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Reading Reminders features Jim Burke's 100 best techniques for teaching reading, complete with tools and techniques on how to implement them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Good for college students?
I found that this book is a general introduction to what a reading teacher does.It is very inclusive, but since I already had the general background, I didn't find that suggestions like, discuss a character's motivation, to be particularly helpful.I was looking for a springboard to lesson plans.I would rather have had a skinny book with just a fewspecific workable ideas I could have brought into my classroom.In other words, this book covers a lot of ground, but without much depth.I am giving it two stars because I think it would be helpful for a college student who may need to demonstrate knowledge of general teaching techniques.

Superior Organization
I've been using Reading Reminders all summer to plan my sophomore reading class strategies next year.I love the organization of this book. Links to related sections are easy to find. Burke gives wonderful examples of so many worthwhile lesson ideas, like dense questioning, making connections, and repeated reading. There are dozens more. I can hardly wait to give my students the reading survey and to run off all the graphic organizers in the appendix!

As a 16-year teacher, I am often disapointed by workshops on reading that are really aimed at the elementary grades and "retrofitted" for high schoolers.This book is a high school teacher's dream.

Superlative
As a 26 year veteran of the high school English classroom, I am thrilled with Jim Burke's latest book, Reading Reminders.It has come at a perfect time as well since, like many schools in our state, we have adopted a reading goal as part of our school improvement plan.Not one of the teachers in my department has a reading endorsement or any idea of how to teach reading.So this book has been incredibly helpful to us all (as well as to colleagues in other departments).It is so practical, so well-researched and thought out!It also reminds me of some of the best practice I engaged in when I started teaching but have somehow forgotten over the years.I also appreciate how easy it is to use - you can start implementing the strategies immediately although I think it is most effective to read it through beforehand to appreciate how beautifully it aligns with what is overall best practice in teaching English.Having done a great deal of research lately on this subject, I have not found any materials to equal this book.

(I also give his English Teacher's Companion to all of our new English teachers.They invariably rave about it.)

Want instant results from your students?
Without a doubt, this book (and anything else by Mr. Burke) is a must have for any teacher of Reading or English.How Mr. Burke finds the time to put together such wonderful resources is beyond this mere mortal of an English teacher, but I would be lost without Reading Reminders.I literally put some of the strategies to work the day after I bought the book.Several of my collegues rushed out and bought it after seeing the results I was getting.If you have struggling readers, this book will breathe new life into them--and you!

10 Star home run
The books description "Do you have a minute? That's how quickly this book will help you improve your students' reading skills. Designed to be read on the run and make every minute count in your classroom, Reading Reminders features Jim Burke's one hundred best techniques for teaching reading, complete with tools and tips on how to implement them. " is a start.

What this book does is teach the facilitator be they public, private or even homeschooling how to get a students attention as well as how to inspire the student to do more than simply read words.I especially like his recommendation on silent reading and how to orally share what one has read and what the author has attempted to convey.This is really important since many students see reading as a chore and end up buying abbreviated books that skim the book and little else.I believe the book can be a valuable tool for parents as well, and that the student whose teacher has read this book, will become a student who also reads quality books for pleasure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great application, outdated technology
I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to incorporating the ideas into my lesson plans.However, the technology described in the book is outdated.This book would probably hold increased revelance in today's teaching society if it was updated to match current technology/media devices.It is an easy read and the revelance of the book although slightly outdated is still useful with adaptations.Reading in the Dark: Using Film As a Tool in the English Classroom

Useful
Although I find the films used in this text somewhat distant from our younger generations, the suggested activities for each film, developing comprehension strategies, are quite useful for the classroom. Each example provided by the author shows how useful and effective films can be to promote comprehension in our students, while using more motivating material. More importantly, the text is meant to attack the insidious use of movies in the classroom. A teacher may choose a film clip lasting a few minutes instead of having to show them the entire film. Also, Golden will explain a more effective way of using an entire film, which is to break down the film in several days accompanied by some post viewing activities. I highly recommend this book.

A good tool for teaching critical viewing and film-as-text
Golden's book is an excellent starter manual for teachers who want to incorporate media literacy into their curriculum. The great thing is he goes beyond teaching film technique, using film as an aid to teaching literary technique. I had been teaching critical viewing and film-as-text to my high-school freshmen for several years already; Golden's book helped me put together a more cohesive unit and then more seamlessly expand film study into text study.I particularly found his storyboarding activity useful. Studies show that many struggling readers cannot visualize as they read and that is why reading is "boring" to them; this activity is good for encouraging visualization of text. They also have to justify why they set up the shot the way they did, which is a higher-order thinking skill because it demonstrates genuine understanding of the written work they are storyboarding. Published by the National Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts, the book contains ideas useful for elementary through high school aged students. I gave the book five stars even though I had some better (in my opinion) and more varied choices for film clips to show in class to demonstrate certain techniques.The book's value is its usefulness to teaching film as text, not as work of film criticism.

