http://www.englishteacherguru.com Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:48:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Just back from a trip to Perth to do some PD for Pearson Professional Learning. It's a long flight but certainly makes you realise how big (and empty) Australia really is. Flying directly over Lake Eyre in full flood was definitely worth the trip alone. I spent a really enjoyable day ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/commentary/multimodality-in-perth/ A friend of mine is fond of telling his son to avoid the use of absolutes: 'You guys NEVER let me go anywhere', 'We ALWAYS have peas with dinner'. It is advice which people offering 'rules' for language usage might like to bear in mind. I am ALWAYS amazed, for ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/the-grammar-guru/exploding-the-myth-of-however/ The official NAPLAN website advises that the 2011 Writing Task genre will be persuasion and the sample task (http://www.naplan.edu.au/verve/_resources/persuasive_prompt.pdf).asks students to respond to the topic: Books or TV. Reading books is better than watching TV. What do you think about this idea? Write to convince a reader of your opinions. There are two points ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/writing/naplan-tip-1-for-persuasion-know-your-genre/ The following is the script of a video sequence I shot for Education Queensland, the state's education authority. The video is currently being used as a part of their literacy training for Middle School teachers throughout the state. For more information, email lindsay@wordsmartconsulting.com.au. Script: There's been some really interesting research done ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/writing/student-writing-making-a-real-difference/ (Walker Books; ISBN 978 1 4063 2630 7) Who is for? The publishers say 12-15 year olds, but some of the content may make it more suitable for 15-16 year olds if being used as a class reading book What's it about? After the sudden death of Bailey her older sister, seventeen-year-old ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/resource-reviews/the-sky-is-everywhere-by-jandy-nelson/ The secret life of Charlotte Bronte by Laura Joh Rowland (Pier 9; ISBN 978 1741969139) Who is it for? Well read teens What's it about? After success with the publication of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte is accused of breach of contract and travels to London with her sister Anne to clear her ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/resource-reviews/the-secret-adventures-of-charlotte-bronte/ Published by Candlewick Press; ISBN 978 0 7636 4627 1 Who is it for? Teenagers (12 years and up) What's it about? Jane Arrowood is fifteen years old when she loses her arm to a shark attack. The incident receives nationwide media attention thanks to video of the attack shot by a ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/resource-reviews/shark-girl-by-kelly-bingham/ Who’s it for? Children (particularly girls) aged 8-12 What’s it about? Flory, the Night Fairy, is attacked by a bat when she is only a few days old and her wings are badly damaged. As a result, she must take shelter in the garden of a kindly old lady who never ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/reading/the-night-fairy/   If you're looking for some useful books on Systemic Functional Grammar, here are some of my favourites: Butt, D. et. al. (2003). Using functional grammar: an explorer's guide. Sydney: Macquarie University. Derewianka, B. (1998). A grammar companion for primary teachers. Newton, Australia:PETA. Droga, L. and Humphrey, S. (2003). Grammar and meaning: an introduction ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/the-grammar-guru/useful-grammar-booksdrerwianka/ Getting boys to read is a struggle faced by many teachers. Here is a unit designed for and implemented originally in an all boys school; it's aim is to promote the value of reading. The language and format are based on the Queensland 2008 Senior English Syllabus (Open Trail version), ... http://www.englishteacherguru.com/reading/reading-unit-for-older-students/