Authors
in the Classroom :
A Transformative Education Process
by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy
Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy combine inspirational examples and practical how-to's to create a unique resource for teachers!
Thousands of teachers have experienced the awakening of their own creative writing voice through participating in the writing courses and workshops offered by Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy. The rich tapestry of these teachers' voices is a major highlight of this book. In turn, teachers have used their own self-published works to inspire students and parents to write their own stories, and those voices are included in here as well.
In addition to offering a plethora of inspiring examples of works authored by classroom teachers, parents, and students, this book also includes practical, step-by-step activities and a solid grounding in theory. Written in a clear and reader-friendly style, this combination will enable teachers to experience the benefits of this creative approach to building strong classroom communities.
Includes 10 thematic units, with writing starters and activities for teachers, parents, and children.
Features sections on facilitating classroom dialogue and unlearning oppression/education for liberation.
Showcases abundant examples of teachers' self-published books, as well as students' and parents' writing.
While most teachers feel comfortable sharing their enthusiasm for
reading with their students, few feel equally at ease in exploring the power of
authorship.
The process suggested in this book for authoring self-reflecting
books, has been embraced by numerous teachers who have found that in writing
personal books about themselves, their families, their life journey, and their
goals as teachers bring about three distinct kinds of benefits:
1. a greater self-awareness and a possibility to reevaluate their
own vocation as educators.
2. greater confidence and strength to guide their students in
their own process of discovering of voice.
3. a new relationship, of greater trust and equality, with the
students families’ based on shared human experiences.
We are extremely grateful to the teachers, families and students
who have shared with us their works to be included as examples in this book and
to all those others, whose words have not been reproduced in the book, but who
are present in it, through all we have learned from them in the process of
teaching “Authors in the Classroom” courses, workshops and seminars throughout
the United States and abroad. We know many of you have been anxiously awaiting
the publication of this book and it is a joy to let you know it is finally
available. Reviews : “This book is nearly perfect. It will become
a classic.”
Stephen Krashen , University of Southern California. “Authors in the Classroom shows us what education
can be and should be: a safe environment for intellect and identity to expand
and connect with the collective intellectual and cultural accomplishments of our
global society. As evidence for its claims about what education can achieve this
text provides neither empty theory nor soulless empirical research but rather
the voices of teachers, students, parents, and the authors themselves, exploring
through writing the limits of human reality and potential.”
Jim Cummins, University of Toronto. “I want to start by saying that this is a
powerful book which was a joy to read. The book provides a much-needed bridge
between theory and practice of Transformative pedagogy. It is what every
teacher/prospective teacher looks for: a step-by-step guide to putting lofty
ideological ideals into practice. The examples speak for themselves about the
rich potential of the model.”
Elsa Auerbach, University of Massachusetts—Boston. Published by
Allyn & Bacon
Available in English at :
www.delsolbooks.com
and 1-888-335-7651.