Book Description

Designed to show teachers how to create environments that will encourage literate talk, not discourage it, this book discusses ways to organize classrooms that will support the sharing of books in the same way that book-loving families share books. The book builds on the interwoven nature of language, suggesting that by talking about books, children deepen their reading comprehension; by telling and listening to stories, they develop skills in communication and ideas for writing; and by dramatizing favorite scenes, they make personal connections to literature that spark continued reading and exploration. After an introduction by Bernice E. Cullinan, chapters in the book are: (1) "Enriching Oral Language with Literature" (Sheila M. Fitzgerald); (2) "Storytelling" (Bob Barton); (3)"Creative Drama and Language Arts" (Sam Leaton Sebesta); (4) "'It's Really Special Because You Get to Think': Talking about Literature" (Julie E. Wollman-Bonilla); and (5) "Literature Circles: Hearing Children's Voices" (Kathy G. Short and Charlene Klassen). A citation index, a children's book author index, and a children's book title index are attached. (RS)