Homework #1
Homework #1
I’ve had a rethink... I’ve chosen a tips book, which is quick and easy to write. The goal is to be able to spend more time learning the skill of formatting, etc!
* What? Who is it for?
A book of “50 ways to teach children to read (phonics)”. Much like Lesley Ito’s 50 ways to teach YLs, this is ideas and activities (in 5 categories). Same format.
* What do people currently use?
I’ve noticed that there are numerous websites devoted to the topic of phonics (mostly written by resourceful homeschooling parents), but no creative ideas in books.
* What will the final product look like—text? images? size? format? length?
I had a massive writing sprint this week and wrote almost all of it in two days! Size - about 60 pages, with an introduction and 50 tips, like Lesley’s. It’ll be text plus as many photos as possible to clarify the activities. (I already have some lovely materials I made, so I need to take the pics and insert them).
Some queries:
1. Photography - what do I need to know / beware of?
2. Wording - Does the word “phonics” mean much to people? (Would they confuse it with phonology?) Does “learning to read” make sense or would people assume it’s EFL Reading?
3. How much theory needs to be in there, in your opinion? At present, it’s a mix of practical ideas and theory (e.g., how children need to break new words up into segments and then learn to blend sounds, which I’ve explained). Any feedback welcome (Dorothy - any thoughts?)
Cheers!
I’ve had a rethink... I’ve chosen a tips book, which is quick and easy to write. The goal is to be able to spend more time learning the skill of formatting, etc!
* What? Who is it for?
A book of “50 ways to teach children to read (phonics)”. Much like Lesley Ito’s 50 ways to teach YLs, this is ideas and activities (in 5 categories). Same format.
* What do people currently use?
I’ve noticed that there are numerous websites devoted to the topic of phonics (mostly written by resourceful homeschooling parents), but no creative ideas in books.
* What will the final product look like—text? images? size? format? length?
I had a massive writing sprint this week and wrote almost all of it in two days! Size - about 60 pages, with an introduction and 50 tips, like Lesley’s. It’ll be text plus as many photos as possible to clarify the activities. (I already have some lovely materials I made, so I need to take the pics and insert them).
Some queries:
1. Photography - what do I need to know / beware of?
2. Wording - Does the word “phonics” mean much to people? (Would they confuse it with phonology?) Does “learning to read” make sense or would people assume it’s EFL Reading?
3. How much theory needs to be in there, in your opinion? At present, it’s a mix of practical ideas and theory (e.g., how children need to break new words up into segments and then learn to blend sounds, which I’ve explained). Any feedback welcome (Dorothy - any thoughts?)
Cheers!
I know what you mean about defining what something is and it isn’t. Maybe the first several paragraphs should be dedicated to defining the context of what how the ideas are intended.
ReplyDeleteRhett Burton Good point. Do you think “phonics” should be in the title at all?
ReplyDeleteKate Cory-Wright maybe clarity to that question will reveal itself at the end of the writing and creation process.
ReplyDeleteRhett Burton You’re a star! Thanks so much for the input!
ReplyDeleteKate Cory-Wright so is it for native speakers? I really like the idea of practical tips. I was thinking myself about writing one book with tips for YLT, I didn't know the one you mentioned. I'm an EFL teacher and I would buy a book like the one you'll be writing! Hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteLaura Perrotta Yes. It's meant to be for native speakers of English, but it could also be for people whose first language is a different script, e.g. Arabic, Urdu.
ReplyDeleteKate Cory-Wright Great! I'd buy it all the same!! 😉
ReplyDeleteIs there any way it could have a title that doesn't say "50 Ways to..."? Not that one can copyright titles, but there is an ELT series that uses that name already... hahahahaha... 25 tips, or 60, or 100, or 30? Or a different word from Ways?
ReplyDeleteDorothy Zemach Sure. That’s just a working title for now. I’m not even sure whether to use the word phonics / literacy or how many activities there will be. I think that’ll come last! (Can’t think which series you mean, lol)
ReplyDeleteKate Cory-Wright Sounds good. I also liked the sound of your previous one, though, which sounded mostly finished... is there a reason you're not going to stick with that one?
ReplyDeleteDorothy Zemach Yes, the other one is perfect - and is still on the plan (no worries, Barbara and Chuck, or Gareth!) But... I was totally lost with the formatting of ebooks, so I prefer to start with something simple like tips (in order to learn HOW to write an ebook).
ReplyDeleteOnce I'm familiar with the technical skills, it will be much easier to see how to write / adapt a course book (which at present contains things like audio, WOLs, etc).
It took me just one day to write the phonics tips, as I have them all already :)
ReplyDeleteKate Cory-Wright Excellent! Now format those puppies!
ReplyDeleteDorothy Zemach Your command shall be my pleasure ;) Actually, they’re being formatted as you speak, despite our visitors, etc.
ReplyDelete