Language+Arts


 * Elements of Language 4th Course**




 * ISBN: #0-03052667-1**
 * Copyright Date: 2001**
 * Edition:** #1
 * Publisher**: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
 * Authors**: Lee Odell, Richard Vacca, Renee Hobbs, John E. Warriner
 * Price and link to where it can be purchased:** $93.65 http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Language-Fourth-Lee-Odell/dp/0030526671

Book is fairly thick, and geared towards a 10th grade reading level. For being a high school book it still has a lot of color and pictures. It provides lots of examples for students to refer back too.

The book is geared towards a higher level of language arts comprehension. There are three parts of the book, communications, sentences and paragraphs, and grammar usage and mechanics. The third part, grammar, usage, and mechanics, is largely a review. Within the third section there is a lot of review on concepts like punctuation, sentence structure, parts of speech. The first section, communication, has the most new material, and geared towards technical writing skills at an advanced level. I**nternet site(s) and descriptions that would be appropriate to use instead of the book.** 1. []-Helps to organize thoughts and ideas for a paper visually. Instead of the book just giving a fake example of how the paper should look. 2.[]-Helps to organize thoughts, it is very visual. Provides definitions for types of persuasive writing. Can listen to the definition, or read it. There is an included print out for the teacher. 3. []- Helps to fix common misspellings that students might have. Shows different ways that words are spelled, then you must choose the correct one. It gives a visual picture of what the correct spelling should look like. Fun, and quick review, to make sure students are not relying on word processing to fix their spelling errors.
 * Brief description of the item in the book:**

Reflection/Thoughts: The textbook provides a lot of useful information, and is a pretty good resource. There are lots of pictures, reviews, examples, etc. However, we feel that the internet could provide extra tools and interactives to enhance student learning. They can use these at home, or during class.

4.Partner Names and class period: Allison Smith and Erika Hawley 10:30 Mondays



** Language Arts Today **
No photo online available

**ISBN** # 0-02-244306-1 **Copyright Date:** 1998 **Edition:** Classic Edition **Publisher:** MacMillan/Mcgraw Hill **Authors:** Ann McCallum, William Strong, and Tina Thoburn **Price:** $4.00 **Link to where it can be purchased:** [|http://www.dealoz.com/nr/ad_prod.pl?cat=book&op=buy&lang=en-us&search_country=us&shipto=us&cur=usd&zip=&nw=y&class=&pqcs=&quantity=&shipping_type=&sort=&cookie=0&ad_id=17279&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=google_isbn_book_sp_cpc_isbn_number_ads&utm_content=17279&utm_campaign=google_isbn_book_sp_cpc_isbn_number&query=0022443061&asin=&ean=9780022443061&upc=&mpn=&mfr]= Include other information about the book, maybe size and weight, or reading level or what other resources come with it, etc.? This particular book is actually pretty small for a textbook, while only weighing about four pounds. The reading level of this book is aimed towards 8th graders. In addition, this book has a glossary and index in the back. It also gives students helpful information about how to take notes and use a dictionary. However, this book is twelve years old, therefore, it is very outdated and probably wouldn’t be very useful for a classroom today. 1. Brief description of the item in the book. This book includes information for 8th graders about sentences, writing personal narratives, nouns, writing stories, verbs, writing explanations, pronouns, writing biographical sketches, adjectives, adverbs, writing descriptions, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections, writing editorials, complex sentences, and writing research reports. 2. Internet site(s) and descriptions that would be appropriate to use instead of the book. [] -This website includes very valuable information about step-by-step instructions for students on how to write a research paper. In addition, it includes online libraries that students could explore to find books or other resources. It also provides information about how to structure your paper. This internet cite is a lot more helpful than the book because it includes actual resources that the students can use and also instructions that will help guide the students when writing their paper. Furthermore, this website also give the students good research paper topics. [] -This internet cite provides a rap that would allow students to learn the parts of speech. This is a lot more helpful than the textbook because the students can sing and dance, while also learning about prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs. This rap that is provided online provides students to relax and have a lot more fun while learning, instead of just reading out of boring textbooks. [] This online cite allows students to get the definitions of words that they may not be familiar with, a thesaurus, flashcards, encyclopedia, translator, and even quotes. This is a lot more useful than the textbook because students are not able to have quick access to any of these things. [] This website has many examples of MLA citation and goes into detail how to site a paper. This site shows you how to site your paper in MLA format. [] This website is very helpful showing how to create a sentence. It also has the basic parts of a sentence and defines the term. This site also has sentence diagramming exercises, which shows how all the parts of speech are related. It also has examples of diagrams as a reference. 3. Reflection/Thoughts on why one is better than the other and justification for its use. We think that it would be better for our students to use internet sites rather than textbooks because it’s easier, faster, cheaper, and more reliable.For example, textbooks are very expensive. However, if you have access to the internet, then your students will be able to get online whenever needed. We also think that using the internet is a lot more fun and upbeat for students. To illustrate, many students get bored very easily by reading in their textbooks all day at school, therefore, by using online cites it makes education more exciting. Additionally, textbooks become outdated very fast. However, the internet is always being updated and has more reliable information. To conclude, we would eliminate the textbook overall. We think using the internet in the classroom over textbooks is a better way to educate students. The advantage of using the internet over the book is the internet is an unlimited resource, and there are endless possibilities to find content. Using the internet provides numerous explanations and examples for students to get a better understanding of the content. Textbooks do not go into depth and give limited resources. Students often get bored with textbooks and will not learn the content as they would with the internet. Partner Names: Ashley Chance and Ashley Trevor Class period: 7:30 Monday

