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

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: After teaching 10th grade English for 8 years, I was beginning to feel like I need some inspiration to recapture my love of the profession. This book made me remember why I love teaching. Burke does a remarkable job providing strategies for both the novice and veteran teacher. The strategies provided can be used or adjusted easily for all levels and disciplines. I am in the midst of rewrting some lessons and plan on using many of Burke's ideas in my classroom.

Rating:
Summary: A Must For Every English Teacher
Review: I just started my 25th year of teaching and I am always on the lookout for new, fresh ideas. That's exactly what I got in Jim Burke's book. You can tell a teacher wrote it because it is designed to be read a few pages at a time in the teachers' lounge over a cup of coffee. I carry it in my briefcase and pull it out when I'm waiting for the kids at the dentist, during commercials of Indianapolis Colts football games, and waiting in the school parking lot for my daughter after volleyball practice. I've also contacted Jim on several occasions about teaching issues and he is extremely helpful and incredibly responsive. I'm not quite sure how he does all he does. If you are a first year teacher, buy this book. If you're approaching the end of your career, buy this book. If you're somewhere in between, buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Hesitate to Buy This Book
Review: In a world of disappointing texts on the nuts and bolts of teaching - Jim Burke's book delivers. I'm a new teacher, and I was given this book by a veteran teacher who considered it the English teacher's bible. She was not far off. I can't recommend this book highly enough as a complete resource for all teachers new and seasoned. With everything from structuring curriculum to bibliographies for further reading, I can't have asked for a better prep as I enter the world of teaching. I am infinitely grateful to Mr. Burke for his hard work in producing this magnum opus.