As a communication arts teacher, I had the privilege of teaching RULES of the ROAD for several years in a row to my 8th and 9th grade reading students. They loved reading about and interacting with the vibrant realistic characters. Teenagers like the fact that much of the story revolves around adolescent interests (like getting a job, learning to drive a car, friendships, etc.), and has a compelling and exciting story line with lots of action that keeps them turning the pages.

From the teacher's perspective, RULES of the ROAD comes across as a powerful book and a very teachable text with solid characters and excellent plot development. Most notable are the good "one-liners" and "life lessons" interwoven into the text by the author that make the story come alive and be a great example of realistic fiction for young adults.

This web-based guide is designed to supply user-friendly support materials for teachers, librarians, parents, and readers of all ages. It provides a smorgasbord of reading and response strategies and practical classroom suggestions that will help you to provide and attain a meaningful literary experience. There are many options built in so users, at a variety of different levels, can pick and choose to explore some or all of the material depending on the needs and abilities of the reading audience.

As a teacher I fully understand the importance of having good solid support materials readily available to empower my teaching and enhance the reading experience of my students. The suggestions in this guide are directly aligned to the newest English Language Arts Standards as outlined by the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) as well as the IRA (International Reading Association). They are also based on current research into "best practices for interacting with text" and on years of language arts classroom experience.

As you navigate through this guide you will see sections featuring teacher lesson plans, activities, assessments and suggestions as well as sections for readers with response activities. Guides for each chapter can be used by both teachers and students to maximize the reading and responding process.

We welcome suggestions and feedback on how this support material has helped enrich your reading and teaching experience. Have a great time reading and responding to RULES of the ROAD!

-Bob Bergstrom

Print a .pdf version of the teaching guide and reading guide.