Two teacher-bloggers found inspiration this week from the second edition of Beyond Leveled Books by Franki Sibberson, Karen Szymusiak, and Lisa Koch.
“After reading the foreword, the list of mini lessons, and the first chapter I knew that I had much to gain from this book,” writes Sarah Amick at Amick’s Articles in her review of Beyond Leveled Books. The book “draws you in during the first chapter as they persuade you to move away from the bookroom, away from the prepublished books from your basal, and to really evaluate the books you are placing in the hands of your children,” Sarah continues.
Stacey Shubitz at Two Writing Teachers attended a session by the authors of Beyond Leveled Books during last week’s NCTE. Franki Sibberson and Karen Szymusiak were joined by Cris Tovani (I Read It, but I Don’t Get It and Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?) and Patrick Allen (Put Thinking to the Test) to discuss authentic assessment in reading workshop. Stacey writes that she will be able to connect what she learned to her writing workshop and shares how she will change her lesson charts to empower her students as writers. “I now think there’s a sense of agency we can create in our young writers by using a statement in the first-person as opposed to the third person,” she writes and gives the example of her upcoming persuasive letter writing unit of study chart to demonstrate the power of and importance of the language used in the classroom.
“Ann Marie is all about the “whys” of her teaching,” Franki writes. ”She understands the theory behind all that she does and her book helps us think through our own writing workshops. She also spends a lot of time talking about the issues she has with mandated curriculum and the importance of workshop. But she also gives us some nuts and bolts. She shows us her yearlong plan and then goes into depth with each unit of study—sharing book titles and planning that goes into each unit.”
Read the entire review here. And also be sure to check out Franki’s new book, the second edition of Beyond Leveled Books.
Angela Maiers, educational consultant, talked with Debbie Miller on her blog recently about the transition from the classroom into the consulting world, lesson plan designs, and the importance for teachers to develop a sense of agency in their classrooms.
Several fellow bloggers commented about Debbie’s new book, Teaching with Intention. After reading the book, Ms. Lux asked herself what her ideal classroom would look like. Ms. Teacher browsed the book for strategies she can implement in her own classroom. Marisa over at Living the Life of A Reader and Writer wishes she had read the book as a beginner teacher. And finally Dayle, at Timmons Times found that clearing the clutter in a classroom can help to clear the mind as well.
“I spent several hours poring over the format of Beyond Leveled Books (Second Edition). The introduction to this book will knock your socks off. It is titled, “My Son Clark Kent”, by Lisa Koch (also a contributing author for the second edition of Beyond Leveled Books)…. I believe this piece about Koch’s son, Alec, is a must read for every reading teacher in the world!! Just as important, it is the perfect introduction for the theme of this book — let’s look at more than just leveled books when we’re trying to match a reader with a book. Let’s get to know our readers as more than just a level number or letter.”
Debbie Miller’s new book, Teaching with Intention, reminded Dayle Timmons, a primary inclusion teacher in Florida and 2004 Florida Teacher of the Year, to “trust myself – to not lose sight of my intentions while I am trying to fit everything in. She reminds me to teach deeply and well and to ‘nix the juggling act.’ This book was like having a cup a coffee with my favorite teacher friend and leaving our conversation with a smile on my face!”
Would you like to know where the word “graphica” comes from?
Frank Sibberson and Mary Lee Hahn, Stenhouse authors and popular bloggers at A Year of Reading, recently interviewed Terry Thompson, author of Adventures in Graphica. Find out about the origins of “graphica,” whether Terry himself reads graphic novels, and get suggestions for becoming familiar and comfortable with this genre.