Golden and Film
Many people perceive television as the enemy of reading and writing.In his book, John Golden defies what other teachers deem the traditional methods of teaching by bringing films into the classroom.Elizabeth and Apocalypse Now are just some examples of how to inspire students to look for imagery and symbolism in film and then to apply it to literature.

This book is very instructive and extremely interesting. It is definitely the best I've read. Teachers of all grade levels should read this book to, perhaps, interest their students in the literary arts.It's great for the move into the age of technology.

Golden and Film
Many people perceive television as the enemy of reading and writing.In his book, John Golden defies what other teachers deem the traditional methods of teaching by bringing films into the classroom.Elizabeth and Apocalypse Now are just some examples of how to inspire students to look for imagery and symbolism in film and then to apply it to literature.

This book is very instructive and extremely interesting. It is definitely the best I've read. Teachers of all grade levels should read this book to, perhaps, interest their students in the literary arts.It's great for the move into the age of technology. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Life Saver!
If you are studying for the Praxis Reading Specialist test, this will help you pass it.It includes all of the items that you need to know for the test. ... Read more

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Students who once refused to write out of frustration now eagerly begin each writing assignment making quick sketches and jotting keywords on a storyboard. They then use this tool to compose stories that use sequence, humor, and dialogue. ?? Helps students at all levels make giant strides in composing stories and revising them, taking notes on difficult text, remembering and retelling complex stories, and mastering content knowledge. ?? Helps text-challenged readers and writers excel—and advanced students soar! ?? Serves as an easy assessment tool ?? Includes complete storyboarding workshop ?? Requires readily available classroom materials ?? Foreword by best-selling author Ruth Culham ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Terrific tool for writing and problem solving!
I've been fortunate to have Roger Essley come several times to our school to present to our 4th grade students (and staff) this decade.The children write better and with more detail after learning his methods of Storyboard and TellingBoard writing, with especially good gains for special needs students.We have had those "wow" moments when a child who is shy or doesn't like to write keeps an audience spellbound with his/her story, using TellingBoards in the class conferences.Included in the book are formats for using storyboards not only for narrative, but also for using with non-fiction.His ideas truly will help with reaching all learners in your class! I know it's a cliche to say something is a "must-have", but from learing from Essley and using his methods successfully, the book Visual Tools IS a must-have for teachers of writing, reading, and problem solving.

Also: try to get his picture book "Reunion", a great book for boys. ... Read more

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A quick and handy resource for one-on-one as well as small-group reading instruction. Strategies for teachers, classroom volunteers, and parents to use. Applicable to any text on any grade level in elementary school. ... Read more

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Handy Helper
This is a great little tool to help any teacher, new or veteran, with guided reading groups.We have to make enough plans as it is and this helps with guided reading instruction.I wouldn't be without it! ... Read more

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All children deserve a chance to learn to love reading. The Joyful Reading Resource Kit offers teachers an impressive array of tools, resources, and activities for getting students at all levels excited about reading while developing their proficiency in comprehension. Serving as a companion to Joyful Reading, the book offers teachers everything they need to implement the Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Reading (SEM-R), a differentiated instructional approach that encourages students to read independently for a period of time each day on books of their own choice. Implemented in three phases, the SEM-R program has been shown by research to improve fluency and comprehension among at-risk students. The Joyful Reading Resource Kit includes:

• Reproducible "bookmarks" for scaffolding students in critical thinking and comprehension activities

• Extensive lists of recommended books

• Tips for supporting students in selection of appropriately challenging books

• Materials for managing independent reading in the classroom, including log sheets, five-minute conference tips, writing prompts, assessment rubrics, and a reading growth chart

• Exciting enrichment resources to develop students' reading interests, including a survey form, online books, Web-based activities, and Renzulli Learning resources

• Hands-On Creativity activities that help students elaborate ideas, develop fluency, brainstorm, and much more

• Reproducible X-ploration projects on varied topics that students can pursue independently at their own pace

The Joyful Reading Resource Kit is a vital compendium not only for classroom teachers but also for parents and after-school educators who wish to support students in discovering the rich rewards and delights of reading. ... Read more

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Book study groups and professional learning communities, click here to save 15% when you order 15 copies of The RTI Daily Planning Book. A $420 value for $357-SAVE $63!

