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darblar's review against another edition
2.0
From the description, I thought this would focus exclusively on the problems students face in writing classrooms, but instead it’s a largely anecdotal overview about the challenges facing education in general.
hsengteach's review against another edition
5.0
Absolute Truth
I have read many books on writing, but I have rarely agreed more with what an author was telling me. This book makes it clear why students are struggling with writing and what can be done about it.
I have read many books on writing, but I have rarely agreed more with what an author was telling me. This book makes it clear why students are struggling with writing and what can be done about it.
ibmisterb's review against another edition
5.0
Warner provides a much-needed critique of the problems within education (especially the standardization of learning) through the lens of the writing classroom. He presents a framework for developing writing tasks that foster inquiry, engagement, and relevance that helps all writers see the value of process over product.
skrajewski's review against another edition
5.0
I’m in love with this book for such a wide variety of reasons! Author John Warner starts by showing his readers where the real problems in education are, with a focus on education folklore. I have noticed so many of these problems myself, so these chapters reaffirmed some of what I’ve seen throughout my short 17-year career. In the second half of the book, Warner shares ways to get around those problems and still engage and motivate students in the classroom. He shares some of his assignments, which really got me thinking about research and writing in a whole new way. (I may use a few of them too!) I loved his chapter on grading, for I’d love to get rid of grades altogether. At the end, there are close to 20 pages of footnotes with all the research that back up his claims. I know I’ll be referring back to this book for years to come.
lectrice's review against another edition
4.0
4.5: This book should be required reading in all schools of education and other places where policy decisions are made, because it’s about more than teaching writing. It surveys the depressing landscape of the past decades where pursuing curiosity and learning for its own sake have been sucked out of most students, especially at the middle and high school levels. ‘Teaching to the test’ has created a generation of anxious, grade-grubbing college students with little initiative, imagination, or risk-taking when it comes to learning. Many of Warner’s ideas are practical, sensible, and applicable (at least at the college classroom level, and especially for instructors fortunate enough to have a secure position and freedom to craft syllabi and assignments).
lexuwus's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
i really enjoyed ‘why they can’t write’ but it was a little too slow for my reading pace. it did not keep me engaged and ended up taking me much longer to complete than intended.
however, i saw it through! i have no doubt that reading this advanced my views regarding education and teaching writing. this book made me reflect on myself and my writing ability. my favorite section was the killing of 5 paragraph essay portion. it really changed my outlook on essay writing in college— i now feel like i know why my essays scored much higher than others in my first college credit plus course. many people who are not interested in writing are taught to mimic it, and cannot free themselves from the poor, rigid organization we are taught in high school. a great book by mr. warner!
however, i saw it through! i have no doubt that reading this advanced my views regarding education and teaching writing. this book made me reflect on myself and my writing ability. my favorite section was the killing of 5 paragraph essay portion. it really changed my outlook on essay writing in college— i now feel like i know why my essays scored much higher than others in my first college credit plus course. many people who are not interested in writing are taught to mimic it, and cannot free themselves from the poor, rigid organization we are taught in high school. a great book by mr. warner!
lgrewe's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me seriously rethink the ways I’ve been teaching high school English. I wish more admin would read this book and reframe expectations of teachers.