Book Review Guide for Teachers

The book reviews produced on cubes make great display material. Set them out on a table in the hallway for everyone to see.

There are several points to this review that make it a great learning experience. Computer literacy can be enhanced by requiring the work be in hardcopy. Use it as an opportunity to teach things like the use of the "Justify" option. Accepting only hand drawn illustrations "levels the playing field" by requiring everyone to make an effort to produce some artwork, rather than just allowing those with more change in their pockets to press the button on the photocopier more often.

The issue of plagiarism is an important one for the students to understand. It is not difficult by this time in the year for you to know when you are reading the words of the student themselves, and when you are reading the words of someone else whom they have unthinkingly copied. Discuss the issue with them and inform them of the severity with which plagiarism is dealt with at the university level. One way to help overcome this problem is to require them to submit a first draft to you. You do not have to "mark it" unless you want to. Simply read it and hand it back as OK to go on their cube, or hand it back with the requirement that it be rewritten.

Give the students the assignment at the beginning of the month and allow them the full month in which to complete it. On submission day, the students could share their cubes with their classmates before they are put on display. This allows you a chance to mark them on their ability to make oral presentations. Consider having the students vote on the "Top Ten". Have the winners take their presentations to other classrooms as well.

Click the link below to download a preview copy, or click "Buy Now" button to purchase. A purchased copy will allow you to print for use in a classroom.

January Book Review <-- Preview
Cost: $1 Canadian. Includes the ability to print! Upon purchase, the book review will be emailed to you.