1. Description:
 * // Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: Copper Level //**
 * ISBN#:** 0131804308
 * Copyright Date:** April 2004
 * Edition #:** Copper Level
 * Publisher:** Prentice Hall
 * Authors:**
 * Price:** $103.65; Purchasing information: []
 * More:** Hardcover, 9.9 X 8, 881 pages, 4 pounds, Reading Level: Ages 9-12, English/Language Arts
 * A research-based reading approach, offering your students a proven pathway to reading success.
 * Scoffolded skills instruction, providing a logical, systematic progression of language skill-building activities.
 * An embedded assessment system, utilizing a host of diagnostic and prespective tools to identify where students need help.
 * Multi-leveled resources for customized instruction, assuring that all students' needs are met through the most comprehensive lesson customization tools available.
 * A powerful combination of the world's best stories.
 * ([])

2. Internet sources/descriptions · [|www.amazon.com] o You can get this book for Kindle. A better way to use it would be to read it on an iPad. You can click on pictures and look at them bigger, etc. It would be a better reading/learning experience. · [] o This site is a resource site created based on the textbook. It is to teach Social Skills in language arts. This is something you can’t just get by reading the textbook. Someone has looked deeper into skills presented in the text, and formed “role-playing” scenarios based off of it. The textbook doesn’t have a source like this. · It is difficult to find books that are free online- at least the specific ones in the textbook. If there was a source where you could get the excerpts online versus in the textbook, that would be a better resource. · You could do research on the internet prior to reading the story. o Ex. //The All-American Slurp// (p. 494-504) o Research Chinese customs concerning food o [] o A website talking about Chinese food customs · Pretests/Assessments found online regarding material as opposed to in the textbook o [] o Matching the terms in the story with above site o Teacher could maybe even create on online and get scores instantly 3. We think if you could access the text via iPad/Kindle that would be preferable. But without access to the actual text (since this is a language arts book), you would be out of luck. It would be possible to find other literature online different from that presented in the book, but similar in what it teaches. We also found some great resources for assessments online, which would be easier for the teacher than a written form. There are also ways to connect skills and meaning behind the text to real life or to create lessons which is better than that provided in the text. 4. Amy Hunt and Sarah Duncan-Welty (Monday 7:30 am)



__Prentice Hall Literature: //Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes//__
 * ISBN**: 0-13-054794-8
 * Copyright Date:** 2002
 * Edition:** Teacher’s Edition
 * Publishers:** Pearson Education, Inc.
 * Authors:** Kate Kinsella
 * Price:** $103.65 from [|Amazon]
 * Other descriptors:** Hardcover**,** 12”x12”, 8-10 lbs, sixth grade level

· Reading and literature analysts support before, during, and after every selection. · A clean, one column design that mirrors the format of a novel. · Point of use reading and literary analysts questions that ensure reading mastery. · Easy to find definitions of key vocabulary. · Built-in comprehension checks. · Background information at point of use.
 * Brief Description:** From timeless classics to engaging contemporary literature Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes will captivate students’ interest and cultivate a lifelong love of literature. A ground breaking, interactive reading format features:

