Teaching with Intention (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: defining beliefs, lesson design, lesson design tool, Aligning Practice, Debbie Miller, Taking Action (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"I believe in the power of collaborative classroom communities where everyone's ideas are valued and respected. But had you been in my classroom that day, you'd have never known it. You'd have thought I believed that I was the one with all the answers."

Effective, intentional teaching begins with a strong set of beliefs, but even the best teachers -- including Debbie Miller -- struggle to make sure that their classroom practice consistently reflects their core convictions. In Teaching with Intention, Debbie shares her process of defining beliefs, aligning practice, and taking action to ensure that children are the true beneficiaries of her teaching. As Peter Johnston writes, "Through this book we have Debbie's teaching mind on loan. She engages us in the details of a teaching life from inside her mind, showing the thinking behind her teaching and the consequences of her actions."

While Debbie's previous book, Reading with Meaning, chronicled a year in her own classroom, Teaching with Intention brings us into classrooms of teachers and children she has met over the last five years in her work as a literacy consultant. From setting up the classroom environment to the intentional use of language, from comprehension instruction to lesson design, Debbie is explicit about what she does and why. At the same time, she encourages teachers to develop their own belief statements concerning teaching and learning, and includes key questions to guide them in this important process.

In an environment where the handing down of scripted programs and "foolproof" curricula is increasingly the norm, Teaching with Intention offers a compelling reminder that truly transformative teaching is built from the ground up, and is rebuilt every year, by every teacher, in every classroom, with every new group of students.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Stenhouse Publishers (August 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571103872
• ISBN-13: 978-1571103871
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #17 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Education > Professional Development
  #26 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Elementary School
  #42 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Pedagogy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, May 30, 2009

By	Cheryl Sostarich (Kansas City, KS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this book because the primary teachers at our school decided we needed to be more consistent with teaching vocabulary. We started a book club and decided to read Reading With Meaning. As I was ordering that book I saw this book and ordered it. I've been teaching for 20 years and this book got me to thinking about a different way to get my kids excited about thinking of our classroom as being part of a community. I love the ideas for using manners and modeling the type of behavior and thinking I want to see in our classroom.
Can't wait to try it!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aligning beliefs with practice, March 3, 2009

By	Lori Jackson "lit coach" (Rural South Dakota) - See all my reviews

With her gentle, loving tone, Miller reminds us of what really counts n the classroom with a discussion of the importance of identifying core beliefs about literacy education. She examines her own reflective process and discusses the importance of the role of reflecting on classroom practice and planning with the goal of alignment. Practicing, as always, her own beliefs, the remainder of the book is organized around Miller's own key beliefs with each chapter illustrating those beliefs through powerful classroom stories. As a coach, I see so much potential in the this book--not just for new teachers, but as part of a discussion that allows us to begin with articulating who we are and what we believe in. Well done, Debbie, well done.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for new teachers, December 27, 2008

By	Buddy - See all my reviews

I bought this book because I loved her other book. I was disappointed. This book is geared to new teachers. As a teacher of 13 years it didn't have any new that I haven't heard before in seminars or other books. If you know someone who is a first year teacher, it's perfect for them. Otherwise, save your money.