The Teacher's Desk
 
 

Chapter Reviews for
If They Don't Learn the Way You Teach, Teach the Way They Learn

  1. MEET THE TEACHER
    This chapter includes a thumbnail sketch of Jacquie's personal background, an extensive look at her teaching career, and an overview of her post-retirement school-related activities that led to this book. She says the book's contents are a result of her association with and contributions from teachers throughout the country. Four pages.

  2. THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
    Partner reading: Two children of similar reading ability; one child and one adult; one beginning and one advanced reader; or two groups — boys vs. girls, etc. In this chapter McTaggart explains the benefits of partner reading, offers guidelines to ensure a productive activity (as opposed to "screwing around"), and lists five book titles and two series specifically formatted for partner reading. Three pages.

  3. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BEG
    This chapter describes a practice (teacher hosts informal get-together with small group of parents) that has proven successful in getting parents to help their struggling or reluctant reader. The most important practice, a daily 15-minute Family Quiet Time, is described in detail, along with four less-important suggestions. Chapter includes a sample letter for parents. Three pages.

  4. CHECK YOUR BAIT
    Many kids (especially boys) would rather go to the dentist than pick up a book! How can combat this? Tempt them with bait they can't refuse. This chapter contains multiple lists of titles, categorized by gender appeal and age. All have extraordinary kid appeal. Includes suggestions for giving effective books talks that whet kids' interest. Nine pages.

  5. SOMETHING STINKS AROUND HERE
    In this chapter McTaggart shares another one of her many hilarious anecdotes, and tells why she endorses books such as Walter the Farting Dog. She gives a detailed plan on how a teacher can introduce and use these books without allowing inappropriate student language — such as, "Teacher, Billy farted." Chapter has mini-reviews for 18 "smelly" books. Four pages.

  6. IT'S IN THE BAG
    Directions for making student chair bags, and two sets of guidelines (one for grades k-2, and one for grades 3-8) for using them. Two pages.

  7. JUST ONE MORE CHAPTER — PLEASE!
    This is a "true confession" chapter. McTaggart tells how she used chapter books when she was teaching full time, and describes what she would do differently if she had it to do over. Chapter includes a list serial books that teachers have found to be exceptionally good for hooking third through twelfth grade reluctant readers. Three pages.

  8. IF YOU'VE GOT 'EM, FLAUNT 'EM
    Teachers triple the number of books their students read when they display them creatively and in a manner that appeals to kids. This chapter tells how to do it — with primary, intermediate, and middle school students. Four pages.

  9. STRAIGHT FROM THE KID'S MOUTH
    This chapter has is a charming, heartwarming, and funny letter written by a then seventh-grade youngster from Biloxi, Mississippi. In his letter Josh describes in humorous detail the unique method his teacher, Mr. Baines, used to turn him and fellow class members on to reading. Two pages.

  10. SHOW ME
    Graphic novels: what they are; why they motivate kids to read; how they differ from comics of yesteryear; where to find lists of the good and the not-so-good; how to convince administrators and parents of their value; and how to use them to supplement (not supplant) your literacy offerings. Four pages.

  11. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE LIBRARY
    An up-close examination of Reading Incentive Programs (RIP) such as Accelerated Reader, Pizza Hut's Book It, Scholastic's Reading Counts, and public library Summer Reading programs. In this chapter McTaggart discusses some RIP pitfalls, and suggests ways to alter these programs so that they better serve the needs of all students. Six pages.

  12. SHOWCASING READERS
    Weekly Reading Logs (WRL): What are they? How do you make them? Why should they be displayed in a prominent spot? Do they motivate kids to read? Should they foster competition? Learn the answers to these questions, and more. Three pages.

  13. LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE
    An examination of the pitfalls associated with the common practice of asking parents to sign a form that verifies (ahem) the number of pages or minutes a child has read at home. McTaggart thinks there is a better way, and she describes it in this short chapter. Two pages.

  14. MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
    Many kids avoid reading and most of them hate to write book reports, but they all LOVE the computer. What's the solution? If you can't beat ‘em, join ‘em. Teach students to write book reviews (not reports), and post them – with the student's name - on the Internet. This practice appeals to the kid's vanity, and it encourages him to read more and write more reviews. This chapter has a list of eight Internet sites that encourage, accept, and post student written book reviews. Two pages.

  15. JUST LIKE ME
    We can hook reluctant readers and entice struggling ones by introducing them to a book with a same-age main character. Kids like to read about children their own age because they feel like they have gained a new friend. This chapter has seven booklists — one for each grade K-6 — with a mini-review for each book. For example, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten by Joseph Slate is one of 16 books on the kindergarten list. The review says, "On the first day of kindergarten, Miss Bindergarten must prepare her classroom for her beloved students. The Sixth-grade Mutants Meet the Slime by Laura Williams is one of 12 books on the sixth grade list. That review says, "After a science experiment goes wrong, seven sixth graders discover the benefits of being mutants." Twelve pages.

  16. THEIR WAY
    Sixty quality Websites that kids enjoy. These sites allow kids to explore and have fun, but they are more than entertainment. They require reading and they demand critical thinking. Sites are listed by category and grade level. (K-12) Five pages.

  17. CONNECT TWO
    In this "transition" chapter McTaggart discusses the reading-writing connection and uses anecdotes to illustrate their interdependence. The preceding chapters focus on reading, whereas the ones that follow deal with writing. Four pages.

  18. READY, SET, WRITE
    Innovative writing practices and activities to use with the little munchkins: Author Folders; Team Writing; Alphabet Jumble; Journal Writing; Teacher Supplies Topic; The Write TOYS; Writing Jar; Writing Prompts; Puppets and Prose; S-T-R-E-T-C-H; Verb Charades; Children's Book as Writing Prompt; The Dreadful Rewrite; and a critical examination of the Daily Oral Language program. DOL. Thirteen pages.

  19. THE WRITE WAY
    Teaching "old" material a "new" way. This chapter suggests writing activities that appeal to today's 3rd-12th grade students: Let's Blog; Cheat Sheet — Five Senses; Team Writing, Narrative; Essay of the Week; Sentence Stretching; Post-It Note Paragraphs; Comic Book Writing; Punctuation, Paragraphing, and Outlining; Narrative Structure, Genre, Pop Culture, Homophones, Characterization, and Poetry; Book Report Alternative; Alliterations, Onomatopoeia, Puns, and Metaphors; Umbrella Writing; The Cliffhanger; Letter and E-mail Writing; and Headline Writing. (Note: There is extensive overlap between chapters 18 and 19.) Nine pages.

  20. THE MOUSE TRAP
    It's not uncommon for today's kids to do "research" with a click of the mouse. Some don't even bother to read what they copy and print. They highlight, copy, print, and expect an "A." What's the solution? Creative Writing Assignments! This chapter lists twelve traditional writing assignments commonly used by teachers (all of which invite plagiarism), and suggests an alternative creative assignment for each. (Grades 5-12) Eight Pages.

  21. THIS BATON'S FOR YOU
    Jacquie McTaggart has been teaching for fifty years and she has loved every minute of it. Well, almost every minute. This book is her way of passing the baton on to you. She hopes you will grasp it tightly, and run like the wind. Our future is in your hands. One page.

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Copyright 2009 Jacquie McTaggart
Last Update: August 25, 2009