· TeacherVision.com helps young readers appreciate literature with teacher guides, printables, activities, and lessons. You can find resources on all types of literature such as fiction, non-fiction, and historical fiction. · LetterWritingGuide.com contains tips, advice, and sample letters to help you in your letter writing activities. It includes everything from cover letter writing to email etiquette. · ReadWriteThink.org provides resources for lesson plans for sixth grade poetry. Makes space for critical literacy and engages students in meaningful and thoughtful discussions regarding poetry.
 * Alternate Internet Sources:**

We thought that the Internet resources we found provided for a more complete learning experience since the options are endless, whereas the textbook only offers what it can fit within it’s front and back cover. Also, the textbook is bulky and weighs a ton. The Internet resources we found are only three of the thousands of possibilities that are out there, so we are sure that we could reproduce just about every aspect of the textbook via the web.
 * Reflections and Thoughts:**


 * Mallory Larsen and Ashley Kennedy, Monday @ 1:30**

Elements of Language First Course Megan Habiger and Emily Vaughn Monday 1:30



ISBN # 0-03-054795-6 Copyright Date: 2001 Edition # 1st Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Holt, Rinehart and Winston Authors: Roger Boylan, David Bradford, Susan Britt, Peggy Ferrin, Karen Kolar, Barbara Knaggs, David Knaggs, Kevin Lemoine, Chi Nguyen, Kathryn Rogers, Tressa Sanderes, Jennifer Schwan, Mary Shaw. Price: $9.99 Link: [| http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Language-First-Course-Odell/dp/0030526639/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286929201&sr=1-2] It is a fairly thick book that weighs roughly three to four pounds. It is for grade levels 7-9. Description of the item in the book: This book is made up of four sections: communications, sentences and paragraphs, grammar usage and mechanics, and the reference handbook section. The section with grammar and usage could be more effective for students if they used internet resources. 1. [| http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/] The Guide to Grammar and Writing is sponsored by the [|Capital Community College Foundation], a nonprofit 501 c-3 organization that supports scholarships, faculty development, and curriculum innovation. The site is easy to navigate for any age group. There are six sections that can help with any time of grammar problem or if one needs help with writing papers. There is also a large dictionary of sentence parts and functions that is clearly defined. 2. [] Located on this site are answers to frequently asked grammatical questions. There is a large directory of commonly misused terms in the English language. Students could easily look up the difference between terms “accept or except” and determine the correct usage. 3. [] This site is fun and eye catching. Students can find fun, interactive games that can directly help them with grammar usage. The site also offers professional resources and study guides for various types of literature. Reflection and Thoughts: Grammar and usage is one of the hardest subjects for students to understand. With the use of these supplemental resources students can interactively participate in their learning.



ISBN # 0-02-192006-0/2 Copyright Date: 2007 Edition # 1 Publisher: Macmillan & McGraw-Hill Authors: Donald R. Bear, Janice A. Dole, Jana Echevarria, Jan E. Hasbrouck, Scott G. Paris, Timothy Shanahan, Josefina V. Tinajero Price: $55.92 (from Amazon) Include other information about the book, maybe size and weight, or reading level or what other resources come with it, etc.? This particular edition is for second grade, but there are multiple grade levels for this textbook series. This book has a really great website with it: []
 * __Treasures__**

1. Brief description of the item in the book. The textbook is divided into different themes, such as “School Days” and “How Animals Grow.” Each theme contains stories or books that relate to the theme. The text is large and easy to read. Difficult vocabulary is highlighted and defined in the glossary. The illustrations are bright and eye-catching.

2. Internet site(s) and descriptions that would be appropriate to use instead of the book. [] This website offers a bunch of free children’s stories that you can read online, or listen to a voice recording of. The books are divided into genres and themes. [] This website provides free lesson plans and books for a variety of children’s books. The lesson plans include comprehension questions and vocabulary for each book. [] This website, Google Books, features many of the same children’s books featured in the textbook and it even offers suggestions of related books to click on. It has great pictures, however some of the books were only available as “previews” and so not all pages were available. 3. Reflection/Thoughts on why one is better than the other. We believe that the textbook was better than the internet, however we could see how the internet would provide a great support to the text. It takes a long time to find sites on the internet, and the textbook already has the themes, stories, and activities laid out. Plus, this textbook came with a great website that has interactive activities and lesson ideas for teachers. 4. Stephanie Larson and Meg Howland Wednesday 10:30

