Reviews of The Common Core Grammar Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Language Standards in Grades 3-5 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2013):
"There is a huge need for this book. Grammar is a commonly overlooked and misunderstood area of teaching. Teachers rely on workbooks in the absence of more relevant strategies. This book is practical, applicable, and timely with its integration of the Common Core."
—Mimi Brown, Literacy Coach, Issaquah School District, WA
"Literacy coaches could use this book to help teachers more effectively weave strong reading and writing practices together. The annotated bibliography is a great tool for coaches to share with teachers so they can see quality titles of literature immediately to whet their appetite!"
—Elizabeth Hopper, Director of Targeted Professional Development, The Center for Literacy Education and Research at Purdue University
Reviews of The Common Core Grammar Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Language Standards in Grades 6-8 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2014):
"I love this book! It is definitely the right book at the right time for middle school teachers. The Common Core Grammar Toolkit provides clear explanations of each standards-required grammatical concept using exemplary mentor sentences (my favorite part!) plus practical tips for helping students apply these concepts to their own writing (my other favorite part!). This is a perfect text for helping teachers achieve the goal of teaching grammar in the context of writing instruction."
--Elizabeth Dinkins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Literacy and Language Arts Education, Bellarmine University, KY
"By couching grammar instruction in the context of good writing and using high-interest mentor texts, this book actually made me excited to teach grammar! I gained a deeper understanding of the standards myself, and thanks to the classroom snapshots and recommendations, I feel confident that I can implement this same engaging instruction in my own classroom."
--Jennifer Wilson, Middle School English Teacher, The Field School, Charlottesville, VA
Reviews of The Common Core Grammar Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Language Standards in Grades 9-12 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2017):
"Many teachers try to use single worksheets and exercises, but do students actually benefit from this? No they do not. The Common Core Grammar Toolkit, 9-12 will help change that."
--Denise Golubski, English Department Chair, Holy Name High School, OH
"Enjoyable and practical, The Common Core Grammar Toolkit, 9-12 by Sean Ruday is an invaluable resource for teachers seeking to integrate grammar and writing instruction. Ruday combines easy-to-understand descriptions of grammatical concepts and teaching methods with classroom snapshots to demonstrate how to help high school students excel as writers."
--April M. Burke, PhD, Assistant Professor of Educational Linguistics, Central Michigan University
Reviews of The informational Writing Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts in Grades 3-5 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2014):
"I think that all teachers who are teaching their students to read and write informational text (that would be ALL teachers) should purchase this book. There are many appealing features, including the consistency of the format; the fact that each chapter can be used in conjunction with another or independently, depending on the class' needs; the mentor texts; and the graphic organizers."
-- Jacqueline Tostado, Literacy Coach, Chicago, IL
"The practical examples, "Classroom Snapshots," are very appealing in helping the reader visualize the strategies in action. The step by step instructional recommendations make the information easy to access and implement. As an instructional coach, I will use this book guide teachers in enhancing their writing instruction to align with Common Core. I only wish this book had been available when I was teaching fifth grade writing!"
--Karina Nevers, Learning Strategist, Las Vegas, NV
Reviews of The Argument Writing Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts in Grades 6-8 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2015):
"In readable, accessible language, Sean Ruday covers all the bases for teaching argument writing to middle school students. The Argument Writing Tookit is exactly what teachers need to help students think logically and express themselves cogently about important topics. This is a book that all middle school teachers will want to keep within arm's reach."
--Amy Benjamin, Literacy Consultant and author of thirteen books, including Infusing Grammar Into the Writer’s Workshop
"Untangling an inherently complex task, Ruday supports middle school teachers in creating authentic argument writing experiences for students. Teachers will appreciate the student-friendly analysis of the attributes of effective argument writing, the concrete strategies for integrating reading and writing using mentor texts, and the thoughtful discussion on assessment--and busy teachers will find a treasure trove in the annotated bibliography. I will be using this book with my pre-service English teachers as it provides easy access into a significant instructional area that can panic the inexperienced!"
