The English Teacher's Companion, Third Edition: A Complete Guide to Classroom, Curriculum, and the Profession,   ISBN:9780325011394

Customer Rating: 

This book is great for teachers who have background expertise in English literature and need help learning how to make that knowledge work in a classroom setting. It's wonderful because the book is fully tailored to the needs of the English literature classroom. In that way, it is much more concrete and practical than most books on educational practices, which merely spout off vague theories with no information about real world practical application. Burke's 50 Essential Lessons is a more practical investment because it gives you handouts and guidelines for several lessons that you can use throughout the year, but this book is a great companion. Burke's other books Reading Reminders, Writing Reminders, and Classroom Management are also useful! After reading these books, I feel more than prepared to fulfill my dream of teaching classroom English!

Customer Rating: 

I absolutely LOVE this book. Being new to field, I find it extremely helpful with lesson planning and how to approach situations such as reading and writing. Definitly worth the purchase.

Customer Rating: 

While the price is a little steep, the book is worth every penny. There is so much useful information for language arts teachers in middle and high school. Although it's designed much like a college textbook (and apparently is being used as one, rightfully, in some places), it is easy to read and apply. Burke devotes chapters to reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and even listening, speaking, and thinking, incorporating each into a typical English classroom. As a California public school teacher, Burke addresses standards in that state, but these examples can be easily modified for anyone. Each chapter is filled with explanations, strategies, and examples of student work. The end of each chapter provides a chance at reflections and activities for the reader (of this book), as well as other resources. There are chapters on planning, assessment, technology, as well as addressing the needs of learners of different abilities, races, cultures, and languages. There is even a section on organization, along with ideas for prospective teachers. This book is not for the lazy; there's no cookie cutter program here and you will definitely have to delve into the book to get anything out of it. But if you do, I'm sure your students will profit.

Customer Rating: 

I started student teaching and I'm glad I bought this book. It's lengthy and covers nearly all topics. It puts everything together and is practical. I have read some education books that are just idealistic thoughts but impractical for the classroom. This is not like that at all.

The book has some good ideas. I've used some. In different chapters it discusses teaching reading, vocabulary, writing, AP classes, gender, race and culture in literature, teaching controversial novels, teaching special needs children and many topics. It is all-in-one book.

Customer Rating: 

Originally the second edition was the required text for my Methods course; however, this is the most valuable required book I have had to purchase for courses. When the third edition was released, I purchased it immediately. Burke provides practical suggestions while providing a clear image to the teacher to know how to implement the suggestion. One of the few books that I recommend to all teachers in high schools.