Customer Reviews (2)

RTI resource
This is a FANTASTIC resource guide!! I was introduced to it at an in-service. I ordered it as soon as I got home.It clarifies RTI and provides lists of activities to use for RTI instruction, many listed in an if..then format.This is a MUST have book for anyone frustrated with the mandates of RTI and inadequate time to search out activities.

Excellent Resource for School Districts Getting into RTI
Practical, well-written, and simply excellent. I pair this with Mary Howard's RTI from All Sides and you are all set. :)L ... Read more

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A year’s worth of thought-provoking quotations will inspire you to reflect on the way you teach and provide you with tools to inspire your students, too! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent source of ideas for creative and motivational lessons
Intended for use by reading teachers of students in grades K-10, Quotes To Inspire Great Reading Teachers: A Reflective Tool For Advancing Students' Literacy by co-authors Cathy Collins Block (Professor, Texas Christian University) & Susan E. Israel (Assistant Professor, University Of Dayton) is a unique educational supplement; each page presents a quote about reading, literature or thinking from a renowned individual, suggestions for linking the quote to a lesson, literature links for grade K-4 students and grade 4-10 students, and sample questions for prompting introspection on the part of the teacher. For example one quote is "Change your thoughts and you change your world" by Norman Vincent Peale; questions for the teacher's pondering include "How do you change your students' lives?", the lesson links recommended include "Ask students how they change their world", and the literature links recommended are "Golem" by David Wisniewski for grades K-4, and "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli for grades 4-10. An excellent source of ideas for creative and motivational lessons in reading, language, and literature. ... Read more

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"Strategy: Winning in the Marketplace" is the newest offering from proven authors Thompson, Gamble, and Strickland. As in previous works, the authors' mainstream presentation includes the most recent research in strategy presented in a way that students can understand and apply to business cases and problems. With fewer chapters and pages than previous texts by these authors, this text offers a more concise, lively, and user-friendly presentation of strategic management. Fundamental strengths of Thompson/Gamble/Strickland text treatments are very much evident in this edition - a compelling presentation of Porter's Five-Forces model and globally competitive markets and first-rate coverage of strategy execution and the drive for operating excellence. ... Read more

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Through a balance of pedagogy and practice, Ellis gives teachers the skills and confidence they need to become better storytellers. The book includes dozens of great stories and classroom-tested lesson plans to help students improve reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. With better reading skills, students' ability to learn content will also improve. By telling their own stories students will also learn creative writing strategies.

The preface and introduction recount current research, while providing inspiration for teachers to learn and tell stories. Each subsequent chapter explores one content area, Reading, Math, Science, etc. There is also a series of interdisciplinary units. What makes this project unique is that each chapter offers several exciting, easy-to-learn stories and reproducible pages for a ready-to-use handouts. Lesson plans include detailed strategies for their application, as well as links to national learning standards. Grades K-6

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What do children read before they read books? Words! Even children who can not read books on their own can read independently with these cards. The 3-part card format frees children to practice reading anytime, without help! Beginning readers read the word cards (part 1), match them to the photo cards (part 2), and then use the control cards (part 3, photo and word on one card) to check their own work. As soon as the children are grounded in phonetic reading, they can use these manipulatives to ease into the non-phonetic half of our language without frustration. A standard material in Montessori classrooms, 3-part cards are also excellent for English Language Learners (ELL). The Child's Tools 3-part Card packet feature the actual practical life objects you can purchase from Montessori Services including hex nut driver, hammer, hand drill, level, measuring tape, safety goggles, sanding block, saw, screwdriver, tool belt, toolbox, and vise. In addition to reading work, pre-readers can match the actual objects to the photo-only cards, an activity that toddlers particularly enjoy. 36 cards in this packet including 12 Word Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 1 1/8), 12 Photo Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 3), and 12 Control Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 4 1/3) plus a sample lesson plan for teacher/parent reference. All photos clearly isolate their subject. All cards are laminated with a heavy 5 mil laminate, have rounded corners, and are packaged in a sturdy reclosable bag for easy storage. ... Read more

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This book effectively combines two elements of the middle school curriculum into a focused and strategic process that has both immediate and long-lasting implications across ALL content areas. Emphasizes the process of learning. Provides structure and enhancement of writing comprehension. Motivates students to take an active role in their education. Classroom tested strategies. ... Read more

