Research shows that literacy--the ability to listen, view, speak, read, and write - begins developing long before children enter elementary school. This book helps early childhood educators nurture that development. It begins with an argument for offering children literacy-rich activities and creating an environment for carrying out those activities. From there, it focuses on reading aloud, playing with words, and designing writing centers, book nooks, dramatic play areas, and other aspects of instruction. Loaded with photographs, student work, and straight talk about kids and learning, Literacy and the Youngest Learner is destined to become a classic.

This pioneering book is now in a revised and expanded second edition featuring the latest neuroscientific knowledge and instructional strategies. Kelly B. Cartwright provides a teacher-friendly explanation of executive skills--such as planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control--and their role in reading comprehension. Detailed examples illustrate how each skill is deployed by strong comprehenders and ways to tailor instruction for students who are struggling. The companion website features reproducible planning and assessment forms from the book as well as supplemental card sorts to teach and assess cognitive flexibility, all ready to download and print in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Updated throughout with advances in theory, research, and instruction. *Chapter on word recognition, with particular attention to dyslexia. *Information on the development of the brain's reading network. *Expanded emphasis on oral language comprehension. *Appendix of intervention studies; online-only supplement with card sorts to teach and assess cognitive flexibility.

Literacy Learning Begins at Birth . . . . . . and continues throughout our lives! Birth to age 5 is a critical period in building the foundation for later success in reading and writing. Educators play a vital role in nurturing young children's early language and literacy knowledge and skills. However, the specific practices that support literacy development in early childhood are often different than those used with older children. From some of the foremost early literacy development experts in the field comes this practical resource that is a must-have for all educators of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Using eight key practices-Knowing, Showing, Designing, Including, Engaging, Explaining, Observing, and Responding-as the framework, the authors discuss how educators can support five important areas of young children's early literacy development: Language and knowledge Print concepts Sounds and letters Writing Text comprehension A range of features highlights information about these areas and practices, including the latest research findings, recommended resources, tips for integrating technology into play and learning, and more. With this book, explore how to create effective, appropriate, and fun learning opportunities for our littlest literacy learners.

Many elementary students today have a reading and speaking vocabulary far below what is expected and necessary for their grade level. "For the Love of Words" offers teachers a practical and systematic instructional framework for helping students overcome "the vocabulary gap" so they can succeed academically, especially in reading comprehension. Unlike conventional "skill and drill" instruction, this approach helps students understand why a strong vocabulary is so critical for their success in reading and writing and develop strategies for learning new words based on the best of current research.

This pioneering book is now in a revised and expanded second edition featuring the latest neuroscientific knowledge and instructional strategies. Kelly B. Cartwright provides a teacher-friendly explanation of executive skills--such as planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control--and their role in reading comprehension. Detailed examples illustrate how each skill is deployed by strong comprehenders and ways to tailor instruction for students who are struggling. The companion website features reproducible planning and assessment forms from the book as well as supplemental card sorts to teach and assess cognitive flexibility, all ready to download and print in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Updated throughout with advances in theory, research, and instruction. *Chapter on word recognition, with particular attention to dyslexia. *Information on the development of the brain's reading network. *Expanded emphasis on oral language comprehension. *Appendix of intervention studies; online-only supplement with card sorts to teach and assess cognitive flexibility.

Different research methods can yield unique insights into literacy learning and teaching--and, used synergistically, can work together to move the field forward. Now revised and updated with 50% new material, this definitive text presents widely used methods and provides students and researchers with a clear understanding of when, how, and why they are applied. Leading authorities describe established and emerging methodologies, review the types of questions they are suited to address, and identify standards for quality. Key issues in research design are accessibly discussed. Each chapter offers one or more exemplars of high-quality published studies to illustrate the approach in action. The benefits of using multiple types of methods to more fully investigate a given question or problem are emphasized throughout. New to This Edition *Chapter on a vital new topic: critical race methodologies. *New chapters on core topics: design-based research, causal effects, ethnographic case studies, correlational designs, discourse analysis, instrument development, and verbal protocols. *Up-to-date coverage of online research methods, neuroimaging, and other rapidly evolving methodologies. *Many of the exemplary studies are new.

Different research methods can yield unique insights into literacy learning and teaching--and, used synergistically, can work together to move the field forward. Now revised and updated with 50% new material, this definitive text presents widely used methods and provides students and researchers with a clear understanding of when, how, and why they are applied. Leading authorities describe established and emerging methodologies, review the types of questions they are suited to address, and identify standards for quality. Key issues in research design are accessibly discussed. Each chapter offers one or more exemplars of high-quality published studies to illustrate the approach in action. The benefits of using multiple types of methods to more fully investigate a given question or problem are emphasized throughout. New to This Edition *Chapter on a vital new topic: critical race methodologies. *New chapters on core topics: design-based research, causal effects, ethnographic case studies, correlational designs, discourse analysis, instrument development, and verbal protocols. *Up-to-date coverage of online research methods, neuroimaging, and other rapidly evolving methodologies. *Many of the exemplary studies are new.

This highly readable handbook synthesizes the best research on K-8 literacy instruction and distills key implications for classroom practice. Noted contributors provide clear recommendations for creating effective, motivating classroom environments; teaching core components of literacy; integrating literacy with content-area instruction; and building a schoolwide literacy program that helps all students succeed. Helpful figures, tables, resource lists, reflection questions, and concrete examples from real classrooms make the book an ideal tool for teacher training and professional development. Numerous reproducible worksheets and checklists can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

"We need to evaluate how we spend time in our classroom by asking whether it is proportional to how valuable the activity is in fostering students' independence and growth." -Elizabeth Brinkerhoff and Alysia Roehrig

Time is precious, and every teacher needs more. No More Sharpening Pencils During Work Time and Other Time Wasters shows you where to find it as well as research-based ways to align every classroom minute you can with the goals you have for learners.

The most important learning in any classroom occurs when students actively engage in work that matters, so clearing away anything that siphons off learning time is crucial. Elizabeth Brinkerhoff and Alysia Roehrig provide tools for assessing your classroom time, a summary of pertinent research, and suggestions for planning and teaching that help make every minute count. Their strategies will help you create and leverage instructional opportunities by: finding new efficiencies in your classroom management improving alignment between instruction and learning objectives increasing the time students spend in higher-level thinking.

"If we want students to become adults who spend their time in purposeful, constructive ways," write Elizabeth and Alysia, "we need to give them opportunities to spend their time purposefully and take responsibility for how their time is spent." Give them the time to become independent with No More Sharpening Pencils During Work Time and Other Time Wasters. Start reading now