Primary Literacy Centers


Book Description

For K-3 teachers Seven easy-to-maintain centers help you work smarter, not harder, as you connect standards-based reading and writing instruction with student application of skills and strategies. Your literacy centers will become focused places of learning, keeping you free to teach small groups and minimize student interruption--and you control how to fit the centers into your day. Primary Literacy Centers: Supports the balanced literacy approach; Features 36 language arts mini-lessons with easy-to-use center connections; Correlates to NCTE/IRA National Language Arts Standards; Incorporates both fiction and nonfiction text; and Gives students time to practice and apply literacy-block skills and strategies that you teach and model &&/UL&&Here's everything you need to know to set up and manage centers in a balanced literacy framework for: Reading, Word Work, Read the Room, Listening, Research, Literature Response, Writing, and Poetry. Make literacy centers a vital part of your classroom!




Guided by Meaning in Primary Literacy


Book Description

Using a research-based approach, this book examines the critical connections between writing and reading, and it explains how to encourage early literacy in the classroom and library. How can teachers and librarians support true literacy in young learners? Are very young children guided by meaning in constructing their reality and their relationship to the world? What is the value of championing writing at the kindergarten level? Guided by Meaning in Primary Literacy: Libraries, Reading, Writing, and Learning answers these questions and many more, providing best practices in early literacy through explicit lessons in writing and reading and demonstrating how the library can extend learning in deep and powerful ways. While some books emphasize reading, others emphasize writing, and still others focus on library instruction, this profound resource brings all of the components of literacy together in a meaningful way. Throughout the book, the authors highlight examples of student writing, anecdotes from the real world, and connections between theory and what happens in practical application. Unique in its thoroughness of content for this age group, this text is essential reading for all early childhood teachers and librarians working in schools and in public libraries with young children. The book also serves trainers working with teachers and librarians to increase their effectiveness in working with young children to promote early literacy.




Comprehensive Literacy Basics


Book Description

Teaching English language arts at grades K-5 is both a science and an art. Educators must teach literacy skills and content with best practices, while also keeping focus on each student's individual needs. They are challenged to monitor students working independently while also conducting small group instruction. And they must focus on providing differentiated support with a rather complicated text. With increased attention to rigor, requirements, and personalized instruction, it can be a challenge to make sure all students are receiving instruction that is just right. Comprehensive Literacy Basics: An Anthology by Capstone Professional contains useful tips to support educators. Chapters focus on each part of the literacy and language arts block, including whole group, small group, writing, and differentiation. A collection of expert authors specializing in literacy and language arts instruction contributed chapters to the book. The quick tips and suggestions within will reinforce current practices while providing an invaluable go-to reference.




Collaborating for Real Literacy


Book Description

Advances in literacy require collaboration between all of a school's stakeholders. This book harnesses the latest research and takes into consideration CCSS to show how to make that collaboration a reality. Authentic literacy practice is crucial to preparing all students to be successful both in the workplace and college in the 21st century. Insisting that this literacy achievement will only happen when librarians, teachers, literacy coaches, and administrators work together in their schools, Collaborating for Real Literacy addresses the role of each instructional leader individually and examines the importance of the group collectively in bolstering the literacy of all students. Practical ways to support the teaching of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are infused throughout every chapter. In this second edition of the book, core chapters on scaffolding, literacy centers, family literacy, English-language learners, comprehension, assessment, writing, and discussion have been updated based on current research and CCSS. Each of these chapters now offers suggestions for literacy coaches. Also new are recommendations for grades K–5 and 6–12, demonstrating specific ways to apply instructional ideas to different age levels and providing materials that can be used for the instruction. Additionally, three new chapters have been added with real literacy instructional ideas for content area reading and Response to Intervention (support for struggling readers).




