"Beating Them All" Mostly Hype. Create Your Own Study Plan!

Beating Them All! Thirty Days to a Magic Score on Any Elementary Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification by Chris Nicholas Boosalis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

****snore*****

I briefly referenced most of the book, but read all of Chaper Two: Magic Content. In addition to my review below, I was surprised at the number of editing errors or omissions, and surprised to see that Pearson published this.  Shabby editing.

First of all, the idea of "magically" getting a good score on a test is appealing, but stupid.  I know that idea was in the title, but I didn't realize the Boosalis would continue to throw that in there.  I suppose it was supposed to boost my confidence, but all it did was make me feel like I was reading an infomercial.

In fact, precious space (and study time, had I read the whole book) was used often to explain how valuable, well-organized and extremely essential everything in the book was.  I tired of these mini marketing statements when I know exactly why I bought this book:  To dig into basic concepts of reading assessment and instruction at the elementary levels that I don't encounter regularly as a high school teacher. Unfortunately, I only really found that info. in one chapter.

I suppose that Chapter 2 was useful in the sense that it reassured me that my internet search for resources was actually well on the right track, and that had I known this book was so much about test strategies and so little about actual content, I could have prepared just as well by spending more time with the resources I found online.  You can peruse my list of resources on my blog without paying 28.99: http://amethysthintonsainz.blogspot.c....  Also, it did conceptually help me to create a schema for some of the information that I found online, and I think that will be helpful.

The other chapters were all about testing strategy. I feel very confident about my essay writing skills, and my ability to study for and pass a multiple choice exam.  I suppose that if I felt less competent in these areas, the rest of the book would have been more useful.  To Boosalis' credit, the tables and charts at the end of the book do provide good structures for creating a study guide to the material, and some people might benefit from that. The problem is that it wasn't really comprehensive, and so something like an electronic file or flashcard set that can be added onto is more useful for me.

If you have huge test anxiety or are not a quick or organized student, this book would be more useful.  If you are looking for an overview of essential issues, there are just as useful ways to go for less money.


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Ron Hikes Trail of Tears... and Then Writes a Book!

I am not QUITE finished reading Ron Cooper's book, It's My Trail, Too. But I wrote a review anyway.  I'll probably finish reading it tonight. You can read more about his adventures on his Facebook page as well.  His book is available on Amazon-- you should buy it!  835 miles of awesomeness... and a surprising number of dogs.

It's My Trail, Too: A Comanche Indian's Journey on the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Ronald R. Cooper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I can't give this book any less than five stars because... well... the author is married to one of my oldest friends and is also a dear friend to me. 

Aside from that, I still recommend this book for anyone interested in long-distance backpacking, American history or the Trail of Tears itself. 

Cooper does a fantastic job interweaving the personal challenges and frustrations of a long-distance hike with his aspirations for the hike, his philosophical ponderings, his spiritual reflections, and an impressive knowledge of American history and the history of the Trail.  I am almost finished reading, and the thing that strikes me most about this book is how many open-ended questions he uncovers about the trail, and how many specific places he leaves in his wake that have the potential to be researched and validated as newly recognized portions of the TOT or witness buildings. Although I am not an expert on the TOT, it seems to me that he has made important contributions to the historical preservation of the Trail.  I am also leaving with a much more in-depth understanding of the logistics of his undertaking-- nobody had this all mapped out and established before he started.  It's much different than hiking many of the established trail systems that go long distances-- he really did re-pave the way for others who would want to attempt what he did. Wouldn't it be cool if there were enough interest in this walk, and if some of the local/ state TOT societies created informal hostels or small areas of private or public land designated for hikers on the trail who wanted a place to camp? 

I am also incredibly impressed at the commitment Kristal made to these logistics and to enhancing Ron's ability to connect with others along the way.  I can only imagine all of the driving, e-mails, phone calls, weather forecasts, RV-related tasks, etc. involved.  She is a true life's companion to help Ron achieve his dream.

One minor technical detail:  I was distracted by the sheer volume of exclamation points throughout the book.  However, I did find Ron's upbeat attitude, positivity and sense of humor endearing, and the exclamation points are only a surface level expression of that.  So, you go, Ron!!!!!!



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Get it off! Get it off!

Having had no luck in getting technical support for podcasting at school, except for our very generous newspaper teacher Mr. Bourland, I really hope I do not react as the child above during class fifth period tomorrow. I'm counting on my students' prior digital literacies... and their ability to coach each other through.

I took the photo outside of BICAS in Tucson last week when we went there to try to find training wheels for my daughter's bike.  Someone on FB asked me if it was Banksy, a street artist (in the U.K.?)  I doubt it, but at least now I know who Banksy is.  I like the idea of guerilla art.  I want to do something with that idea in my Creative Writing class this year. Somehow, without getting in trouble.

Okay.  Back to setting up my class wikis.  Here's one promising result of my online efforts with students: http://badgersread.wikispaces.com/

Although, speaking of teachers having to resort to guerilla tactics in support of their students, check out this story about a middle school ban on student-to-student hugs. I'm sorry, but I would feel like the hugest jackass in the world writing up a student for giving a simple, friendly, supportive hug to another student.  That's ridiculous.