Textbook Name: Reading Street 3.6: Scott Foresman

ISBN #:0-328-10865-0 Copyright Date: 2007 Edition #: 4 Publisher: Pearson/ Scott Foresman Authors: Scott Foresman Price and link to where it can be purchased: $75.47/ @http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZu68&PMDBSUBCATEGORYID=&PMDBSITEID=2781&PMDBSUBSOLUTIONID=&PMDBSOLUTIONID=6724&PMDBSUBJECTAREAID=&PMDBCATEGORYID=3289&PMDbProgramID=21746

Include other information about the book, maybe size and weight, or reading level or what other resources come with it, etc.? : 3rd Grade, 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches, 2.2 pounds 1. Brief description of the item in the book: This is a teacher’s edition of a textbook or third grade reading. This book contains lesson ideas and plans for topics which include the following: Systematic, research-based design highlights phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. This book is in a series of teacher textbooks which contain other English lessons for 3rd grade reading. 2. Internet site(s) and descriptions that would be appropriate to use instead of the book.: [|www.education.com/activity/] [|**third**] [|-] [|**grade**] [|/] [|**reading**] [|/] This site has different educational ideas and lessons that are free and appropriate for students of all ages in elementary school. There are games and lessons that are easy to teach //www.internet4classrooms.com › [|Grade Level Help]// This site has interactive lessons and games that are for all grades and subjects. They can build all their different skills on this website without having to even print anything off and do it by hand. //www.teachervision.fen.com › ... › [|Reading Comprehension]// This site is a teacher website that has resources that are available for teachers to use about reading and reading comprehension. It is easy to navigate and find different ideas for things to do in your classroom. 3. Reflection/Thoughts on why one is better than the other and justification for its use.: We believe that you could use these different websites as resources and find lessons from there instead of finding textbooks to use in classrooms. These textbooks are very thick and heavy and students won’t want to haul them around. Plus the pure price of the book is a reason why you shouldn’t get it. You will not have any money after if you buy all of these for teachers and students of the same grade in your school and district. We believe that education.com is the best resource to use because it has comprehensive plans and ideas for reading. 1. Kyle Monsees and Maegan Lathrop  7:30 Wednesday

[|The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, Shorter 7th Edition]



ISBN #: 978-0-393-92612-5 Copyright Date: 2006 Edition #: 7 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Authors: [|Richard Bausch] , [|R. V. Cassill] Price and link to where it can be purchased: $35.34; []

*This anthology is a paperback book and needs to be specially ordered as a hard cover or needs a special cover to protect it when used in the classroom. The reading level for the stories compiled in this anthology is mainly high school and college level. I would be exceptionally appropriate for an AP English course.

1. Brief description of the item in the book.

This book is an anthology. It contains a compilation of short stories from multiple eras, genres, writers, and countries. The stories in this anthology are considered to be figureheads in the literary world. They are routinely brought up in literary conversations and serve as excellent guides for aspiring writers to admire their technique and the impact that these stories can have on the readers. In addition to the collection of short stories, this book contains a collection of advice from the authors of the short stories to aspiring writers.

2. Internet site(s) and descriptions that would be appropriate to use instead of the book.

Many of the stories contained in this anthology can be found online. The teacher would most definitely need to make sure that the sites they direct the students to for reading do not contain inappropriate or unprofessional advertisements, stories, and links. One website that I found especially dense with literary stories is:

[]

This website contains numerous short stories. It does not however, contain every story in the anthology so the teacher using this site in lieu of the textbook would have to choose their stories more selectively. Another website that can be useful is:

[]

This website organizes the stories by author. It does not contain a complete collection of each author’s work, and does not have all of the stories from the anthology. It does have a good collection however and could be a great resource for teachers to use with their students. Another idea for teachers to pull internet resources into their classroom would be to examine sites on the author or the genre of the story. This would help the students understand the meaning behind the work, and the importance of the work to our literary society. A website that is a great resource for studying authors is listed below.

[]

3. Reflection/Thoughts on why one is better than the other  and justification for its use.

The textbook is probably the most effective book for teachers at this point for most schools. Unless a classroom has one-to-one laptops for their students, the students would not be able to read the anthology in class. The teacher would not be able to read out loud in the lesson or be able to reference specific passages in the stories. If a classroom does have one-to-one laptops, the websites could be excellent, cost-saving resources for the classroom. The only other drawback would be that the students would not have access to the advice given by authors on how to improve their own writing. Even having the textbook, the teacher should always consider pulling internet resources into the classroom as the students are becoming more and more technologically dependent.

Chelsea Parker Wednesday 7:30