Teaching English by Design

Book excerpt: Teaching English by Design has become a classic resource for preservice teachers as well as in-service teachers who consider it their go-to guide to creating lessons and units organized around key concepts. In the Second Edition, Peter Smagorinsky updates the content for today's teachers with discussions of New Literacies, using technology in the classroom, LGBTQ issues, and an expansive new chapter on preparing for Beginning Teacher Performance Assessments. He also brings in a fresh new voice and outlook from Darren Rhym, a high school teacher in rural Georgia. Following a new chapter on "Teaching Stressed Students Under Stressful Circumstances," Peter and Darren collaborated to create a unit on Power and Race. Designed to help students develop agency in improving their lives and those of the people in their communities, this sample unit provides a practical framework for addressing the needs of low-SES students who rely on limited resources. Together with Peter's unique insight about students, how they learn, and the kinds of classrooms that support their achievement, Teaching English by Design, 2/e is more valuable and relevant than ever.