Inspired English!: Raising Test Scores and Writing Effectiveness Through Poetry and Fiction » (New Edition)

Lorraine LaCroix is an Educational Consultant for the Long Beach Unified School District in Southern California. In this capacity she trains new teachers, coaches veteran educators and provides professional development geared toward improved instructional practices. During her 15-year career with the district, she has worked as a classroom and mentor teacher and has served in a number of leadership roles. She has also been active in writing curriculum fir the district's vastly diverse population. Ms. LaCroix received the district's Carpe Diem Award in 2000, naming her the outstanding middle school teacher of the year.

She holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's degree in Educational Management from the University of LaVerne, also in California.

"The author introduces new pedagogical approaches in teaching language arts, using fiction and poetry to enhance the student's critical thinking. This is a thoughtful, practical, and innovative book that will foster academic success."
Maggie Yadegar, Associate Dean
National University, Los Angeles Campus

"A 'must have' publication for the beginning teacher of English. The author gives explicit discussions, providing directions for formulating, presenting, and evaluating each phase of the lesson being taught."
Lois Gibson, Associate Professor Education (Retired)
Southeastern Louisiana University

Lessons that spark the imagination and fuel academic success!

Teachers of English at the high-school and middle-school level face greater and greater challenges as the pressures of standardized testing collide with the realities of declining literacy and unmotivated students. This manual-written by a teacher for teachers of all experience levels-is the perfect companion for those looking to reinvigorate their language arts curriculum and fully engage and inspire all students.

LaCroix shows teachers how they can use poetry and fiction to generate student interest and promote higher-level thinking skills through analysis and interpretation of great works. Arming teachers with all the necessary tools to plan and prepare effective lessons, this user-friendly guide ensures that even the most reluctant students can share in the joy of literature while becoming better readers, writers, and test-takers.

Features that will aid new and veteran teachers alike include:

• Twenty proven,ready-to-use lessons complete with rubrics, reproducibles, and reteach ideas
• Straightforward descriptions of three effective lesson plan types, including the LaCroix Model
• Concrete examples of how to supercharge students' vocabulary, critical thinking, rhetorical writing and public speaking skills for higher test scores and lifelong success

Spark student interest with rich literature presented within the context of LaCroix's powerful and dynamic instructional plans, and watch as their achievement levels soar!