Making the Journey: Being and Becoming a Teacher of English Language Arts

by Leila Christenbury, Ken Lindblom

Leila Christenbury's Making the Journey has long been a beloved classic in English methods courses as well as with in-service English teachers whose dog-eared copies occupy a permanent place on their classroom desks. The Fourth Edition adds a fresh new voice from veteran English Education professor Ken Lindblom, whose expertise in writing instruction, teaching with technology, and teaching informational and nonfiction texts complements Leila's love of literature and vast knowledge and experience across the field. You'll find brand new content on:

- CCSS and other college-and career-ready standards and assessments
- Genre studies, with special attention to informational nonfiction
- Digital literacies and technologies for teaching
- Classroom management and communicating with parents, administrators, and colleagues
- Teaching ELLs and students with special needs.

Leila and Ken's timeless advice, humorous anecdotes, and stories of successes and failures in the classroom infuse Making the Journey with life and light, and instill confidence in soon-to-be English teachers. Though ever reflective of the current realities of teaching, and chock full of stories about real students and their struggles and triumphs, the Fourth Edition remains a beacon of hope and optimism for all those willing to enter the greatest profession.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Read For School, Academic

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 1994

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I'd recommend for new or relatively new language arts teachers. Christenbury tackles everything from standards to grammar to ethics. One of my favorite quotes: "As exciting as teaching can be, as rewarding as students are, teaching is a high-intensity profession. It is marked by consistent, almost unyielding expectations from a large number of people, students, parents, and administrators alike."

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best textbook that I've had to read for class in my teaching program. The information is practical and has expanded my mindset on how to develop engaging lessons and activities. The vignettes from the authors throughout were a great way to break the text up and hear some real stories about being a teacher in the classroom. I'll definitely reread it this summer before I become a first-year teacher. That's less than a year away!

[Samantha]

I marked many of the parts that will be useful when I am working in my own classroom.

[Erika Forth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All new English teachers should read this. Christenbury gives helpful advice, anecdotes, and ideas on simply every aspect of the English Language Arts classroom. It is easy to read and very enjoyable. I am so thankful my English methods professor assigned this book. I have sticky-noted it up and plan on re-reading again when I get my first teaching job!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my best teacher friends gifted me this book when she heard I would be teaching English 1 this school year. It has been a very thoughtful, meaningful, applicable, practical handbook for me, a book I will turn to again and again. Thanks, Beth! :)

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interesting in becoming a teacher or just has an interest in the workings of a classroom should read this book. Christenbury speaks in such a natural tone and makes everything crystal clear. I love this book a lot and it definitely gave me more inspiration to teach.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pre-service teacher, I found this book to be immensely valuable! Very inspiring and illuminating.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for all English teachers.

[Sue]

As an inspiring writer and educator I am looking forward to reading this book.