This guide has been prepared to assist teachers at the senior elementary and early secondary levels who would like to use Bill Freeman's First Spring on the Grand Banks young adult novel in English and in Canadian history classes. Stanley Sparkes has written a comprehensive guide includes a commentary on Newfoundland literature; an historical background on the social, political and economic setting of the story; a selection of varied teaching methods by which the novel may be approached; and a list of resources relevant to the themes of the book.

In this exciting tale set in the 1870s, John and Meg Bains and their friend Canso arrive in Nova Scotia to find that Canso's father has died and his schooner seized for debts. Refused credit for a fishing trip by the merchant Hunter, they take the schooner and flee to Tower Rock, Newfoundland, intending to make enough money fishing to repay the debts. But then the law arrives and Canso is jailed. Their only hope is to persuade the women of Tower Rock to catch cod with them. And that is just what happens. The story ends with Canso's trial and the final showdown with Hunter.

In Skills ManiaBob Davis argues passionately that the emphasis in the secondary school classroom must shift from a technocratic, skills-based approach, to teaching and discussion that focuses on real, substantive issues. He also calls for a new emphasis on the teaching of history, a practice that has been sadly lacking in recent years. Two central qualities warm up this book: first the story is told through the author's own teaching, and second, the author presents us with an original and frank point of view. This is a stiring, engaged, and practical book.

Teaching strategies with a resources guide.

Explore the lives of 83 of the most talented children's authors writing today. Told in the authors' own words, these lively biographies describe the creative process, and offer advice to today's young writers. Learn how they crate wonderful books, where they get their ideas, what their desks look like, and what their favourite books were when they were growing up.