--Natasha A. Heny, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English Education, University of Virginia
"Ruday provides relevant, practical strategies that teachers can use to improve students' argumentative writing pieces. With the Common Core era upon us, it is imperative that teachers are able to effectively guide students to improve their writing skills, and Ruday successfully weaves the Common Core standards with interesting, easy-to-implement strategies and lessons."
--Kim Wagner, 6th Grade Honors English Language Arts Teacher, Traughber Junior High School, IL
Reviews of The Narrative Writing Toolkit: Using Mentor Texts in Grades 3-8 (Routledge Eye on Education, 2016):
"This book focuses on the ‘what,’ the ‘why,’ and the ‘how’ of narrative writing with resources and real classroom examples to support the teaching suggestions and sequences. The strategies are effectively organized with the goal of the gradual release of responsibility. Each of the narrative standards is clearly divided and ‘unwrapped’ for the reader with practical classroom examples and graphic organizers. It takes the overwhelming feeling out of teaching narrative writing."
--Karina Nevers, Learning Strategist, Gibson Elementary School, Henderson, Nevada
"The Narrative Writing Toolkit has great usefulness for language arts teachers in grades 3-8 and beyond. Not only does the book clarify the Common Core State Standards for narrative writing, but it also breathes life into the standards through the engaging use of mentor texts and classroom narratives. I even plan to use some of these techniques to teach my college courses. There is always a need to focus on ways to present material, illustrate it with mentor texts, let the students practice with group activities, and then be able to take responsibility for the material in their own writing."
--Sharon Saylors, Associate Professor of English, Prince George’s Community College, Largo, Maryland, and Co-President, Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar, an NCTE affiliate
Reviews of The Multimedia Writing Toolkit: Helping Students Incorporated Graphics and Videos for Authentic Purposes (Routledge Eye on Education, 2016):
Whether veteran or novice teacher, we all struggle with teaching media literacy. This book makes it possible for us to cope with the technology as well as the larger issue of why and how we should integrate multimedia into our writing instruction. It helps us re-imagine multimedia as a manageable, organic part of our curriculum that can increase student engagement and improve writing and critical thinking rather than have it be another impossible task thrown on overburdened English teachers. Teachers need this text!
--Robin D. Smith, Associate Professor of English and English Education Coordinator, Longwood University, VA
"The best thing about this book is that you don't have to be a techie to appreciate it! Ruday's Toolkit is ideal for teachers who want to learn practical strategies for the authentic use of multimedia in student writing. Like his other "toolkits," this book is easy-to-read, rich with student examples, and has step-by-step suggestions for teachers. It is designed to capitalize on student interest in technology by fostering critical thinking skills for meaningful integration of technology—not just technology for technology sake!"
—Dr. Amy Price Azano, Assistant Professor of Adolescent Literacy, Virginia Tech
"The Multimedia Writing Toolkit is a wonderful way to breathe life into (at times) dull writing lessons. Today's students are so focused on technology that bringing the multimedia aspect of their lives into their writing truly makes a real world connection for them. It is this real world connection that helps to create a lasting memory in their brains. Dr. Ruday has created a toolkit that is easy for all educators, from novice to expert, to follow, using real classroom examples and setups. I cannot wait to use this in my classroom!"
--Kristen Brady, Ed.S., ELA Teacher, Pasco County Schools, FL
"Sean Ruday has done another terrific job of zooming in on the three main genres the Common Core State Standards has our young writers focus on in the classroom. Sean's simple ideas of implementing technology into these genres does not overwhelm the reader and the lessons can be easily adjusted for anyone's classroom. A must read as our students learn more and more how to use technology in responsible ways."
—Jeremy Hyler, middle school Language Arts teacher and co-author of From Texting to Teaching: Grammar Instruction in a Digital Age