Middle School Readers

by Allison, Nancy; Robb, Laura

• ISBN13: 9780325028149
• ISBN10: 0325028141
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-09-02
• Publisher: HEINEMANN

Summary

Offereing students a Choice of what to read is research-sound practice and in this book Nancy offers her Classroom-tested wisdom on how to make choice manageable. With Nancy's unique deskside conferences students develop their independent reading strategies and learn to select just-right books, while you as the teacher manage multiple needs and keep everyone focused. You'll find example of conference with reluctant readers, English learns, developing and gifted readers-conferences that improve student motivation and ability.

Author Biography

Nancy Allison began her work with adolescents 25 years ago. For most of that time in Title I schools in Houston Where she has worked extensively with children of Poverty, minority students, and English learners. As a Literacy Coach she has shared her success with other teachers in the Houston area for the past 16 years.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vi
Acknowledgments	p. viii
The Teacher on the Sidelines of Independent Reading	p. 1
A Call to Change	p. 2
Parting Ways with the Whole-Class Novel	p. 3
Choice: A Critical Factor in Engagement	p. 5
Texts That Spur Growth	p. 6
How Not to Squander Independent Reading Time	p. 6
Handing Over Responsibility to Students	p. 7
Dovetailing Independent Reading in the Balanced Literacy Classroom	p. 8
The Difference a Change Can Make	p. 11
Questions for Reflection	p. 12
Planning for Engagement: Coloring and Contouring Students' Expectations	p. 13
Students' Prior Experiences	p. 14
Shaping Students' Concept of Reader	p. 15
Do All Readers Lug Heavy Tote Bags? Modeling the Behavior of a Reader	p. 15
Windows on Their World: Reading Autobiographies	p. 17
Inviting Students into the Reader's World	p. 20
Book Talks: Plot Teaser Moments That Motivate	p. 20
Daily Exchanges: Sustaining Engagement, Confirming Membership	p. 22
Engaging Students Through Small-Group Sharing	p. 23
The Difference Engagement Can Make	p. 25
Questions for Reflection	p. 26
Clever Matchmaking Between Students and Books	p. 27
Building a Robust Classroom Library	p. 28
Making the Classroom Library Accessible	p. 30
Planning for Student Choice	p. 35
Creating Excitement About Fiction	p. 36
Launch a Shopping Spree for a Perfect Match	p. 38
Book Talking Nonfiction	p. 42
Book Shopping Record Sheets: Early in the Year Assessment Tools	p. 44
The Benefit of Time Well Spent	p. 49
Making Good Choices in the Library	p. 49
Teaching a Readers Expectations for Books	p. 50
Easing the Hunt for Books	p. 51
Questions for Reflection	p. 55
Direct Instruction and Routines in the Independent Reading Classroom	p. 57
Teaching Through Minilessotis	p. 58
Breaking Down a Complex Task: Three Types of Knowledge	p. 58
Anchoring the Lesson in Common Texts	p. 59
Using Anchor Charts to Hold Shared Thinking	p. 60
Anchor Charts in Action: Lesson on Inferences	p. 61
Reading Responses That Link Instruction and Practice	p. 64
Teaching the Routine of Supported independent Reading Time	p. 65
The Difference Seamless Instruction Can Make	p. 67
Questions for Reflection	p. 67
Teaching Through Deskside Conferences	p. 69
Deskside Conferences as Vehicles for Teaching	p. 70
The Purpose and Structure of a Conference	p. 71
Preparing for the Conference	p. 72
Initiating the Conference	p. 73
Focusing the Conference	p. 74
Checking for Understanding	p. 76
Keeping a Record of Deskside Conferences	p. 76
The Difference a Conference Can Make	p. 80
Questions for Reflection	p. 82
Capturing the Attention of Our Disengaged Readers	p. 83
Dealing with ôBoringö Texts: The Abandonment Conference	p. 84
Understanding What Keeps Readers Reading	p. 86
Dealing with Distractions	p. 88
Assessing the Comprehension of Disengaged Students	p. 93
Using Questions to Engage Readers	p. 96
Questioning the Author's Intent	p. 100
Questions as a Response to Engage Readers	p. 101
A Conference Focused on Questioning	p. 102
Questions for Reflection	p. 106
Differentiating Instruction Through Deskside Conferences	p. 107
Today's Reality	p. 108
Differentiating Instruction for Independent Readers	p. 109
Delayed Readers	p. 110
On-Level Readers	p. 115
Gifted Readers	p. 119
The Rewards of Supporting Independent Readers	p. 121
Questions for Reflection	p. 123
Teaching Comprehension in Fiction Texts	p. 124
Redirecting Growing Readers	p. 125
Story Structure: The Basis of Questions About Fiction	p. 127
Detecting Point of View	p. 137
Supporting Readers of Fiction	p. 141
Questions for Reflection	p. 142
Teaching Comprehension in Nonfiction Texts	p. 143
Bridging to Informational Texts	p. 144
Understanding the Purpose of Nonfiction Texts	p. 145
The Power of Pictures	p. 146
Reading Informational Texts	p. 147
Nonfiction Conferences	p. 148
The True Meaning of K-W-L	p. 149
Expecting New Learning	p. 151
Deepening Knowledge: The Basis of Questions About Nonfiction	p. 152
Broadening the Vision of Reading	p. 153
Questions for Reflection	p. 153
Assessing Independent Readers	p. 154
Reading Response	p. 155
Assessing Reading Responses	p. 158
Reading Log	p. 161
Assessing Reading Logs	p. 163
Final Thoughts: The Power of Change	p. 164
Study Guide	p. 165
References	p. 177
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