Brouwer - Rock & Roll Literacy

PRAISE FOR THE

ROCK & ROLL
LITERACY SHOW

FROM EDUCATORS AND PARENTS

I think it would be great to have you speak at a teachers convention. Your writing message is simple yet so effective. We teachers (and especially the consultants) get caught up in the newest pedagogy sometimes to the detriment of the students.

SUNNINGDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MOOSE JAW, SASK ATCHEWAN

The Rock & Roll Literacy presentation captivated both the students and teachers. Sigmund gave our teachers and students valuable tips about the writing process, how to get ideas, and he connected it all with high-energy music that motivated and sustained the attention and engagement of the students as he shared.

CLAXTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

Thanks again for the excellent presentation yesterday everyone was buzzing about it today! Many of the teachers tried the writing activities in the teachers resource package you sent, and at lunch they were raving about how engaged the kids were. One of our grade three boys even said to his teacher, Im hookin ya! Awesome.

PARK AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL, HOLL AND LANDING, ONTARIO

Thank you so much for taking the time to do the writing workshop. It was a huge success.

SUCCESS - IN-MIND LEARNING SCHOOL, LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

My most reluctant reader, who never reads anything but Spiderman, Batman or Incredible Hulk books, has now read most of your books, and has started asking me for the Narnia books and the Lord of the Rings. Keep motivating students and writing great books.

WINKLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WINKLER, MANITOBA

I believe that your comments will have a far-reaching effect. So many valuable life lessons came through. By the way, one of my non-readers just came by my desk to tell me that he is already in chapter six of one of your sports novels. They loved you!

GRASSLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL, FRANKL IN, TENNESSEE

Just to let everyone know, we had author Sigmund Brouwer at our school this morning! HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST presenters we have ever had. The students and staff were thrilled, entertained and inspired by the presentation.

WILLOW LANDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BARRIE, ONTARIO

Several teachers remarked that it was one of the best author presentations theyve ever experienced. Bravo!

GLANFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL, VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

We all had a blast. One of the fourth-grade teachers told the principal that we should have you every year. Mr. Robison hasnt stopped grinning from ear to ear yet. The kids are browsing your books. It was an unforgettable experience. We are all excited about writing stories.

KITTRELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

I have never seen the kids so hyped-up about a presentation or about writing as they were when they came back [from the Rock& Roll Literacy Show].

HUMBOLDT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, HUMBOLDT, SASKATCHEWAN

We, as teachers, love the way the excitement continues for such a long time after you leave. I just now had a student say, I have never thought of writing that way. Another student said, I liked the way he talked about us becoming better writers instead of just talking about his books. Keep in touch. We love hearing from you!

WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, COLUMBUS, OHIO

[Sigmund Brouwer] did more for literacy in twenty minutes than anyone has in five yearshe gets it!

STRATHROY DISTRICT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, STRATHROY, ONTARIO

Thanks again for your fabulous presentation here at NCI. I heard lots of rave reviews throughout the day. My students are just itching to grab a pencil and come up with crazy story lines.

NIVERVILLE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE SCHOOL, NIVERVILLE, MANITOBA

I just wanted to thank you so much for coming to our school last week. The students are still talking about your visit and asking for your books. We asked students from all grades what they really thought of your visit. The responses were amazing. The elementary teachers have already had the students begin writing using the three points you told them. They are very pleased with the results.

BEARSPAW SCHOOL, CALGARY, ALBERTA

ROCK & ROLL
LITERACY

SIGMUND BROUWER

ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS

Text copyright 2011 Sigmund Brouwer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Brouwer, Sigmund, 1959
Rock & roll literacy [electronic resource] / written by Sigmund Brouwer.

Electronic monograph in PDF format.
Issued also in print format.
ISBN 978-1-55469-359-7

1. Reading. 2. Creative writing--Study and teaching. 3. Literacy
Study and teaching. I. Title. II. Title: Rock and roll literacy.
LB1050.B76 2011 428.4 C2011-903331-3

First published in the United States, 2011
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011929248

Summary: Sigmund Brouwer brings his unique sense of play
to the serious business of learning to read and write.

Orca Book Publishers is dedicated to preserving the environment and has printed this book
on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

Cover design by Teresa Bubela
Cover photography by Reba Baskett

www.rockandroll-literacy.com
www.orcabook.com
Printed and bound in Canada.

14 13 12 11 4 3 2 1

To Andrew, Bob, Sarah and everyone else at Orcafrom thefront desk to the warehouse and everywhere in between. Thanksfor the amazing boost youve given to Rock & Roll Literacy.

And to Doc Ivanthanks for great conversations, compellingarguments and, most of all, for helping my little girls smilebecome even more beautiful.

CONTENTS

T hanks for letting me share Rock & Roll Literacy with you.

I take this privilege very seriously, mainly because of an unexpected phone call from a stranger. The call came a couple of years after I began presenting at schools. Until then, my school appearances had been all about funfor me and for the students.

The woman on the phone that night started crying after I confirmed that I was indeed the author who had been at a certain school; I braced myself to hear what Id done to upset her.