Opening Doors to Famous Poetry and Prose: Ideas and resources for accessing literary heritage works (Opening Doors series) - Softcover

With a carefully selected and considered collection of inspirational poetry and prose texts, Bob Cox has provided this extraordinary book to give teachers the confidence to teach beyond the limits many assume. Appreciating the central importance of language, SPaG and inspiration, this book encourages imagination and deep levels of engagement and is inspired by some of the greatest writers the English language has produced, offering practical ideas and activities to support learning. --Colin Hill Founder and Web Editor, UKEdChat

Opening Doors is a very apt title which takes the teacher way beyond the usual approach to literacy. This is not literacy: it is English teaching at its finest. For some time, primary teachers have been impeded by the requirements of SPaG and the promotion of wow words which, in themselves, are not bad things but they have stilted the learning of words for their own value. Children approach writing with a tick list of what needs to be included and they have a determination to win that tick regardless of whether the inclusion of that adjective or colon actually improves the writing. This book is arranged in standalone units and each starts with wonderful writing and poetry then leads into activities. Each unit is organized in the same way. I particularly like the opening access strategies. These are a variety of ways (quizzes, games, puzzles) to get the pupils into the literature without mentioning the words writing, reading, poetry or the title of the text. There are suggested questions to ask always ask the most difficult first , says Bob - as well as the good old lesson objectives but unlike other programmes, they do not lead the work. The areas for extension work, beautifully called Beyond the Limit and Wings to Fly are there to be used flexibly. Each unit ends with Reflecting on impact . These units are not simply about an English lesson but deepening the love of literature and writing in the pupils. Often, we forget to look at the bigger picture that a unit of work has produced. It obvious that Bob has such a love of English literature and is incredibly well read; he also includes a did you know? section to give you those tit bits to complete the tapestry. You can imagine him in the classroom with your pupils, enthusing them! This is not a book to pick up over coffee that will give you an idea to take back to class. It is for teachers who want to get back to teaching English as a language and a culture. It will hold your hand as you go through the steps (a CD is provided with lots of resources that are referred to throughout) and give you a wonderful sense of achievement in both your learning and that of your pupils. Take heed, though. Don t skip the introduction! It may start off as rather a dry read but it is key to understanding the philosophy behind the contents and will ensure that you have made the very best of an excellent resource. --Julia Skinner, Founder, 100 Word Challenge

Opening Doors is a very apt title which takes the teacher way beyond the usual approach to literacy. This is not literacy: it is English teaching at its finest. For some time, primary teachers have been impeded by the requirements of SPaG and the promotion of wow words which, in themselves, are not bad things but they have stilted the learning of words for their own value. Children approach writing with a tick list of what needs to be included and they have a determination to win that tick regardless of whether the inclusion of that adjective or colon actually improves the writing. This book is arranged in standalone units and each starts with wonderful writing and poetry then leads into activities. Each unit is organized in the same way. I particularly like the opening access strategies. These are a variety of ways (quizzes, games, puzzles) to get the pupils into the literature without mentioning t --Julia Skinner, Founder, 100 Word Challenge

Opening Doors is a very apt title which takes the teacher way beyond the usual approach to literacy. This is not literacy: it is English teaching at its finest. For some time, primary teachers have been impeded by the requirements of SPaG and the promotion of wow words which, in themselves, are not bad things but they have stilted the learning of words for their own value. Children approach writing with a tick list of what needs to be included and they have a determination to win that tick regardless of whether the inclusion of that adjective or colon actually improves the writing. This book is arranged in standalone units and each starts with wonderful writing and poetry then leads into activities. Each unit is organized in the same way. I particularly like the opening access strategies. These are a variety of ways (quizzes, games, puzzles) to get the pupils into the literature without mentioning the words writing, reading, poetry or the title of the text. There are suggested questions to ask always ask the most difficult first , says Bob - as well as the good old lesson objectives but unlike other programmes, they do not lead the work. The areas for extension work, beautifully called Beyond the Limit and Wings to Fly are there to be used flexibly. Each unit ends with Reflecting on impact . These units are not simply about an English lesson but deepening the love of literature and writing in the pupils. Often, we forget to look at the bigger picture that a unit of work has produced. It obvious that Bob has such a love of English literature and is incredibly well read; he also includes a did you know? section to give you those tit bits to complete the tapestry. You can imagine him in the classroom with your pupils, enthusing them! This is not a book to pick up over coffee that will give you an idea to take back to class. It is for teachers who want to get back to teaching English as a language and a culture. It will hold your hand as you go through the steps (a CD is provided with lots of resources that are referred to throughout) and give you a wonderful sense of achievement in both your learning and that of your pupils. Take heed, though. Don t skip the introduction! It may start off as rather a dry read but it is key to understanding the philosophy behind the contents and will ensure that you have made the very best of an excellent resource. --Julia Skinner, Founder, 100 Word Challenge

Illustrations and innovative ideas to help pupils access the meaning and wonder of the text add to the book's appeal. The UK Government National Curriculum Assessment for 2016 sample material includes past literature examples. Opening Doors to Famous Poetry and Prose contains 20 units of classic literature for use in the classroom. Pupils are encouraged, throughout the units of work, to engage with language, invent questions and write with flair and accuracy, bringing literature from the past to life and opening doors to further reading and exploration. Also included is an introduction to the concepts used in the book and suggestions for a range of methods and pathways which can lead to language development and literary appreciation. Although the units are diverse and have a range of poetry and prose for teachers to use, the book presents cohesive methods for engaging children with a variety of different literary texts and improving standards of literacy. Opening Doors both informs and excites. It contains everything you need for outstanding English lessons, including a free CD full of resources for primary English, including extracts from the literary works and activities to get started with. Let's begin. For teachers of 7-13 year olds and lower Secondary. Contents include: Part 1: Opening doors to poetry 1. Voices on the Sharp Air - 'The Call' by Charlotte Mew 2. Sunset - 'Great City' by Harold Monro 3. The Abbot and the Rover - 'The Inchcape Rock' by Robert Southey 4. Sickness - 'The Land of Counterpane' by Robert Louis Stevenson 5. Paths of Mystery - 'The Path' by Edward Thomas 6. Zero at the Bone - 'Snake' by Emily Dickinson Part 2: Opening doors to prose 7. Moon Seeds - The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells 8. A Ghastly Waxwork - Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 9. Through Beauty's Eyes - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell 10. Code Breaking - A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne 11. Playing Cards in Wonderland - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 12. Windswept Pavilion - 'The Pavilion on the Links' by Robert Louis Stevenson 13. The Face and Hands of a Vampire - Dracula by Bram Stoker 14. Fire at Thornfield - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 15. Whirlpool! - 'Descent into the Maelstrom' by Edgar Allan Poe Part 3: The other side of the door: poetry for writing 16. The Crag and the Sea - 'The Eagle' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson 17. Images in a Candle Flame - 'Old Furniture' by Thomas Hardy 18. Horses Born with Eagles' Wings - 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' by Robert Browning 19. I Shot an Arrow ... - 'The Arrow and the Song' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 20. Cat Moments - 'The Kitten and Falling Leaves' by William Wordsworth