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What do children read before they read books? Words! Even children who can not read books on their own can read independently with these cards. The 3-part card format frees children to practice reading anytime, without help! Beginning readers read the word cards (part 1), match them to the photo cards (part 2), and then use the control cards (part 3, photo and word on one card) to check their own work. As soon as the children are grounded in phonetic reading, they can use these manipulatives to ease into the non-phonetic half of our language without frustration. A standard material in Montessori classrooms, 3-part cards are also excellent for English Language Learners (ELL). The Tools 3-part Card packet contains photos of the tools most commonly used for household projects including hammer, screwdriver, wrench, pliers, and more. 36 cards in this packet including 12 Word Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 1 1/8), 12 Photo Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 3), and 12 Control Cards (approx. 3 2/3 x 4 1/3) plus a sample lesson plan for teacher/parent reference. All photos clearly isolate their subject. All cards are laminated with a heavy 5 mil laminate, have rounded corners, and are packaged in a sturdy reclosable bag for easy storage. Maitri Learning is a green company; our products are printed on environmentally-sound papers, our laminate has non-toxic adhesives, and we have ecologically-responsible practices throughout our business. ... Read more

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Written by a science educator and a literacy expert, this resource gives secondary science teachers an approach for developing students’ disciplinary literacy so they can access science content. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Helps students develop literacy tools for critical thinking in science
Maria C. Grant and Douglas Fisher's READING AND WRITING IN SCIENCE: TOOLS TO DEVELOP DISCIPLINARY LITERACY helps students develop literacy tools for critical thinking in science, and provides middle to high school teachers with specific tools for building students through science. From developing science reading skills to using graphic organizers and writing-to-learn, this packs in many insights. ... Read more

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Survival Reading Skills for Secondary Students is your guide for working with struggling students in grades 5-12 no matter what their reading ability. This valuable resource is a down-to-earth guide that contains countless classroom-tested strategies that reading and content area teachers can use to reinforce skills that students must master to read effectively. In addition, the book offers ready-to-use activity sheets designed to improve competency in a number of relevant reading skills. Students will learn how to fill in a job application, read an airline schedule, apply for a driver's license, and practice many more useful real-life skills.

For quick access and easy use, the book is organized in seven sections and printed in a big 8 ½" X 11" lay-flat format for easy photocopying. The following is just a small sample of the many strategies, assessments, inventories, and activities featured in each section:

1. INFORMAL READING ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR OLDER STUDENTS: Includes a Content Reading Inventory. . . lists of sample words from a range of content areas including English, social studies, science, and mathematics&an informal assessment to determine a student's approximate instructional reading level.

2. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING SKILLS TO IDENTIFY CONTENT SIGHT WORDS: Provides reproducible copies of words needed for computer literacy . . . strategies for improving students' ability to recognize and identify important content and daily-living words . . . activities that include a reversed crossword puzzle and a magic square from science.

3. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING BASIC PHONIC SKILLS: Contains the basic phonic elements in which older students should be competent . . . seven helpful phonic generalizations . . . activity sheets that challenge students to complete a shopping list and discover a secret code.

4. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING ABILITY IN WORD STRUCTURE: Includes an explanation of the usefulness of word roots, prefixes, and suffixes . . . comprehensive lists of the most useful elements of word structure that help students read and study content materials effectively . . . activity sheets that help students determine word etymologies and correct accents.

5. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING USE OF CONTEXT CLUES: Presents a useful classification scheme for context clues . . . method of teaching context clues, cryptology, and mutilated messages . . . activities that direct students to choose the correct word in sentence context.

6. STRATEGIES AND MATERIALS FOR IMPROVING COMPREHENSION SKILLS WHILE READING CONTENT MATERIAL: Contains an explanation of levels of reading comprehensiontextually explicit, textually implicit, and critical or evaluative . . . myriad classroom-tested strategies for improving comprehension . . . activity sheets that engage students to figure out which is the better invention and complete a job application form.

7. STRATEGIES AND MATERIALS FOR IMPROVING STUDY SKILLS IN THE CONTENT AREAS: Offers a description of the specialized study skills that students need to read specific content material . . . a multitude of classroom-tested strategies for improving study skills . . . activities that help students to use the Dewey Decimal System and read the newspaper more effectively.

... Read more

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Handy resource used by teachers, classroom volunteers, and parents for large or small group shared reading instruction. Scripted language, fun activities, and sample questions on topics such as Directionality, Text Conventions, High-Frequency Words, and Comprehension provide the instructor with reading strategies to support beginning and advanced readers. ... Read more

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