Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Informational texts have become integral to current curriculum standards. To ensure success in todays ever-changing workplace, students must be taught to be critical readers. In a very user-friendly format, the authors provide practical strategies to help students choose, read, and evaluate a variety of informational texts, including Web-based texts. This is a 'must-have' resource for teachers at all grade levels."--Cheryl L. Shafer, MSEd, curriculum specialist, Katy Independent School District, Katy, Texas
Review
"Each of the strategies in this practical guide is clearly explained and paired with a model of practice in action. As I worked through Moss and Loh's suggestions, I often found myself nodding in agreement. The strategies are not only appropriate, they are also interesting and easy to apply in any classroom setting. Teachers in content areas like science and social studies who aren't trained as reading teachers will be able to pick up this book and quickly improve their practices. Even as an accomplished reading teacher, I added several new strategies to my own bag of professional tricks in just a few short days."--Bill Ferriter, sixth-grade teacher, Salem Middle School, Wake County Public School System, North Carolina
"What a great resource for teachers at all levels! The strategies are presented in a way that helps the teacher focus on the purpose for teaching and the goal for student learning. Teachers can use these research-based strategies alongside any curriculum in order to guide students through many different types of informational texts. I will recommend this book to my colleagues and teacher candidates."--Julie Barkley, MA, reading specialist/interventionist, St. Cloud School District, Minnesota
"One of the most practical resources I have come across for teachers who want to use informational texts in the classroom. The strategies work because the authors help teachers understand the 'what,' 'when,' 'how,' and 'why' of strategy use in today's multidimensional classrooms. That is why this book will make a decided difference in the professional lives of teachers. Moss and Loh have 'hit one out of the park' with this book."--Richard T. Vacca, PhD, Professor Emeritus, School of Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies, Kent State University "This excellent resource can be utilized by all teachers, from beginners to veterans. The 'what,' 'why,' and 'how' of each strategy, and the materials needed, are concisely presented in a straightforward format. With the ever-growing focus on informational texts and critical literacy, preservice teachers will benefit from being exposed to this book in any childrens literature class; practicing teachers will also find it an invaluable asset. All teachers know that high-quality lessons require time and planning. The vast range of activities provided in this book help teachers engage students in rich, memorable lessons without having to start from scratch."--Stephen Cline, MA, first-grade teacher, Stella Maris Academy, La Jolla, California "Informational texts have become integral to current curriculum standards. To ensure success in todays ever-changing workplace, students must be taught to be critical readers. In a very user-friendly format, the authors provide practical strategies to help students choose, read, and evaluate a variety of informational texts, including Web-based texts. This is a 'must-have' resource for teachers at all grade levels."--Cheryl L. Shafer, MSEd, curriculum specialist, Katy Independent School District, Katy, Texas
Synopsis
This practical guide presents inspiring, research-based activities for teaching students in grades K-12 how to read and think critically about informational texts. With five essential types of strategies, seasoned and preservice teachers learn ways to help students select engaging, challenging reading materials; develop their knowledge of history, science, and other content areas; master vocabulary that aids understanding; build essential comprehension skills across the curriculum; and write effectively about texts they have read. Each of the 35 strategies features a helpful reproducible worksheet in a large-size format. The teacher-friendly appendix lists recommended books, magazines, and websites for each grade level.
About the Author
Barbara Moss, PhD, is Professor of Literacy Education in the Department of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. She has taught English and language arts in elementary, middle, and high school settings, and has worked as a reading supervisor. In addition to her role as a university professor, she presently works as a literacy coach at an urban high school in San Diego. Dr. Moss’s research focuses on issues surrounding the teaching of informational texts at the elementary and secondary levels. She regularly presents at professional conferences at the local, state, national, and international levels, and has published numerous journal articles, columns, book chapters, and books. Virginia S. Loh, EdD, is a part-time faculty member at San Diego State University, Director and Educational Consultant for Wells Academics, Ghosteditor/Entrepreneur of In the Margins, and a former K-8 schoolteacher. Her doctoral dissertation, for which she received a Beiter Research Grant Award from the Children’s Literature Association, was a qualitative study on the cultural authenticity of Asian American children’s literature. She has published peer-reviewed articles and conducted presentations on this topic. Dr. Loh has worked with diverse student populations and has a strong knowledge of instructional methods, assessments, and educational research and theories. She has her Multiple Subject and Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development teaching credentials. Dr. Loh is committed to teacher excellence, educational policymaking, and student achievement, and she is actively involved in community boards and organizations.
Table of Contents
I. Getting Started Strategies1. Selecting Informational Texts2. Informational Text Interest Survey3. Reading Informational Texts Aloud4. Shared Reading with Informational Texts and Text Feature SearchII. Building Background Strategies5. Anticipation Guide6. KWHL7. I See . . . I Wonder . . . I Know . . .8. Table of Contents Prediction9. Imagine, Elaborate, Predict, and ConfirmIII. Vocabulary Strategies10. Word Map11. List–Group–Label12. Word Sort13. Concept Circles14. Semantic Feature Analysis15. Possible SentencesIV. Comprehension Strategies16. Three-Minute Pause17. Sticky Notes Bookmark18. 4–3–2–1 Discussion Guide19. Four-Box Comment Card20. Discussion Web21. Data Chart22. Study Guide23. Semantic Map24. Series of Events Chart25. Venn Diagram26. Cause–Effect Map27. Problem–Solution OutlineV. Writing Strategies28. I Remember29. Written Retelling30. Readers’ Theatre31. Two-Column Journal32. Learning Log33. Paragraph Writing Frame34. I Used to Think . . . But Now I Know . . .35. Summary WritingAppendix: Recommended Materials