Product reviews for Opening Doors to Famous Poetry and Prose

I would highly recommend this resource to anyone who wanted to explore our classic literature but wasn't quite sure where to start. I would also recommend it to teachers who have been exploring our classic literature and are looking for new ways to do it! I will certainly be using it.


This book is well structured but written in such a way that you do not feel -˜bound' to an overly long and detailed lesson plan or unit. It provides short useful chapters on each text, using the same structure for each one: suggestions for -˜access strategies' or ways into the text; approaches for a full exploration of the text and finally ideas for writing. What I really like about the resource is the way Bob expands on some of the generic pedagogy - it's not just ideas - it supports a teacher's professional development. You are able to learn why you are using a particular strategy as well as how to do it!

The suggestions for differentiation were excellent, especially the -˜higher challenges'.

I particularly like the sections which give examples of -˜Excellent responses will-¦' following a discussion or an activity. Really helpful to newly qualified teachers, in particular.

Bob's writing style is accessible, interesting, dialogic and personable. A busy classroom teacher would find this resource easy to access and invaluable for planning.

The -˜Bob says-¦' sections were useful tips from an experienced practitioner. I also appreciated the -˜Beyond the limit' section and the CD-ROM text samples. What might have improved this even further was recordings of people reading them aloud.