When you hear students say that what they learn in school doesn't have much to do with life, or that getting the answer right is the most important thing, or that learning is only about getting good grades, what they're doing is reflecting a general set of expectations that are reinforced by schools themselves. Here's a book that boldly contends…

Presents key questions reflecting research in first/second language acquisition and whole language principles: is curriculum organized around "big" questions?; are students involved in authentic reading and writing?; are students given choices?; is content meaningful?; do students work collaboratively?; do students read, write, speak, and listen…