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Places grammar theory in context with practical instruction strategies, explains why students often don't understand or apply grammar correctly, and demonstrates how to create a workshop environment that supports grammar and mechanics concepts.
Some teachers love grammar and some hate it, but nearly all struggle to find ways of making the mechanics of English meaningful to kids. As a middle school teacher, Jeff Anderson also discovered that his students were not grasping the basics, and that it was preventing them from reaching their potential as writers. Jeff readily admits, “I am not a grammarian, nor am I punctilious about anything,” so he began researching and testing the ideas of scores of grammar experts in his classroom, gradually finding successful ways of integrating grammar instruction into writer's workshop. Mechanically Inclined is the culmination of years of experimentation that merges the best of writer's workshop elements with relevant theory about how and why skills should be taught. It connects theory about using grammar in context with practical instructional strategies, explains why kids often don't understand or apply grammar and mechanics correctly, focuses on attending to the “high payoff,” or most common errors in student writing, and shows how to carefully construct a workshop environment that can best support grammar and mechanics concepts. Jeff emphasizes four key elements in his teaching:short daily instruction in grammar and mechanics within writer's workshop;using high-quality mentor texts to teach grammar and mechanics in context;visual scaffolds, including wall charts, and visual cues that can be pasted into writer's notebooks;regular, short routines, like “express-lane edits,” that help students spot and correct errors automatically.Comprising an overview of the research-based context for grammar instruction, a series of over thirty detailed lessons, and an appendix of helpful forms and instructional tools, Mechanically Inclined is a boon to teachers regardless of their level of grammar-phobia. It shifts the negative, rule-plagued emphasis of much grammar instruction into one which celebrates the power and beauty these tools have in shaping all forms of writing.
A philosopher/mechanic's wise (and sometimes funny) look at the challenges and pleasures of working with one's hands “This is a deep exploration of craftsmanship by someone with real, hands-on knowledge. The book is also quirky, surprising, and sometimes quite moving.” —Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman Called “the sleeper hit of the publishing season” by The Boston Globe, Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a “knowledge worker,” based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.
Award-winning artist David Macaulay introduces readers to his hilarious new creations, Sloth and Sengi, in How Machines Work: Zoo Break! Get your cogs turning with these mega machines! This amazing, award-winning visual guide showcases the science and technology behind the most important machines ever invented. How Machines Work is a unique book full of inspiring illustrations by award-winning artist David Macaulay and packed with interactive elements, including press-out models, pop-ups, and pull-outs. Sloth and his sidekick Sengi are two furry friends on hand to guide you through the book and break down the basics. They’ll give you the lowdown on levers, pulleys, screws, inclined planes, wedges, and wheels on this intrepid adventure. You’ll find out how all different technologies work, from bicycles, cranes, and drills to diggers, hammers, and zips. Along the way, you’ll help Sloth and Sengi plot their daring escape from the zoo using only newfound scientific knowledge to make a machine designed for break outs and break aways. But will they succeed? Grab this essential guide, get your brain in gear, and get set for engineering greatness.
Revision is often a confusing and difficult process for students, but it's also the most important part of the writing process. If students leave our classrooms not knowing how to move a piece of writing forward, we've failed them. Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond will help teachers develop the skills students need in an ever-evolving writing, language, and reading world. Jeff Anderson and Deborah Dean have written a book that engages writers in the tinkering, playing, and thinking that are essential to clarify and elevate writing. Focusing on sentences, the authors use mentor texts to show the myriad possibilities that exist for revision. Essential to their process is the concept of classroom talk. Readers will be shown how revision lessons can be discussed in a generative way, and how each student can benefit from talking through the revision process as a group. Revision Decisions focuses on developing both the writing and the writer. The easy-to-follow lessons make clear and accessible the rigorous thinking and the challenging process of making writing work. Narratives, setup lessons, templates, and details about how to move students toward independence round out this essential book. Additionally, the authors weave the language, reading, and writing goals of the Common Core and other standards into an integrated and connected practice. The noted language arts teacher James Britton once said that good writing floats on a sea of talk. Revision Decisions supports those genuine conversations we naturally have as readers and writers, leading the way to the essential goal of making meaning.
From the back cover: Have you ever wanted to participate in your aircraft's maintenance, but were afraid to try? Are the rising costs of flying keeping you on the ground? This illustrated manual is written for mechanically inclined Part 91 pilot owner/operators that are ready to learn more about their airplanes. It describes common maintenance activities that are approved for pilots to perform by the FAA, along with a number of other projects that you might wish to complete under the supervision of a certified mechanic. The book focuses on common "legacy" single engine aluminum aircraft built from the 1940s through today. Whether changing your oil, installing new tires, or checking engine compression this 160 pages of text and photos provides procedures and tips gathered over the past 27 years.
Pan's life used to be very small. Work in her dad's body shop, sneak out with her friend Tara to go dancing, and watch the skies for freighter ships. It didn't even matter that Tara was a princess... until one day it very much did matter, and Pan had to say goodbye forever. Years later, when a charismatic pair of off-world gladiators show up on her doorstep, she finds that life might not be as small as she thought. On the run and off the galactic grid, Pan discovers the astonishing secrets of her neo-medieval world... and the intoxicating possibility of burning it all down.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Everyone! Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has the incredible power to change the way we think, perceive, and react to stress—for the better. And as an alternative method to mood-enhancing drugs, CBT has only become more popular. But until recently, access to CBT was only available through professional therapy. Now with The Brain Mechanic, Spencer Lord delivers a concise, humorous, and easy-to-use handbook that demystifies cognitive behavioral therapy for the lay user. With simple exercises, clear explanations, and helpful insight, Lord makes it easy for people to fit this technique into their daily lives, improve their mood, broaden their communication skills, and enrich their relationships. • Spencer Lord breaks down the science of cognitive behavioral therapy and turns it into actionable techniques that work immediately, including introducing "emotional algebra" for solving behavior issues in minutes • Provides practical techniques which can simply and effectively combat anxiety, anger, and a number of other emotional problems • Suggests customizable mental exercises for people of every age, background, and pace of lifestyle "Spending one night with The Brain Mechanic can change your life." —Lori Andrews: Legal Chair, Human Genome Project; Ethical Chair, Kent Law "Concise, accessible, and indescribably powerful." —David Geffen: Co-Founder, DreamWorks SKG
Twelve-year-old Zack Delacruz has remained happily unnoticed at his middle school... until now. When he sees his classmate being teased by the school bully, Zack surprises everyone--including himself--by breaking out of his shell and standing up to the tormentor. Somehow this act of bravery gets Zack put in charge of the sixth-grade dance fund raiser with none other than the bully himself! Zack's situation goes from bad to worse when he learns that his best salesperson for the chocolate bar fund raiser has been EATING--not selling--her candy bars. Zack never wanted to be the class hero, but with the hopes of the entire sixth grade on the line, can he come up with a new plan to save the dance?
