Literature Circle Guide Series

A guide to studying "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor, the story of an adolescent white boy who is befriended by an old black man after being blinded in an incident at sea; featuring an author biography, advice on setting up and managing literature circles, and reproducible activity sheets for group discussions and literature response journals.

A literature circle guide to "Walk Two Moons" for students in grades four through eight, featuring a summary of the story, information about author Sharon Creech, enrichment readings, and group discussion and journal writing prompts.

Suggested activities to be used in the classroom to accompany the reading of Island of the blue dolphins by Scott O'Dell.

Suggested activities to be used in the classroom to accompany the reading of Roll of thunder, hear my cry by Mildred D. Taylor.

A guide to E. L. Konigsburg's "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," for use with literature circles in grades 4-8, that provides tools including reading strategy tips, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Also includes an evaluation sheet.

Embarking on your first solo road trip. Receiving a special surprise that arrives out of the blue. Finding a sudden flash of inspiration that sets you on a wondrous new path. When we think about the moments that stand out in our memory, it's clear that our minds hold onto the unusual or unexpected. By tapping into students' innate curiosity, you can design memorable, meaningful learning experiences that captivate their interest and ignite their imaginations. Structured around four key elements that fuel engagement-surprise, curiosity, freedom, and inspiration-Keeping the Wonder offers practical strategies and abundant inspiration for K-12 educators to create lessons that are fun and compelling. Combining enchanting anecdotes, real-world experience, and a wealth of research, the authors share their collective expertise as educators and founders of the innovative Keeping the Wonder workshop. In this dynamic handbook, Jenna, Ashley, Abby, and Staci offer a fresh approach to learning through the lens of wonder. By providing creative ideas for switching up standard lesson plans in ways both subtle and profound, they show us how to recapture our fascination with the world by employing all of our senses, and enhance engagement and critical thinking for students and teachers alike. Endorsements Before reading Keeping the Wonder, I saw my social studies classroom for what it was: brick walls, desks, and a few colorful posters. Today, I see magic seeping through the cracks of every space. Keeping the Wonder reignited my passion for student engagement and learning with every turn of the page. -Dr. Jacob Bauer Zebley, high school social studies teacher and 2015 Cecil County Teacher of the Year From personal stories, practical advice, and research-based strategies, Keeping the Wonder is a book you will reach for time and again. After reading, you'll start looking not just at your own classroom and curriculum through the lens of wonder, but the world around you. A must read for any teacher who is looking to bring that sense of curiosity and love of learning back into their classroom. -Caitlin Mitchell and Jessica Cannata, cofounders of EB Academics and bestselling authors of The Empowered ELA Teacher

A guide to facilitating the discussion of the novel by Jerry Spinelli by students in grades four through eight offers suggestions for identifying themes, analyzing vocabulary, and responding to the text.

Suggested activities to be used in the classroom to accompany the reading of Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.