This book gives kindergarten teachers more than 60 field tested, developmentally appropriate activities that help children develop the emergent literacy skills they'll need to succeed in school.;;

Many of us are searching continually for that just-right book for each and every one of our students. It is my hope to help you find those books. More importantly, I hope to help you guide students to the next great book and the one after that. That is the purpose of Reading Ladders. Because it is not sufficient to find just one book for each reader. -Teri Lesesne "I finished the Twilight Series-now what?" With Reading Ladders, the answer to a question like this can become the first rung on a student's climb to greater engagement with books, to full independence, and beyond to a lifetime of passionate reading. "The goal of reading ladders," writes Teri Lesesne, "is to slowly move students from where they are to where we would like them to be." With reading ladders you start with the authors, genres, or subjects your readers like then connect them to book after book-each a little more complex or challenging than the last. Teri not only shares ready-to-go ladders, but her suggestions will help you: select books to create your own reading ladders build a classroom library that supports every student's needs use reading ladders to bolster content-area knowledge and build independence assess where students are at and how far they've climbed. "If we are about creating lifetime readers and not just readers who can utilize phonological awareness and context clues to bubble in answers on a state test," writes Teri Lesesne, "then we need to help our students form lasting relationships with books and authors and genres and formats." Use Reading Ladders, help your students start their climb, and guide them to new heights in reading.

Engaging word-study activities for independent practice, as well as whole-class fun!

Literacy is the foundation for all learning and must be accessible to all students. This fundamental truth is where Kimberly Parker begins to explore how culturally relevant teaching can help students work toward justice. Her goal is to make the literacy classroom a place where students can safely talk about key issues, move to dismantle inequities, and collaborate with one another. Introducing diverse texts is an essential part of the journey, but teachers must also be equipped with culturally relevant pedagogy to improve literacy instruction for all. In Literacy Is Liberation, Parker gives teachers the tools to build culturally relevant intentional literacy communities (CRILCs) with students. Through CRILCs, teachers can better shape their literacy instruction by * Reflecting on the connections between behaviors, beliefs, and racial identity. * Identifying the characteristics of culturally relevant literacy instruction and grounding their practice within a strengths-based framework. * Curating a culturally inclusive library of core texts, choice reading, and personal reading, and teaching inclusive texts with confidence. * Developing strategies to respond to roadblocks for students, administrators, and teachers. * Building curriculum that can foster critical conversations between students about difficult subjects—including race. In a culturally relevant classroom, it is important for students and teachers to get to know one another, be vulnerable, heal, and do the hard work to help everyone become a literacy high achiever. Through the practices in this book, teachers can create the more inclusive, representative, and equitable classroom environment that all students deserve.

Literacy skills are the cornerstone upon which students' knowledge, self-esteem, and future educational opportunities are built. But far too many teachers lack the time, materials, and specialized knowledge required to address these skills adequately. To that end, Climbing the Literacy Ladder is a one-stop shop to help teachers plan and differentiate literacy instruction for all students from prekindergarten through 5th grade. Literacy educator Beverly Tyner presents plans for small-group instruction that addresses elementary students' six developmental stages of reading and writing: emergent, beginning, fledgling, transitional, fluent, and independent. To help teachers support students' literacy development, this book also provides - Characteristics of readers and writers at each stage. - Lesson plans that target each of the research-based instructional components (fluency, word study, vocabulary, and comprehension). - Authentic classroom scenarios and conversations. - Practical classroom strategies and activities. - Advice for when to move students to the next stage. If students cannot read with comprehension by 3rd grade, then their educational future is cast in doubt. Climbing the Literacy Ladder will not only help you grow as a competent and empowered literacy teacher but also ensure that your students continue to travel a clear and unobstructed educational road. This book is a co-publication of ASCD and ILA.

A new addition to the best-selling Daily Word Ladder series, Content Areas will reinforce concepts students are learning in math, science, and social studies, while inviting them to dive into word study! A favorite format, these motivating word-building puzzles specifically build students' awareness of sound-symbol relationships, broaden their vocabulary, and improve spelling skills. Includes new teaching notes to provide extra teaching opportunities!

How can early childhood educators give young children a strong foundation of emergent literacy skills and a head start in social studies and science? The secrets of PAVEd for Success, a road map to school readiness for preschool and kindergarten students. Highly effective and ready to use, this proven program supplement helps early childhood educators explicitly teach vocabulary and oral language skills through lessons that introduce key social studies and science terms. Teachers will start with a complete introduction to the PAVEd for Success approach, with invaluable tips, strategies, and classroom examples to help them enhance young children's emergent literacy. Then they'll get 24 engaging PAVE lesson plans that: are scientifically based; use proven methods to improve students' vocabulary and oral language skills; fit perfectly with RTI; easily supplement existing literacy programs and class routines; teach children about science and social studies concepts; and work with diverse learners including children with disabilities and Enlgish language learners. The included CD-ROM gives teachers easy access to all the printable materials they need for the PAVE lessons: more than 350 vocabulary picture cards, checklists for teachers and supervisors, student tracking and assessment tools, and sample letters to parents. Plus a helpful appendix of crosswalks shows how the PAVE approach aligns with the goals and standards identified by today's most widely respected organizations and programs.