About the Author
Jane Kiester is the author of the popular Caught'ya books:
Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle; Caught'ya Again! More Grammar with a Giggle; The Chortling Bard! Grammar with a Giggle for High School; Giggles in the Middle: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Middle School; Eggbert, the Ball, Bounces by Himself: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for First Grade; Putrescent Petra Finds Friends: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Second Grade; and
Juan and Marie Join the Class: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Third Grade (these last three were formerly
Elementary, My Dear! Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Grades 1, 2, and 3), all published by Maupin House. Teachers all over the country also use the new edition of her third book,
Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test, to help improve their students' scores on state writing assessment tests. Jane's newest book is
Teach Spelling So It Sticks! Quick and Clever Ways That Work for Grades 4-8.
In addition to writing books, Jane has given hundreds of workshops to fellow teachers around the country for the past ten years. Her subject? The same as in her classroom, where she happily taught elementary or middle school for more than 30 years -- teaching students to write well.
In her three decades as a classroom teacher, Jane has served many years as various department chairpersons and grade-level chairperson. She is also a past president of the Alachua County Teachers of English. Jane has been recognized three times by "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." In 2002 she won Teacher of the Year for her school and Middle School Teacher of the Year for her county.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
(From the corrected sentences of Much Ado About Everything. In the book, the uncorrected sentences are blocked out in groups of one to three. The teacher places the uncorrected sentences on the board or an overhead, and the students correct them. The teacher teaches only the skills used in the sentences for that day. Each sentence grouping in the book also has the corrected sentences underneath the uncorrected ones. After correction with the class, the paper is put away until the next day. The story that follows shows the corrected sentences altogether to give you an idea of the entire story line.)
This is the story of a battle of the sexes, of two love affairs fraught with obstacles, and of chicanery. It's a romantic comedy set in Messina, Italy, centuries ago when men held all the power, and women were subjugated to their will. The convoluted soap opera of peace battles began at the end of a foiled rebellion. Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, Spain, had just defeated his amoral half-brother, Don John. The latter had been the malefactor who had started the rebellion. Don Pedro and two of his gallants, Claudio, a stalwart stripling from Florence, Italy, and Benedick of Padua, Italy, were returning home from the war. When they reached Messina, Italy, they were to become the guests of Leonato, the governor of Messina.
Now Leonato had a comely daughter who was named Hero. Not only was Hero beautiful, but she was dulcet and virtuous as well. In addition his dulcet, virtuous daughter, Leonato also was reading his only niece, the witty Beatrice. She was as caustic as her cousin Hero was dulcet...
In his spacious and well-appointed living room of his estate, Leonato read the letter to his doting daughter and niece.
"Is Signior Mountanto returning with him?" asked Beatrice, who was trying to appear nonchalant as she sat on a green, high-backed couch.
"For whom are you asking, Niece?" queried Leonato amiably.
"My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua," Hero said with a wink, a smile, and a pat for Beatrice."...... (The story continues, with enough Caught'ya sentence groupings for one each for four days a week.)
