Tomi was born in Hawaii. His grandfather and parents were born in Japan, and came to America to escape poverty. World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats. But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomi’s father and grandfather are arrested. It’s a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesn’t change: the loyalty of Tomi’s buddies, the Rats.

This comprehensive step-by-step guide provides practical guidance to implement literature circles in any social studies or language arts classroom. This book provides a how-to guide for a novice or veteran teacher or library media specialist who is interested in implementing literature circles with high interest texts. After an introduction that covers the research findings on literature circles and supplies a framework for implementation of literature circles in the classroom and library, Teaching Historical Fiction with Ready-Made Literature Circles for Secondary Readers presents 14 selected historical fiction titles for grades 7 through 12 that lend themselves perfectly to interdisciplinary teaching. Each selection is accompanied by bibliographic information, an annotation, vocabulary words, discussion questions, and guided reading questions, as well as lessons for before, during, and after reading. The titles included cover many historical time periods and topics that can easily aligned with state and national standards. Just as importantly, these are texts that a history teacher or literature instructor would find beneficial to use with students.

"New ways to teach reading, writing and the love of literature"--Cover.

"Because We Can Change the World is a powerful antidote to the bullying, intolerance, and exclusion that are all too commonplace in our schools. Through helpful insights, practical strategies, and a powerful vision grounded in social justice, this book gives teachers the inspiration and hope they need to carry on." —Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy, and Culture University of Massachusetts, Amherst "I have personally seen classroom cultures completely transformed as a result of using the techniques in this book. If you don′t already use this book to promote community, collaboration, and inclusion in your school, do it immediately so students can learn that inclusion is more than a place or a policy—it is a commitment to acceptance, an honoring of difference, and, as Sapon-Shevin so eloquently reminds us, a belief that we just might ′change the world.′" —Paula Kluth, Educational Consultant Change the world, one classroom at a time! It is impossible for most students to achieve academically if they do not feel safe, supported, welcomed, and accepted. By structuring democratic classrooms as models of diversity, cooperation, and inclusion, teachers can help children learn skills and values that lay a foundation for good citizenship and will make a differences in their lives now and in the future. Mara Sapon-Shevin provides a unique vision of elementary classrooms that allow all children to experience academic success. This long-awaited new edition of a highly acclaimed book: Calls on all educators to create diverse, inclusive classrooms and promote social justice Discusses the barriers to creating cooperative classrooms and how they can be overcome Includes activities, songs, and children′s literature that promote acceptance and understanding Includes new "Reframing Our Work" sections with reflective questions that help readers examine their own beliefs and teaching practices With updated resources and a stronger emphasis on differentiated instruction, Because We Can Change the World gives teachers the vision, courage, and strategies to make the world a better place, starting with their own classrooms.

Guides teachers through a variety of projects, samples, and classroom anecdotes that demonstrate how teachers can help students become more effective writers of good nonfiction.