Developing Learning Skills Through Children S Literature

This book suggests ideas for sharing literature that may be utilized in developing a scope and sequence of literature experiences for children in grades K-5. For primary grades K-2 the activities are primarily arranged through sharing the works of a particular author or illustrator. Through this deliberate exploration the child begins to know that person as a friend. S/he is excited about new books by that same author or illustrator and discusses books on a level not often achieved if authors are approached only haphazardly. Those included represent a variety of classic and current authors and illustrators "too good to miss" who have made a particular contribution to literature for young people.

This book is the result of understanding literature as a central part of children’s education. Fiction and nonfiction literary works constitute a source to open young minds and to help them understand how and why people – themselves included – live as they do, or to question through critical lenses whether they could live otherwise. By integrating philological, cultural, and pedagogical inquiries, Thinking through Children's Literature in the Classroom approaches the use of literature as a crucial factor to motivate students not only to improve their literacy skills, but also to develop their literary competence, one that prepares them to produce independent and sensible interpretations of the world. Of course, the endeavor of forming young readers and fostering their ability to think begins primarily by having well-read teachers who are enthusiastic about teaching and, secondly, by having students who are willing to learn. To encourage and sustain them through the critical turns of their own thinking processes, educators must surely display a sound pedagogic knowledge apart from deep literary expertise.

Basing skills instruction on the multitude of books available to children, this book connects all the necessary reading skills to literature which will stimulate and motivate students in grades 3-6. Teachers can use the book as a blueprint for reading instruction or as a stepping-off point for a creative literature-based program. Part I of the book talks about teaching through meaningful contexts, creating a print-rich environment, components of a process classroom, and teaching to students' needs. Part II presents techniques to advance comprehension and vocabulary development. Part III of the book gives examples of how to teach specific skills to students, and each skill is covered by activities based on one of more specific children's books. Part IV discusses ways to accommodate for different abilities in the classroom, and includes a list of high-interest, age-appropriate books for "struggling" learners. (RS)

Shows parents how to help their child communicate and learn language during everyday activities.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

This book presents children’s literature as a platform for learning and helping young readers develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to thrive in an interconnected and diverse global society. It draws from various theoretical frameworks and research findings to implement critical literacy and culturally responsive teaching in the meaning-making process. The book focuses on global competencies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as intertwined concepts that work together to foster a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable world. Developing global competencies empowers children and communities to actively participate in achieving the SDGs and addressing the pressing challenges of our time. The authors set high expectations on children as actors in transforming society. To facilitate this, the book offers an overview of child development theories as a foundation for designing developmentally appropriate practices to extend children’s books toward deep thinking and understanding. The book includes sample lessons that use cutting-edge research-based pedagogies and tools such as visible thinking routines and other approaches. Those lessons also help readers identify the Habits of Mind (HOM) children can develop by listening to and discussing stories. The HOM are attributes of good problem-finders and problem-solvers needed when confronting complex issues. The book provides resources and sample lessons that implement different thinking strategies to engage children in questioning and analyzing what they read, making them more critical. This is how children deeply understand the world and their role in creating positive change. The book aims to cultivate change-makers and global citizens through stories. It offers innovative approaches, including online learning options in accessible and engaging ways to help children think globally and act locally ‘Through the power of children’s literature, this book serves a larger agenda: To build a more thoughtful world for future generations. By caring for and learning from one another through suggested activities in this book, they will share the riches and resources from across the world. As children learn about the promise of actions toward the UN Sustainable Goals, they can imagine living in an interdependent learning community where all people continually searching for ways to trust each other, learn together, and grow toward greater intelligence.’ Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick, Co-Founders and Directors of The Institute for Habits of Mind