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sducharme's review against another edition
4.0
A children's author works for three years with the same class (grades 3-5) in Queens with inspirational results. Kids are so funny, so perceptive, so confounding.
sweetm917's review against another edition
5.0
this was one of my all time favorite books, and i was completely hooked.
enchantingreads's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
I am honestly not sure how I feel about this book. I might get hate for this comment, but the way he wrote about his students made me a bit uncomfortable. He also did not like when a student did not like him. He would get mad at his students if they were struggling with ideas for their stories and he was judgmental towards those kids parents.
javamamanc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
lisaebetz's review against another edition
5.0
This was a serendipitous find a a library book sale. [You do support your local library by going to book sales, right?] A writer in New York City spends three years volunteering to teach creative writing to elementary students in a poor area of Queens. The school is filled with immigrant families from all over the world., many of whom struggle with English, and yet the author manages to get these kids to write stories and poems. The book is filled with examples of their writing. Some are fun, others poignant, others heartbreaking. Through the author's commentary we glimpse the hard life most of these kids have, their joys and fears and dreams. You could ask what difference it can make, teaching one classroom of kids out of the thousands. This book is one man's answer.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
Sam Swope, a professional children's author, decided to spend time in a public school with third graders, talking about writing, teaching writing, writing. He, like others, fell in love with his kids and spent a total of three years, following them thru 4th and 5th grade...that's the kind of luxury a 'real' teacher lives for. Imagine!
Swope gets to know the kids well. Mostly first and second generation immigrants from all corners of the world, the kids bring so many challenges and rewards to Swope's work. He's allowed into their thoughts and hopes through the writing. Any English teachers knows that's the kind of relationship that has positive and negative. He learns of the repressive religious zeal Miguel lives with, the crushing expectations MeiKai lives with. He also has run-ins with 'mean girls' who know instinctively he needs to be liked...and boy, howdy! They've got him from then on. I wish one of the teachers he worked with those years could have (maybe they did and he doesn't want to acknowledge it) taken him in hand and just explained.
What he's lacking are the tools of the teaching profession. What he has in abundance is passion -- a love for kids, a love for writing. He sets up a wonderful writing workshop approach that only works because it's on top of the regular classroom teacher's work. But I know he contributes to each child's writing life and internal life.
The setting is NYC, and the kids take the subway to and from school...Swope takes them on fieldtrips to Central Park...getting into middle schools is a whole gauntlet. Lots of differences to explore. Swope spends considerable time during the kids' fifth grade year trying to find them supportive middle schools. The demands of the system nearly broke his heart and mine too.
When sharing this with a friend, a fellow educator, I was reminded Swope can actually 'swoop' in whenever he wants to these classrooms and teach the ONE subject he loves above all others. He has no other responsibilities -- reportcards, testing...nothing else.
But, you know, if I could find my own Mr. Swope, someone who lived for books, to work with my students one on one while I did my thing, knowing NOW the kids had two caring adults to spend time and attention on them -- I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Swope gets to know the kids well. Mostly first and second generation immigrants from all corners of the world, the kids bring so many challenges and rewards to Swope's work. He's allowed into their thoughts and hopes through the writing. Any English teachers knows that's the kind of relationship that has positive and negative. He learns of the repressive religious zeal Miguel lives with, the crushing expectations MeiKai lives with. He also has run-ins with 'mean girls' who know instinctively he needs to be liked...and boy, howdy! They've got him from then on. I wish one of the teachers he worked with those years could have (maybe they did and he doesn't want to acknowledge it) taken him in hand and just explained.
What he's lacking are the tools of the teaching profession. What he has in abundance is passion -- a love for kids, a love for writing. He sets up a wonderful writing workshop approach that only works because it's on top of the regular classroom teacher's work. But I know he contributes to each child's writing life and internal life.
The setting is NYC, and the kids take the subway to and from school...Swope takes them on fieldtrips to Central Park...getting into middle schools is a whole gauntlet. Lots of differences to explore. Swope spends considerable time during the kids' fifth grade year trying to find them supportive middle schools. The demands of the system nearly broke his heart and mine too.
When sharing this with a friend, a fellow educator, I was reminded Swope can actually 'swoop' in whenever he wants to these classrooms and teach the ONE subject he loves above all others. He has no other responsibilities -- reportcards, testing...nothing else.
But, you know, if I could find my own Mr. Swope, someone who lived for books, to work with my students one on one while I did my thing, knowing NOW the kids had two caring adults to spend time and attention on them -- I'd do it in a heartbeat.
kerri_m's review against another edition
4.0
When I picked up this narrative, I must admit I was slightly disappointed it was based around an elementary school classroom. As a secondary education English major, part of me hoped for a more applicable grade level. As I worked my way through the pages, however, I realized just how useful the book remains. Sam Swope is the teacher we all wish we had; he pushes his students, engages them, and gets to know them as people. The connections he draws with his students are inspiring, and I hope to be as caring for each and every one of my students some day. He also tells the readers honestly that not every day is a good day. Teaching is hard work, and sometimes getting out of bed in the morning and keeping a smile is a struggle. Not every student is going to like you, and you are not going to like every student. Filled with moving student backgrounds, project ideas, and examples of student writing, Sam Swope's educational journey is not to be ignored by teachers on any level.
ajtrumble's review against another edition
4.0
Loved hearing about the children and their stories. There were some very insightful and beautiful stories and poems included in this book. I got a little annoyed with the narrator's voice and attitude throughout the book, but it didn't overshadow the beauty of the children's writing for me. I also enjoyed the projects Swope came up with for the children--I definitely would have enjoyed those projects in elementary school!
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