Forty classroom-tested, classroom-ready literature-based strategies for teaching in the K–8 content areas

Grounded in theory and best-practices research, this practical text provides teachers with 40 strategies for using fiction and non-fiction trade books to teach in five key content areas: language arts and reading, social studies, mathematics, science, and the arts. Each strategy provides everything a teacher needs to get started: a classroom example that models the strategy, a research-based rationale, relevant content standards, suggested books, reader-response questions and prompts, assessment ideas, examples of how to adapt the strategy for different grade levels (K–2, 3–5, and 6–8), and ideas for differentiating instruction for English language learners and struggling students. Throughout the book, student work samples and classroom vignettes bring the content to life.

Key Features:

• Extensive book lists of both classic and contemporary children's literature are tailored for different grade levels and English language learners.
• A wealth of teaching tools include whole class and small group discussions and activities, ideas for student independent learning, graphic organizers, charts, frames, templates, sentence starters, tips for planning and mapping story dramatizations, and data sheets for teachers and students.
• Use of technology is integrated throughout the book and includes teaching ideas for using web sites, software programs, Internet research, online discussion boards, interactive games, YouTube, digital photography, Smart Boards, WebQuests, and virtual field trips on the World Wide Web.
• A wide range of assessment tools are covered, including rubrics, checklists, self- and peer-editing and assessment forms, student journals and logs, conference sheets, and record-keeping forms.
• Struggling Students feature included in each strategy provides teachers with ways to differentiate instruction for struggling readers and writers, including accommodations for teacher modeling strategies, writing frames and templates for students, cooperative learning activities, and assessment.