Written with a focus on the English Language Arts Common Core Standards, this book provides a complete plan for developing a literacy program that focuses on boys pre-K through grade 12. Despite the fact that reading and literacy among boys has been an area of concern for years, this issue remains unresolved today. Additionally, the emphasis and focus have changed due to the implementation of the English Language Arts Common Core Standards. How can educators best encourage male students to read, and what new technologies and techniques can serve this objective? The Common Core Approach to Building Literacy in Boys is an essential resource and reference for teachers, librarians, and parents seeking to encourage reading in boys from preschool to 12th grade. Providing a wide array of useful, up-to-date information that emphasizes the English Language Arts Common Core Standards, the bibliographies and descriptions of effective strategies in this book will enable you to boost reading interest and performance in boys. The chapters cover 16 different topics of interest to boys, all accompanied by a complete bibliography for each subject area, discussion questions, writing connections, and annotated new and classic nonfiction titles. Information on specific magazines, annotated professional titles, books made into film, websites, and apps that will help you get boys interested in reading is also included. Examines and evaluates the most recent research about boys and nonfiction reading Addresses the intersections of Common Core Standards and literacy for boys Provides annotated bibliographies of recommended books as well as lists of apps and other software for boys Offers educators effective strategies to promote reading with boys and advice for parents in developing a home reading plan for their sons

A bestselling author delivers the "big picture" on reading instruction today. The author of the bestselling Boys and Literacy offers an overview of current thought on the teaching of reading. Differentiating Reading Instruction through Children's Literature includes data on the current status of reading instruction, models and methods, best practices, and brain research. The focus here on differentiation of instruction (what it is general and what is specific to reading) will be valuable to school librarians in their effort to understand and support reading instruction in their schools. The book includes lesson ideas, annotations, kids' book titles, professional articles, books, and resources and author information to aide in understanding the topic. Lessons are built with a standard template format featuring: use with groups, reading levels, content area reading and writing connections, storyline, comprehension skills, and differentiation ideas. Applicable in grades K-8 Lesson ideas Annotations Children's book title recommendations Professional articles

Understanding Diversity Through Novels and Picture Books goes beyond the usual multicultural lists and looks at the wide expanse of the diversity of cultures and lifestyles impacting children's lives in America today and identifies good books to have in library collections for them to read. Included are annotated titles with discussion questions from all of the identified cultures and subcultures and annotated teacher/librarian resources, print- and Web-based, as well as an excellent list of topical annotated journal articles. Grades 4-8. Knowles and Smith examine current research on diversity and multiculturalism. They move away from the traditional aspects of multicultural education (food, fashion, folktales, festivals, and famous people) to a focus on novels and pictures books, and realistic fiction to show children with diversity issues that there are others in similar positions. The issue of authenticity (whether the author of the book should be of that culture or merely familiar with the culture) is discussed. Topics include: Ethnicities (Asian, Latino/Hispanic, African/Black, Native American, White/European, Bi/Multiracial), Exceptionalities, Ageism, Socioeconomic Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Religion. The authors provide this valuable resource for libraries, schools, and communities that wish to utilize literature to help diverse students walk in the shoes of others and to match books to children and young adults to heighten understanding and acceptance. Grades 4-8.

This book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith (Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules!, etc.) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas for character education at all grade levels. It consists of 12 chapters-one on each virtue: empathy, respect, courage, humor, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. Each chapter has a listing of related virtues, a definition, several useful famous quotes, listings of people and organizations who have demonstrated the virtue, related topics for further curricular exploration and discussion questions. There is also a complete listing of annotated titles divided into five sections: picture books, primary (gr. 1-3), intermediate (gr. 3-5), middle school (gr. 5-8) and young adult (gr. 8-12). This book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith (Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules!, etc.) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas at all grade levels. It consists of 12 chapters-one on each virtue: empathy, respect, courage, humor, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. Each chapter has a listing of related virtues, a definition, several useful famous quotes, listings of people and organizations who have demonstrated the virtue, related topics for further curricular exploration and discussion questions. There is also a complete listing of annotated titles divided into five sections: picture books, primary (gr. 1-3), intermediate (gr. 3-5), middle school (gr. 5-8) and young adult (gr. 8-12). In addition, Knowles and Smith offer lists of other good professional books and Web sites to consult in building your school's character education program. A unique feature of this book is a section in each chapter called, in action in which the authors offer ideas to share with students such as Empathy in action: Be polite in the cafeteria, Be kind and helpful to those with mental and physical challenges, Share your supplies with those who have none. Grades K-12.

