Going Bohemian: Activities That Engage Adolescents in the Art of Writing Well

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Summary: Winner, Best Book in Education
Review: Gobo won the Best Book in Education Award this year from Independent Publisher.

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Summary: A great tool to empower students and teachers alike
Review: I am not a neutral reviewer. I am Lawrence Baines' brother. I am also not a teacher, though education has long been an intense passion of mine. For ten years now I have been a member and officer of SEAL (Society for Effective and Affective Learning). I have always admired Lawrence's many creative pursuits in music and art, and have long wondered just why he had decided to lend his great passion and enthusiasm to traditional education. The answer is that the field of education in which he works is a long way from traditional education. He is a revolutionary who continually seeks to bring that, perhaps, childish delight and joy of learning back into the classroom. Going Bohemian is a delightful collaboration of a group of very competent and passionate people who are all committed to empowering education and to making it more efficient, effective and fun for all concerned. There is no dry education theory in this book. It is a collection of very compelling ideas to fire and hold the attention of student and teacher alike. As I read it, I got excited as I turned page after page which I could vividly see transforming the boring thing which I have long considered traditional education to be. You can't go wrong. Buy, read, and use this book. Robert Baines

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Summary: A more creative and fun classroom
Review: This book is a gem. The ideas stem from 15 minuets warm up activities to two-week lesson plans. Many require only pencil and paper (the best writing tools), but some require other aids.

The thing about these lessons is that they are fun. Lots of group interaction, and an emphasis on the writing process (particularly idea generation) are the strengths of this book. There are also several grammar actives that are more practical and effective than the dreaded workbook. Further, the ideas are flexible. The individual teacher can modify all the activates to suit the skills and needs of her students. The enrichment suggestions in particular are very helpful.