Starting Strong


Book Description

Starting Strong: Evidence-Based Early Literacy Practices shows teachers how to use four proven instructional approaches-;standards based, evidenced based, assessment based, and student based-;to improve their teaching practice in all areas of early literacy.Authors Katrin Blamey and Katherine Beauchat draw on their years of experience and early literacy expertise to guide you in figuring out what to teach and how to find the most instructionally sound method to teach it. They help you determine the instructional needs of your classroom and take full advantage of what you know about your students so you can engage them in learning.With chapters on oral language, vocabulary, phonological awareness, word recognition, comprehension, and writing skills, this comprehensive book explains each skill and provides research-based strategies for targeting each area. Supported by evidence-based research and aligned to key tenets of the Common Core, the book also includes classroom-tested activities and children's literature suggestions for each area of literacy.Starting Strong is an essential resource that any early literacy teacher or coach using a balanced literacy approach can use to build a solid foundation for their students.




Creating Strategic Readers: Techniques for Supporting Rigorous Literacy Instruction


Book Description

Develop students' literacy and active reading skills with this balanced, whole-child approach to reading for 21st-century learners. This updated book co-published with the International Literacy Association (ILA) equips educators with numerous rigorous and engaging techniques that promote critical thinking and problem solving while reading. The strategies provided concentrate on effective instruction within the five components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Features include: more than 125 enhanced classroom-tested techniques in the areas of word study, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension; 18 new techniques to motivate and engage all learners; embedded scaffolding and teacher talk within each technique; a focus on core literacy strands required by College and Career Readiness Standards; and digital resources including an assortment of reproducible student and teacher resource sheets.




Word Journeys


Book Description

This trusted teacher resource and course text provides a comprehensive approach to assessing and building children's word knowledge (grades K–8). Kathy Ganske shows how carefully planned word study can improve students' reading and writing skills while fostering their appreciation of language. Complete instructions are provided for implementing the Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA), an easy-to-use assessment tool, and for tailoring instruction to learners' strengths and weaknesses. Numerous word lists, student work samples, and "Literature Links" are included, along with 27 reproducible forms. The large-size format facilitates photocopying. Purchasers also get access to a webpage where they can download and print the reproducible materials. New to This Edition: *Addresses the Common Core State Standards. *Incorporates additional activities and technology tips, plus updated research findings. *Chapter explaining the meaning of word study and its role in literacy instruction, including "Researcher Voices" perspectives from noted experts. *Ideas for making the most of small-group instructional time. *Expanded "Literature Links" book lists, now including informational texts. *DSA answer sheets have been enhanced for easier scoring and several new reproducibles added. See also the companion volumes from Ganske, Word Sorts and More, Second Edition: Sound, Pattern, and Meaning Explorations K–3 and Mindful of Words, Second Edition: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations, Grades 4–8, which provide a wealth of ready-to-use word study activities.







Differentiated Literacy Instruction


Book Description

C.2 Template for Assessment Data Compilation Form -- C.3 Literacy Assessment Correlation Chart -- Author Index -- Subject Index




The Ramped-Up Read Aloud


Book Description

What if each page of a picture book was guaranteed to enhance a child’s reading and writing tenfold? Would you ramp up your read alouds? In this remarkable resource, Maria Walther shares two-page read aloud experiences for 101 picture books that tune you into what to notice, say, and wonder in order to bolster students’ literacy exponentially. The read alouds in this book will help teachers: Foster a strong sense of community Celebrate the written (and illustrated) word Build a foundation for future reading and learning Expand vocabulary (with a focus on Tier 2 words) Support budding writers Spark collaborative conversations Encourage perspective-taking, empathy, and a growth mindset A first grade teacher for decades, Maria is a master of "strategic savoring." Her lesson design efficiently sparks instructional conversations around the cover illustration, enriching vocabulary words, literary language, and the ideas and themes vital to young learners. Maria arranges the rich fiction and nonfiction titles into chapters that mirror the way primary teachers plan curriculum. Need books tailor made for building community? Teaching literary elements? Comprehension strategies? Foundational and language skills? Inspiring writers? It’s all here and at the ready. Coaching tips on expressive oral reading, strategic seating, uncovering language nuances for EL students, effective questioning and more make the art of sharing books and learning with children do-able for everyone. Teachers, schools, and districts looking to energize your core reading and writing program, search no further: The Ramped-Up Read Aloud delivers a formula for literacy development and joy in equal parts.