Clearing the Way: Working with Teenage Writers

by Tom Romano

Clearing the Way is written for English teachers whose job is to help teenagers become better writers. Tom Romano, a full time high school English teacher when he wrote this book, has worked with hundreds of teenage writers. He knows well the problems and triumphs of teaching writing. In Clearing the Way teachers will find specific ideas and strategies, a workable philosophy for teaching writing, and, best of all, vivid stories and case histories of real teenagers. Romano discusses the importance of respecting students' words, the use of writing to learn and discover, the teacher-student conference, writing processes in theory and practice, the evaluation and grading of writing, the place of writing in literature classes, and the powerful creative current that can be transmitted among teenage writers. Whatever the topic, Romano illustrates his ideas with many examples of teenagers' own writing.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education, Writing

191 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 1987

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an excellent tool on how to incorporate writing into the classroom to make it worthwhile for both the teacher and the students. It is a great resource to keep on the shelf and pull out often.

[Christa Maurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for teachers now to teaching writing.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romano walks the reader through his teaching style and the goals that he has as an English teacher, which center on student engagement. The main way of doing this, he says, is to make the assignments valid to them. Teachers need to allow the creative juices to flow and let student's individual voices emerge. By fostering creative writing, students are motivated to put pen to paper and the ideas flow from there. In addition to using examples from his own classroom, Romano cites several pieces of research to show that his techniques are a necessity, not the latest fad.

I think every English teacher should read Romano because he has excellent ideas for teaching literature as well as expository writing. In addition, a lot of his techniques are easy to implement and enjoyable for students.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 3.5 stars, if I could.

As a teacher on special assignment for the last three years, I've had the opportunity to really think about writing and what I want from my students when I return to teaching next school year. What I want for them is what Tom Romano writes about in this book: freedom, security, passion, depth, appropriate guidance, growth, reflection... so much more than I feel I gave them before.

If you read a lot of English teacher-y books and articles, there's very little in Clearing the Way that's new in an earth-shattering way. But every so often, there are little nuggets of off-handed writing that sparks a thought about your classroom practice, an assessment, a discussion... and ways you could do them better. That's the value of this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book set in motion my realization that teaching secondary English is my calling. It wasn't until I picked up this book that I realized this is what I should be doing with my life. Before this, I was lost in the world of elementary education, not being able to find my place in that world. I finally realized that my world is secondary, not elementary. I guess you could say this book "cleared the way" for an epiphany of sorts. :o)

[Michael Cable · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting foray into an alternative style of teaching composition. At times interesting and poignant, at others a little too touchy-feely and hippyish, (wow man, just let the ideas in the room flow and your spirit will guide the process, man). Worth a read for teachers.

[Kristi Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never really cared to use my degree in English Literature to teach writing courses. After reading Romano's fun and passionate approach to creative writing...I'm having second thoughts. This was not only educational and inspiring to read, it was also fun.

[Emily Hunt Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful resource. Love Romano's honest writing and practical examples of pedagogy played out in the classroom. Must return to when I am planning holistically for a year/semester. I feel invigorated to write now!

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was packed with ideas...I would have liked an updated version, one that includes the thought that kids have access to technology.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was an OK book, but most of it didn't necessarily offer a new perspective.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for educators.