Activities for an Interactive Classroom

I had Dr. Golub as a professor in the late 90s, and I still pull this book off my bookshelf for ideas and inspiration. If you are interested in helping students negotiate and construct meaning with the written (and spoken) word, then this is a book you should have on your shelf as well!

I have Dr. Golub as a professor at the University of South Florida so I speak from experience when I say this man is a genious. His activities are proven by his students in class; we all have fun and that carries over into our own classroom. I have more ideas from Dr. G than any other insructor I've ever had. He truly gives humorous and unusual ways of challenging students. This book is only the start...

I love to write. But honestly, I've been fearing having to teach writing skills to middle school or high school students. Yet when I found this book, my fears vanished. Golub delicately instructs teachers how to stimulate students of all grade levels to write. His focus is to shift the process of reading and writing from a solitary activity to an interative group activity. He gives WONDERFUL illustrations of interactive group activities that are both fun for the teacher and the students. He questions the traditional classroom setting where the teacher simply gives students a "hand-out" with formulas and patterns for writing a paper. He challenges teachers to take on the role of designer and director in the classroom. In this way, knowledge is construted, not transmitted. This interactive classroom concept is the intstructive approach all teachers should adapt to. Golub's ideas for teaching students to write are both refreshing and creative. Without a doubt, this is a wonderful book which educators of all grade levels should have.

English teachers who are moving with the standards and performance models of change are sure to appreciate Jeffrey Golub's book because it has practical suggestions about how to set up a positive and supportive climate and teach skills. As he gives practical ideas on teaching discrete listening and writing skills, he also imparts his main ideas on the interactive classroom, a place where students make meaning as they develop their language skills. I found the book to be full of content, clarifying ideas, and a philosophy of teaching that matches and furthers my own practice. The added plus is that the style is lively, humorous and easy to read. A delight!