180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents

"How do you fit it all in?" It's the question every teacher asks. Constantly. And Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle effectively answer that question in 180 Days. Gallagher and Kittle have written a book based on a year of teaching in their own classrooms while located across the country from each other. They work with very different populations and differing sets of obstacles, and these issues are addressed in the book, too. The first part of the book is all about the planning stages. How do you manage to work in reading and writing every day in your English classroom? How do you manage to set up daily routines that encourage choice -- both in reading and writing? How do you grade (or what do you choose to not grade) when you expand the quantity and level of writing in your classroom? (See chapter 5!) Yes, they really do answer all of these questions. The second part of the book is all about setting up writing units that address all three genres (plus a multi-genre project). It is practical and easily able to be duplicated -- two things you can expect to see in all of Kittle and Gallagher's prior books. There are timetables, mini-lesson ideas, and broader writing piece ideas. In addition, there are videos linked that show conversations and teaching moments involving both authors, linked to specific content in the book. For example, if you are reading about using interactive notebooks in chapter two, there is a teaching clip video called "Notebook Tour" in which both the authors introduce the notebook to Kittle's class. If I had this book last summer, my current school year would have been much smoother. I look forward to using it this summer to plan out my next school year. This book is worth every penny (no pun intended)!

During the pandemic I was seriously questioning my profession and if it was something I wanted to continue. Much like many teachers and students, I was burned out on distance learning and frustrated with my lack of connections and relationships with kids and colleagues. However, this book revived my drive and my energy for the coming year. I have taken so much from it that I’m going to implement in my classroom and I know that the relationships with my students in the years to come will be stronger and better than they ever have. Kittle and Gallagher give you insight into their classrooms and what has been successful for them. It is a great starting point for understanding how to set up time for reading, writing, and student conferences. This book is a read I highly recommend for any English teacher.

These questions will be answered by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle. They demonstrate how to begin with your values and your knowledge of students to organize your reading and writing instruction. It's not easy; yet it is TOTALLY possible. What do you need? The book includes text, pictures and videos that SHOW you: daily schedules, yearly plans for reading, yearly plans for writing, considerations for "planning", how to assess more yet NOT grade more student work and specific plans (laps) for narrative, information, argument and multigenre research projects. This book will simplify YOUR work and YOUR teaching life!

Book #30 Read in 2018 180 Days by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle Gallagher and Kittle are two premier English Teachers and this book details their school-year long collaboration to build a successful reading and writing program in their high school classrooms. Heading back into the classroom full-time in September for the first time in 11 years, I needed this book to reenergize me and give me some ideas to keep the focus on creating a love of reading within my students. A must read for English Teachers!

Strong text to use as a portion of curriculum

I have taught for over 35 years. I have created my curriculum during this time. I used the information in this book to create routines and activities. I learned so much by watching the videos to guide instruction. Timeless tools.

Great book. Possible new teacher gift from master teacher?

This is by far the most helpful book I have ever found for an English teacher struggling with basic curriculum issues. I adapted it and have transformed my classes into communities of learners--I teach in a small Chicago public high school with many students who don't read habitually and who don;t like to write and those obstacles have largely disappeared in the first month and a half of school. The key is to break your class up into small chunks each of which brings in one of your year-long curriculum strands on a daily basis.

Kelly Gallagher is one of the best sources of engaging activities and all around pedagogy about teaching English. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing a boost of energy teaching this subject.

An easy read with thoughtful suggestions.