The goal of this book -- a theoretically based, well-organized, useful guide for teaching -- is to help the beginning teacher create a classroom environment that integrates literacy development with learning in all areas of the curriculum. The major components of an integrated language program are identified, and the skills teachers need to implement this kind of program in their own classrooms are described. Designed to be kept and used as a resource in the classroom, this text provides fundamental information about language arts teaching. A constructivist orientation, an emphasis on teachers as reflective decision makers, and vivid portrayals of the classroom as a community of learners and inquirers are woven throughout the book. Key features include: * a wealth of models, suggestions, and step-by-step guidelines for introducing integrated teaching and learning practices into elementary classrooms at the kindergarten, primary, and intermediate levels; * a focus on relevant research in language arts and professional teacher development; * true-to-life classroom narratives that model instructional strategies and demonstrate interactions between real teachers and students; and * an innovative chapter format that makes the text accessible as a resource for student, beginning, and experienced teachers.

The goal of this book -- a theoretically based, well-organized, useful guide for teaching -- is to help the beginning teacher create a classroom environment that integrates literacy development with learning in all areas of the curriculum. The major components of an integrated language program are identified, and the skills teachers need to implement this kind of program in their own classrooms are described. Designed to be kept and used as a resource in the classroom, this text provides fundamental information about language arts teaching. A constructivist orientation, an emphasis on teachers as reflective decision makers, and vivid portrayals of the classroom as a community of learners and inquirers are woven throughout the book. Key features include: * a wealth of models, suggestions, and step-by-step guidelines for introducing integrated teaching and learning practices into elementary classrooms at the kindergarten, primary, and intermediate levels; * a focus on relevant research in language arts and professional teacher development; * true-to-life classroom narratives that model instructional strategies and demonstrate interactions between real teachers and students; and * an innovative chapter format that makes the text accessible as a resource for student, beginning, and experienced teachers.

This innovative resource describes how teachers can help students employ "literacy tools" across the curriculum to foster learning. The authors demonstrate how literacy tools such as narratives, question-asking, spoken-word poetry, drama, writing, digital communication, images, and video encourage critical inquiry in the 5-12 classroom. The book provides many examples and adaptable lessons from diverse classrooms and connects to an active Website where readers can join a growing professional community, share ideas, and get frequent updates: http://literacytooluses.pbworks.com

Teaching English by the Book is about putting great books, wonderful poems and rich texts at the heart of English teaching, transforming children’s attitudes to reading and writing and having a positive impact on learning. It offers a practical approach to teaching a text-based curriculum, full of strategies and ideas that are immediately useable in the classroom. Written by James Clements, teacher, researcher, writer, and creator of shakespeareandmore.com, Teaching English by the Book provides effective ideas for enthusing children about literature, poetry and picturebooks. It offers techniques and activities to teach grammar, punctuation and spelling, provides support and guidance on planning lessons and units for meaningful learning, and shows how to bring texts to life through drama and the use of multimedia and film texts. Teaching English by the Book is for all teachers who aspire to use great books to introduce children to ideas beyond their own experience, encounter concepts that have never occurred to them before, to hear and read beautiful language, and experience what it’s like to lose themselves in a story, developing a genuine love of English that will stay with them forever.

Work with students at all levels to help them read novels Whole Novels is a practical, field-tested guide to implementing a student-centered literature program that promotes critical thinking and literary understanding through the study of novels with middle school students. Rather than using novels simply to teach basic literacy skills and comprehension strategies, Whole Novels approaches literature as art. The book is fully aligned with the Common Core ELA Standards and offers tips for implementing whole novels in various contexts, including suggestions for teachers interested in trying out small steps in their classrooms first. Includes a powerful method for teaching literature, writing, and critical thinking to middle school students Shows how to use the Whole Novels approach in conjunction with other programs Includes video clips of the author using the techniques in her own classroom This resource will help teachers work with students of varying abilities in reading whole novels.

Teaching for Joy and Justice is the much-anticipated sequel to Linda Christensen's bestselling Reading, Writing, and Rising Up. Christensen is recognized as one of the country's finest teachers. Her latest book shows why. Through story upon story, Christensen demonstrates how she draws on students' lives and the world to teach poetry, essay, narrative, and critical literacy skills. Teaching for Joy and Justice reveals what happens when a teacher treats all students as intellectuals, instead of intellectually challenged. Part autobiography, part curriculum guide, part critique of today's numbing standardized mandates, this book sings with hope -- born of Christensen's more than 30 years as a classroom teacher, language arts specialist, and teacher educator. Practical, inspirational, passionate: this is a must-have book for every language arts teacher, whether veteran or novice. In fact, Teaching for Joy and Justice is a must-have book for anyone who wants concrete examples of what it really means to teach for social justice.