Focuses on the inter-relationship between reading, writing and speaking and listening. This work blends theory, research and practice to show how an integrated programme of work can be developed to ensure that literacy is taught in a vibrant and stimulating way. It also examines strategies for developing successful group work.

`This book is aimed at class teachers of Reception to Year 3 seeking ideas to develop their pupils′ speaking and listening skills. The author describes each activity in an easy-to-follow format with links to the relevant curriculum targets. The most valuable part of the book is the commentary from the author′s own teaching experience. This provides some useful insights, such as the fact that the flow of children′s ideas was improved while they had a discussion while engaged in drawing. The book is easy to read. It... provide[s] a practical guide to some tried and tested speaking and listening activities which may be useful for the beginning Foundation or Key Stage 1 teacher′ - Special! Do the children in your class need help with language and listening skills? Lots of ideas and suggestions for activities using and encouraging talk in the classroom make this book a lively, practical guide to encouraging young children to develop their verbal reasoning skills and to communicate more effectively. There is advice on how to tie in these activities with the various curriculum subjects and the following are covered: - setting up a talk corner - using story bags and story boxes - using Circle Time and playing games to encourage talk In each activity there are directions for helping children with Special Educational Needs, working with Teaching Assistants (TAs) and other adults in the classroom, planning and assessing work and finding suitable resources. A selection of photocopiable material is included and all the suggestions and ideas in the book have been tried and tested by the author in her own classroom. The focus of this book is on young children aged 5 to 8, but the activities can be adapted to suit those younger or older.

"Describing effective, creative strategies for talking with students in ways that enhance literacy learning, this book offers a window into the classrooms of four exemplary teachers. Principles of productive classroom discussions are illustrated with detailed case examples. The book shows how--and explains why--"real talk" can enhance student engagement, foster critical thinking, promote mastery of literacy concepts, and instill a lasting love of reading. It offers ideas for selecting children's literature and fitting a range of interactive literacy activities into the school day. The authors draw on current knowledge about the connections between oral language and literacy development across the elementary grades"-- Provided by publisher.

Teachers know quality talk helps develop students' intelligence. Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough support in showing teachers how to plan for this kind of talk. In this book, authors Ian Wilkinson and Kristin Bourdage bring together research-proven approaches to talk about text and offer teachers different models based on the specific skills they want to develop in students. More than just one approach, theirs is a versatile collection of approaches that will develop and expand students' knowledge and skills. Ian and Kristin provide a menu of approaches to discussion about texts based on different purposes: talk about text to emphasize personal response talk about text to emphasize knowledge building talk about text to emphasize argumentation. Organized in a way that allows teachers to dip in and out of the chapters as needed, you'll be able to decide which discussion approaches are most closely aligned with the needs of the moment. With a talk assessment tool, text examples to use with each discussion approach, and links to classroom videos that give you realistic models of what this can look like across a range of grades, you'll have all the resources you need to discover the joys of quality talk about text.

This book examines the place of talk in learning and the role of such talk in literacy education. It builds on a strong tradition of research into the role of talk in constructing curriculum knowledge, the relationship between talking and thinking, and the significance of extended, in-depth dialogic interaction in classroom talk. However, it differs from tradition with its emphasis on the need to make the role of language in learning more visible and more explicit. This book places particular emphasis on the relationship between dialogic pedagogy and language-based approaches to learning. Contributions range from discussions on educational linguistics and dialogic pedagogy as complementary perspectives to needs of students for whom English is an additional language or dialect. This volume was originally published as a special issue of Research Papers in Education.

Discover the language and learning possibilities of young children’s active engagement with book experiences, in which they talk with one another as they make meaning from literature centered around their lives and interests. Drawing from their backgrounds as teachers and researchers, as well as their many experiences facilitating and observing read-alouds with diverse students, the authors provide a practical guide to conducting book discussions that promote deep engagement and the natural development of literacy skills. The text includes detailed recommendations for setting up the classroom reading environment, selecting books, preparing materials, setting goals, and integrating discussions with curricular demands, all while maintaining a child-centered philosophy and addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Book Talk melds theory about literacy learning with the practical realities of reading and talking with young children in 21st-century preschool and primary classrooms. Book Features: Promotes read-aloud experiences that keep children, their backgrounds, and their experiences front and center.Offers guidance for tailoring discussions around specific learning goals across the literacy curriculum.Shares the authors’ learning journeys and their support for the learning of other early childhood educators.Includes vignettes from classroom literature discussions, as well as conversations between educators.Incorporates classroom observations, teacher reflections, and research-based teaching practices.Addresses a variety of early childhood audiences, including preschool, kindergarten, and primary-grade teachers, preservice teacher candidates, school librarians, and teacher educators.

"This title examines the benefits and practices of academic conversations and social discourse in grades 3-12. Builds on activities and why academic conversations are important"--