"A picture book about a nerdy birdy who just wants to hang out with the cool birds"--

A book about how big things can be accomplished by little thngs.

Spending all of his time on social media making online friends, Nerdy Birdy neglects his live friend, Vulture.

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. A first-grade teacher for decades, Maria is a master of “strategic savoring.” Her lesson design efficiently sparks instructional conversations around each book’s cover illustration, enriching vocabulary words, literary language, and the ideas and themes vital to young learners. 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 a springboard to joy in equal parts.

Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video games, and reading about video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd. One thing is clear: being a nerdy birdy is a lonely lifestyle. When he's at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him. He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.

The idea of storytelling goes beyond the borders of language, culture, or traditional education, and has historically been a tie that bonds families, communities, and nations. Digital storytelling offers opportunities for authentic academic and non-academic literacy learning across a multitude of genres. It is easily accessible to most members of society and has the potential to transform the boundaries of traditional education. As concepts around traditional literacy education evolve and become more culturally and linguistically relevant and responsive, the connections between digital storytelling and disciplinary literacy warrant considered exploration. Connecting Disciplinary Literacy and Digital Storytelling in K-12 Education develops a conceptual framework around pedagogical connections to digital storytelling within K-12 disciplinary literacy practices. This essential reference book supports student success through the integration of digital storytelling across content areas and grade levels. Covering topics that include immersive storytelling, multiliteracies, social justice, and pedagogical storytelling, it is intended for stakeholders interested in innovative K-12 disciplinary literacy skill development, research, and practices including but not limited to curriculum directors, education faculty, educational researchers, instructional facilitators, literacy professionals, teachers, pre-service teachers, professional development coordinators, teacher preparation programs, and students.

Everyone needs love—true, unconditional love. But what if you have known nothing but bullying, rejection, mental/physical abuse (including sexual abuse), self-mutilation, despair, and utter hopelessness? And what if you feel that you are not worthy of love, and blame yourself for all the ills that have befallen you? Is true love attainable? Based on real events, Looking for Love is the story about Danielle, a solitary, suicidal teenager who battles constant and incessant abuse. She lives a life in pursuit of love, craving just a scintilla of affection from her parents and the gentle touch of her mother. Transferring from one school to another, she is always the outcast where no one even talks to her. Almost everyone can point to an event in their lives that changed them forever. If only Danielle would have known about a certain thing in elementary school, her life would have taken a totally different direction. But not knowing that one thing led to more bullying and further crushed her already-fragile emotional state. When you have no friends; when no one talks to you or even acknowledges your presence; when your father ignores you; when you're the product of a mixed marriage and your racist mother berates you and detests your mere existence because you are the "wrong" skin color; when you can't trust anyone; and when you even question your sexual identity, what do you do? Is there an escape from bullying, abuse, despair, rejection, and utter hopelessness? Looking for Love is about hope, resiliency, and the quest for true love.