Table of Contents

I. The Mechanization of Teaching

  1. The Curse of Graphite
  2. The Teacher as Schmidt

II. Six Principles

  1. Balance the Basics: An Argument for Parity Between Reading and Writing
  2. Expressive Writing: Maybe the Best Idea of All
  3. Popular Culture as a Literacy Tool
  4. Literacy and Pleasure: Why We Read and Write in the First Place
  5. Uncluttering the Curriculum
  6. Finding a Language for Difficulty: Silences in Our Teaching Stories

III. Isn’t Freedom an American Value Too?

  1. Free Reading

IV. Postscripts

  1. Speaking Back to the Common Core
  2. Speaking Out on Competency-Based Education