This gentle and joyful book explores ways in which we can harness young children's natural storytelling ability to help them become readers and writers at an early age. The detailed lessons throughout the book use the power of stories - personal narratives, folktales, and fairy tales -- to deepen literacy experiences and make reading and writing a part of every day. Teachers will find a wealth of resources, including practical models; teaching schedules; examples of student work; parent education materials; and ideas on how to manage assessment.

Coming in October 2010!

When working with digital stories, it's easy to focus on the bells and whistles -- images, music, sound effects. But in reality, a good digital story -- like any story -- is all about the writing.

This thoughtful book shows how to use digital stories to lead students through all the stages of the writing process, from planning to revising and editing. It discussess different types of stories; shows how to assess digital assessments and motivate reluctant writers; and explains how digital storytelling teaches skills supported by education and technology standards. The accompanying CD-ROM includes examples of student stories discussed in the text.

In our warehouse NOW!

Writing improves when students learn good planning, revision, and assessment strategies that specifically apply to different writing forms -- Description, Narration, Lyric Poetry, Exposition, Persuasion/Deliberative Inquiry Research, Business Letters, and Exploratory Writing. Each of these forms is thoroughly discussed in this book, with suggestions for exploring key features, planning strategies, specific revision criteria, and assessment techniques. This bold book represents a complete makeover for tired textbooks about the writing process. It illustrates effective ways teachers can guide their students to become inspired, and turn ordinary writing into something extraordinary.

Coming in September 2010!

Based on the premise that teachers need to engage with students as more than just pupils, this book illustrates how to help students make connections and care about their work. It offers effective ways to close "the achievement gap," eliminate "the fourth-grade slump," and reach "students at risk." A comprehensive overview of school experiences, the book argues for ways that teachers can change the way they view student learning, and create more successful learning situations. It discusses the importance of acknowledging what unique attributes each person brings to the classroom, and shares poignant moments of unanticipated learning and re-engagement.

Coming in October 2010!

Designed to spark the imagination and enhance creativity, the guided exercises and fun-filled suggestions in this innovative book integrate elements of writing with simple movements and yoga principles to create a safe and joyful learning experience. The book combines writing tasks with basic physical movements that are easy to incorporate into classroom instruction. Useful and inspiring for students and teachers alike, the book is committed to getting kids writing and playing with words and ideas. It challenges teachers to refresh their teaching of writing, inspire students, and find the fun in everyday learning.

Coming in October 2010!

Literary criticism can be a powerful tool for tackling challenging texts. This book breaks down critical theory into clear, lively, and thorough explanations of many schools of critical thought. Each theory is given its own chapter, with an overview, brief history, and discussion of its benefits and limitations. The book also includes classroom-tested activities, essay and research paper topics, lists of recommended texts, exam questions, and more. The accompanying CD-ROM offers short overviews of each theory that are aimed at student readers, designed to be used as handouts for background knowledge. It also includes a complete bonus chapter on post-modernism, along with a rich set of additional materials and tools.

Coming in September 2010!

Discover a new way to integrate the best of fiction and nonfiction, and motivate students to write with imagination, curiousity, and a hunger to learn -- adventure writing!

This lively book starts with a solid foundation in the basics of good writing: setting, atmosphere, and character development. It goes on to explore the specific elements of "adventure writing": from setting the stage to conducting research; from combining history and geography to effectively utilizing technology. The result is work that is rooted in real places, supported by facts, and developed with details from reality. Handouts, sample activities, student writing samples, research sources, and more complement the book.

Coming in November 2010!

This straightforward book will help teachers learn to use new literacies -- digital, social, media, and critical literacies -- to strengthen and support the "old" -- reading, writing, and listening. Based on the deep belief that in order to proficiently use technology, one must be skilled at reading and writing, the book challenges teachers to use new literacies as a learning experience for both teacher and student. Keepin' It Real explores the real risks and benefits of new forms of communication and their power as an important tool for engaging students. The world may be changing, and the tools we use to interact with it may be evolving, but the basic skills we need to actively engage with the world remain constant.

Coming in September 2010!

This practical book is organized around 6 fundamental components of writing workshop -- routines, mini-lessons, choice, mentors, conferring, and assessment. Each component is broken down into detailed 10-day sections. Each of these sections begins with a discussion, followed by a challenge that can be implemented in the classroom. Like having a personal writing coach, this book will guided you day-by-day through a whole year of successful writing workshop.

Coming in October 2010!

Discover a wealth of activities and tips to help student writers get motivated, organized, and focused. This book explores the elements of good writing (content) and the mechanics of writing, including punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. It shows how special tools (like bullets!) can help writers add material without overburdening the reader. The book offers original insights into all aspects of the writing process, and explores how young writers can use the best books as models, with samples from some of Canada's most popular children's authors.

Coming in September 2010!

How can we build a strong literacy foundation for children?

This book argues that learning and language development start with the play episodes, oral language practices, word play, and print encounters and events that children engage in during the early years of life. Filled with rich language experiences, the book illustrates ways to maximize these cornerstones to learning with meaningful events that allow children to discover print and use literacy in the play environment, culture, and local community they grow up in.

Coming in October 2010!

This topical book begins with an appeal to teachers to remain positive in spite of what's happening outside the classroom and provides ideas to build confidence in addressing students' troubles. It offers valuable insights into dealing with any number of challenges, from children's worries about the world to the parental tendency to overprotect to teachers' need to "recharge" in the midst of a stressful day. Practical and accessible, the book suggests simple ways of guiding honest and responsive discussion, as well as liberating activities that encourage students to disengage from their fears. It addresses children's heavy exposure to violence and stereotypes, especially through the media. It shows teachers how to explore major issues in the lives of their students in a healthy, positive way, and how to encourage stronger, more aware, independent, and successful learners.

In our warehouse NOW!

Create meaningful and unique learning opportunities with this comprehensive outline of improvisation and interpretation strategies that are easily incorporated into classroom instruction. This practical and useful book offers a host of sources for dramatic activity that include scripts, monologues, poetry, novel excerpts, and technology. These activities will enrich the meaning-making, creative process, and critical skills that students need to succeed both in school, and in life.

In our warehouse NOW!