Student-Centered Language Arts, K-12 is the fourth edition of a seminal text, first published in 1968. It is at once a textbook for college methods courses and a resource book for curriculum supervisors, language arts and reading coordinators, and above all, classroom teachers at all levels. It is arguably the most comprehensive, usefully detailed, and original textbook/resource book on English education. The authors have significantly revised this edition to take account of current trends. They have dropped much of the rationale and theory, because the essentials of the approach they advocate no longer need justification-having been adopted in the last decade under such rubrics as whole language, reading in the content areas, writing across the curriculum, using language to learn, integrating the language arts, replacing basal readers with children's literature, cooperative learning and collaborative learning, process writing and process reading, writing response groups, peer editing, portfolio assessment, teacher-student conferencing, student empowerment, active learning, and critical thinking. Increasingly, verbal learning is allied to nonverbal media and arts that compete with and complement language, and all learning is placed in a social context. The book is the centerpiece of life work devoted to curricular innovation and constitutes a truly original approach to the nature of discourse. It is cross-referenced to Moffett's equally original collection of anthologies that illustrate with both professional and student writing the reading, writing, talking, dramatizing repertories it stakes out - and to Moffett's other works that build on and extend Student-Centered Language Arts, K-12 .
As a teacher of language arts for 30 years I could not have survived without this book, which is periodically updated. It has been my bible for teaching language arts and given me not just techniques, but enthusiasm and energy for teaching. My students have certainly profited due to this volume. My most academically-talented students (based on standardized tests), who can be the most critical of a teacher, and who are now in senior high school and even college have chosen me FOUR times--an accolade as rare as hen's teeth--as THE "teacher who made a difference," to be placed in WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICA'S TEACHERS. I certainly owe much to co-authors James Moffett and Betty Jane Wagner, the latter who has written many other books for teachers. A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up
Student-Centered learning is right on target
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This book was very interesting, informative, and educational. Moffett and Wagner have done an excellent job of giving instructional strategies appropriate to every age group from K-12. Moffett is a visionary whose ideas were ahead of his time. The authors begin by giving a step by step guide to setting up a classroom geared toward student centered learning. The book has three sections, orientation, basic processes, and kinds of discourse. The orientation portion helps the reader to become familiar with student centered learning. The basic processes give different methods of engaging students in activities where they are the center and not the teacher. The book linked reading, spelling, and writing. Moffett and Wagner believe that reading, spelling, listening, and thinking are major determinants to learning to communicating effectively. The section kinds of discourse give innumerable ideas on facilitating the effective use of language arts throughout the curriculum. I would suggest this book for anyone looking to enhance instruction for their students in the classroom or children at home.
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