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reviews on professional reading material
for teachers of primary students
| 6+1 Trait Writing | Elections | English Language Learners |
| Project Based Learning | Writing Across the Curriculum |
6+1 Trait© Writing
- Culham, R. (2005).
- 6+1 Traits of writing: the complete guide for the primary grades.
New York: Scholastic, Inc.
On a scale of 1 to 5, Ruth Culham scores a 7 (6+1) with her book geared toward the early elementary grades. She thoughtfully breaks down the writing process into seven elements: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. After explaining the steps for assessing each trait, she provides real student examples at each of the different score levels. Tips for teaching and easy-to-follow lesson activities for each of the traits are also included. A selection of Culham’s favorite non-fiction and fiction books for each trait is briefly described to provide easy-to-access tools for teachers. This book is an invaluable resource for primary teachers that can be quickly read and implemented in the classroom.
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Elections
- Baicker, K. (2004).
- The Election Activity Book: Dozens of Activities That Help Kids Learn About Voting, Campaigns, Our Government, Presidents, and More. Scholastic Professional Books.
Involve students in the election process with simple, engaging activities. Students can use mini-books, time-lines, exciting literature, polling activities, and computer involvement to learn how leaders are elected and the importance of voting rights.
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English Language Learners
- Cary, S. (2004).
- Going Graphic: Comics at Work in the Multilingual Classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
This engaging work is a “should read” for teachers of ELL students K-12. The convenient layout of the text makes information on the background/theory behind graphic literature, suggested activities, frequently asked questions, and multiple resources, easy for the busy teacher to access. Follow this link for a thorough review of the book and ordering information.
- Dragan, P.B. (2005).
- A How –To Guide For Teaching English Language Learners in the Primary Classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Imagine being in a classroom where you cannot understand most of the words that are spoken around you. Using her own experience in that situation, author Pat Dragan guides you through ideas and techniques she has found useful in working with English language learners in her classroom. By using short descriptions and real student examples, she shares techniques and lesson details that enhance and creatively stimulate talking, writing and reading. She shows how the use of art, music, and theater can enhance all areas of the curriculum and connect information in a meaningful way. A wealth of templates, reference materials and resources help guide the primary teacher through the school year to develop an appreciation of language in all students.
Also check out Pat Dragan’s new book Kids, Cameras, and the Curriculum (Heinemann, 2008) which focuses on creative ways to use cameras to engage primary students in learning.
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Project Based Learning
- Diffily, D. & Sassman, C. (2002).
- Project-based learning with young
children. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
In Project-Based Learning with Young Children, Diffily and Sassman demonstrate how applied learning in early childhood classrooms can transform individual projects in child-centered classrooms to child-directed projects that are connected to the real world and a real audience. A variety of resources can be used to create products that address cross-curriculum learning and have meaning for the students who are developing them. Suggestions for planning, organizing, implementing and assessing are mixed with classroom activities and comments from kindergarten through second grade teachers throughout the book. Appendixes include project topics, final products, and home-school connections. Though many primary classroom teachers have used different parts of this concept for years, this easy-to-follow guide brings together these pieces nicely.
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Writing Across the Curriculum
- Burns, M. & Sheffield, S.. (2004).
- Math and literature: grades k-1. Canada:
Pearson Education.
- Burns, M. & Sheffield, S. (2004).
- Math and literature: grades 2-3. Canada:
Pearson Education.
These resource books include a great collection of lessons linking math and literature by the use of quality children’s literature and trade books. Some of the trade books they refer to are: A Three Day Hat, Inch by Inch, and Two of Everything.
The lessons are practical, easy and fun. Samples of student’s work are also included. Students will learn to develop different math strategies with the use of writing and drawing to show how they solved their problems. Teachers will appreciate a book that brings enjoyment and excitement to math instruction.
- Hurst, C. O. (1999).
- Open books: literature in the curriculum, kindergarten through
grade 2. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing, Inc.
Using picture books to integrate literature across the curriculum can provide information and pure enjoyment to young students. Hurst’s book is divided into three sections which provide ideas and suggestions on books, authors and use of those books. The “Themes” section provides literature ideas for widely used topics in science, social studies, language arts and math. Themes such as “Bugs”, “Weather” and “The Farm” provide activities and annotated book lists in various genres. The second section focuses on specific books that Hurst found to be “outstanding works of art”. She has developed units of study based on these books with a summarization of the book, suggested activities and a listing of related books for each. The last section focuses on familiar authors/illustrators. These studies provide brief overviews of their books and activities that will inspire teacher and students to look further at these great artists and develop meaningful learning activities for their curriculum.
Hurst, C.O. (1999). Open books: Literature in the curriculum,
kindergarten through grade 2 Columbus: LInworth Publishing, Inc.
- Morse, V. & Nottage, C. (2003).
- Research in the real classroom: the
independent investigation method for primary students. Gainesville, Fla.: Maupin
Publishing House.
The development of research and critical thinking skills are key components for lifelong learning. Primary students need models and lessons that are intriguing and motivating for learning information-gathering techniques. This book, the first in a series, provides stepping stones through the Independent Investigator Model. Activity ideas for young researchers include: searching and organizing information, presenting information to others and evaluating the process. Included resources (reproducible materials and thematic models) are adaptable for use by classroom teachers and media specialists.
- Writing Across the Curriculum in the Arts
- Students can reach higher achievement across the curriculum with the help of nonfiction writing, a use of real-life experiences, as well as feedback and revision about their writing. These two books provide non-fiction writing prompts that are ready to use immediately in the arts’ curriculum areas. The prompts come with rubrics / scoring guides which can be modified to address school, district or state standards.
Ruthven, R. & Whited, A. (2005). Nonfiction writing prompts for music: k-6
elementary. Englewood, CO: Advanced Learning Press.
Whited, A. (2005). Nonfiction writing prompts for art: k-6 elementary. Englewood,
CO: Advanced Learning Press.
- Writing across the Curriculum: Social Studies Journals
- Educators’ Publishing Service
visit this now...
Educators’ Publishing Service provides a series of personal writing journals for students in 2nd through 5th grades. The journals in the social studies series cover topics such as ‘My Community’, ‘Our State’ and ‘The USA.’ They offer students areas to compile word banks, organize ideas, take notes and complete writings and illustrations. The booklets guide students through the writing process providing some sub-topics in each area and suggested types of writing the students can use. Areas for personalization are also available in the journals. A teacher’s guide, which offers suggested activities for the journals’ use in the classroom accompanies each topic set of journals. After students have completed their writing development exercises, teachers may use the journals for student review and assessment.
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