in Texas (NJWPT), with her husband Edward E. Wilson. Carroll has served as President of the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, served on the National Council of Teachers of English's Commission on Composition, and was Chair of NCTE's Standing Committee Against Censorship and has written for numerous books and journals.EDWARD E. WILSON is co-director of Abydos Learning International, formerly the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas (NJMPT), with his wife Joyce Carroll Armstrong. He has taught at elementary and secondary schools and junior college levels and is a member of NCTE, TCTELA, and ASCD. Wilson is the owner of Absey &Co., a publisher committed to educational excellence and creative works of literary merit.
Table of Contents
Foreword to ACTS II by Edmund J. Farrell
Foreword to ACTS I by Janet Emig
Preface: A Parable
Introduction: Our Flattened World
Part I: The Process
Chapter One: Prewriting
Chapter Two: Writing and Organizing
Chapter Three: Writing as a Social Act
Chapter Four: Grammar and Correcting
Chapter Five: Grammar through Revision
Chapter Six: Grammar through Reformulation
Chapter Seven: Post Writing and Publishing
Chapter Eight: Assessment
Part II: The Theory and Pedagogy
Chapter Nine: Brain Power
Chapter Ten: Learning How to Learn
Chapter Eleven: Early Literacy
Chapter Twelve: Research
Chapter Thirteen: Writing as a Mode of Learning
Bibliography
Appendices
Index