Top Ten Tuesday: Texts that Might be on Ricki’s English Methods Syllabus

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Text that Might be on Ricki’s English Methods Syllabus

This was tricky because I wanted to maintain a balance between professional development texts and quality literature. There are so many great choices! I changed the post title to “might” because I would change my mind next week. I’d love to hear what you would include on your list!

1. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

endangered

Did I just include Endangered on another TTT list? This is an incredibly teachable text, and I think it belongs on every Methods syllabus.

2. Shine by Lauren Myracle

shine

I am very excited to share about this Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award winner at the NCTE convention in November. It is a beautifully complex book.

3. Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

dr bird's advice for sad poets

This book not only belongs on every Methods syllabus, but it belongs in every English classroom around the world. This is the kind of book that will change a teenager’s life.

4. Tyrell by Coe Booth

tyrell

My students loved this book, and I think it teaches valuable life lessons.

5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

absolutely true diary of a part-time indian

This is a great book to teach identity development. And it is funny, too!

6. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

between shades

I taught this book to my tenth grade classes. Students read this book after Night, and they absolutely loved it. It is a book that is appreciated by all types of students.

7. Looking for Alaska by John Green

looking for alaska

I read this book in my own Methods class (ten years ago!), and my advisor still uses it today. I observed a recent Methods class she taught, and they loved it just as much as I did!

8. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

never fall down

The first few pages are difficult to understand, and then the reader becomes used to the language of this book. It is a phenomenal, true story—a story that I think everyone should read.

9. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

wintergirls

This is a great book to show the innovation that exists in literature. It would be great to teach in a creative writing class, too!

10. The English Teacher’s Companion by Jim Burke

Burke

My Methods class would be an amalgamation of books (e.g. Lesesne’s Making the Match and Reading Ladders, Plumb’s Commando Classics). The main reason I include this one rather than the others I listed (which I would ALSO use!) is because it is comprehensive for Methods courses. In other words, it focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listening, among other topics. It does a great job at it, too!

Which books would you include on your English Methods syllabus? 

RickiSig

3 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: Texts that Might be on Ricki’s English Methods Syllabus”

  1. Terrific list! I know just what you mean about changing your mind next week. I put off ordering books for my classes until August this year because I just couldn’t commit. So of course nothing is available in the bookstore, but hey, I did at least finally commit. The Jim Burke title is a favorite of mine too. I have a couple of students reading it this semester. And you’ve convinced me that I need to move Dr. Bird’s Advice to the top of my TBR pile!

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