Author Archives: Specialist Online Dictionary

An Education [Blu-ray] (2009)

An Education [Blu-ray]

Amazon.com

A young girl seduced by an older man may be a common story, but An Education is no common movie. As Jenny, a precocious middle-class British schoolgirl charmed by a small-time criminal, newcomer Carey Mulligan is luminous; her face can be plain and beautiful at the same time, her eyes expressing a restless intelligence and a hungry soul. As David, the seducer, Peter Sarsgaard (Year of the Dog, Garden State) gives yet another rich, thoughtful performance. The script, adapted by Nick Hornby (whose novels High Fidelity and About a Boy have been made into movies), is full of unexpected details that bring every moment to life. Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has made sure that every character is vivid and real; even seemingly minor moments have texture and vitality. The supporting cast–including Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour (Adaptation), Dominic Cooper (The History Boys), and Olivia Williams (Rushmore)–is simply impeccable. In a smal (more…)

Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains (Paperback)

Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains

Review

“Each teacher must have a toolkit of time-tested strategies that are effective with all types of students. Teaching Outside the Box is the unique resource that also acknowledges the importance of each teacher’s personal attitudes and beliefs about teaching. I am recommending this book to every teacher I know!” –Gayle Robertson Jones, Safe and Drug-Free School Coordinator, Oklahoma State Department of Education “LouAnne Johnson is an exceptional teacher who is unafraid to grapple with the untidy human realities of teaching and learning, and who is willing to share the secrets of her success with others. Teaching Outside the Box offers a wealth of important questions and answers that all teachers should seriously think about.” –Edward Pajak, director, graduate education, Johns Hopkins University “As a student, I wish all teachers would read this book. If they put these strategies to use, school would be more fun. Teaching Outside the Box sho (more…)

An Education (2009)

An Education

Amazon.com

A young girl seduced by an older man may be a common story, but An Education is no common movie. As Jenny, a precocious middle-class British schoolgirl charmed by a small-time criminal, newcomer Carey Mulligan is luminous; her face can be plain and beautiful at the same time, her eyes expressing a restless intelligence and a hungry soul. As David, the seducer, Peter Sarsgaard (Year of the Dog, Garden State) gives yet another rich, thoughtful performance. The script, adapted by Nick Hornby (whose novels High Fidelity and About a Boy have been made into movies), is full of unexpected details that bring every moment to life. Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has made sure that every character is vivid and real; even seemingly minor moments have texture and vitality. The supporting cast–including Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour (Adaptation), Dominic Cooper (The History Boys), and Olivia Williams (Rushmore)–is simply impeccable. In a smal (more…)