Book clubs, literature circles, and reading groups are great ways to promote literacy and books to young readers. This new guide provides everything you need to run a dynamic, no-fuss book discussion group with elementary and middle school students. Featuring 15 titles of diverse genres, it offers discussion topics and activity ideas for some of the best new reads for kids, including Graham Salisbury's Lord of the Deep, Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden, and Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn Dixie. Many of the activities tie into the curriculum. Grades 4-8. In addition to detailed guidelines for launching a successful book club, the authors present helpful information for each featured title: An introduction A plot summary Information about the author Discussion questions Content area connections Annotated titles related to the theme Annotated titles by the author Teacher resources Web sites related to the theme Web sites about the author Publisher contact information Brought to you by the authors of the highly acclaimed Reading Rules! Motivating Teens to Read, this guide is an outstanding resource for starting and running a stellar literary discussion group--whether it's in a school, public library, or community center.

Here are more great topics and sample book club sessions to help you start a book club and keep it going! Chapters in this volume cover humor, families, social issues, folklore and mythology, sports, magazines, picture books as art, censorship, the Internet, middle school readers, gender bias, booktalks, and the arts. For each genre, the authors offer a general overview, discussion questions, a bibliography, resources for further reading, and appropriate Web sites. If you want to promote literacy and involve parents in the reading program, you'll love this book and its companion, The Reading Connection.

Establishing a book club is a great way to involve parents in promoting literacy to young readers. This book shows you how to start a book club in your school or community, and it provides bibliographies of literature resources for children. Suggested topics and sample book club sessions help you get started, and an extensive bibliography, arranged by genre, guides teachers, parents, and students in selecting reading material. Chapters cover read-alouds, picture books, horror stories, multicultural literature, poetry, science fiction, nonfiction and reference, bibliotherapy and problem novels, award-winning books, biographies, and books in a series. For each genre the authors offer a general overview, suggest discussion questions, provide a bibliography, and list resources for further reading. Helpful Internet addresses and additional topics are included in the concluding chapter.

You've created a STEAM program in your library, but how do you work literacy into the curriculum? With this collection of resource recommendations, direction for program development, and activities, you'll have students reading proficiently in no time. Many schools and libraries are implementing STEAM programs in the school library makerspace to promote problem solving by allowing students to create their own solutions to a problem through trial and error. In order to enhance literacy development in the STEAM program, however, they need resources for integrating literature into the curriculum. In this collection of resources for doing just that, veteran education professionals and practiced coauthors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith bring readers over eight hundred recommended and annotated books and web resources, selected based on research on successfully integrating STEAM and literacy programs and organized by the five STEAM areas. Titles are complemented by discussion questions and problem-solving activities that will aid educators in both adding and using the best literature to their STEAM programs for encouraging learning. In addition to promoting literacy, these resources will help to develop creativity, lateral thinking skills, and confidence in students. Presents complementary annotated books and discussion questions to engage students in STEAM topics Offers topical project and problem-solving activity ideas for students in the library makerspace Provides research and additional resources for teachers and librarians to use in implementing successful STEAM programs

Provides strategies for making changes in the classroom and home that will help improve the literacy of boys Literacy and boys is currently a hot issue in education and the media. This new book explores the facts and research on the topic and furnishes annotations of current, relevant journal and magazine articles. It gives strategies for making changes in the classroom and the home to help improve the literacy of boys and includes suggestions based on current brain research. Chapters focusing on genres of particular interest to boys (horror, adventure, science fiction, war, fantasy, mysteries, etc) include information, annotated journal articles, general discussion questions, at least ten book annotations, and a list of additional titles for each genre. All titles will also include a reading level and one chapter will feature graphic novels. Helpful appendices will furnish information about magazines and authors of particular interest to boys. Addresses a current issue of concern in education and the media Includes suggestions for materials that will encourage boys to read

Filled with ideas, practical tips, useful statistics and other helpful data on teen reading, this book details numerous methods for getting teens to read, such as reading workshops, literature circles, book clubs, and booktalks. An overview of YA literature and annotated bibliographies of both teen and professional reads further assists in creating a literacy game plan at your school. Grades 6-8.