Full Description
"This is a fabulous book! Hundreds of activities that can be implemented at no cost. Buy it, use it, and allow the genius of Kathy Perez to rub off on you."
—Harry K. Wong, Author
The First Days of School
Boost literacy achievement with these practical, brain-compatible strategies!
Activating prior knowledge, differentiating instruction, and creating interactive opportunities—these are key practices that optimize learning, according to brain research. This essential guide translates cutting-edge research into ready-to-use tactics to promote literacy development in your classroom.
Internationally recognized educator Kathy Perez offers a definitive collection of more than 100 field-tested strategies that can be implemented easily and immediately for maximum results at any grade level. The activities and tools provide strong building blocks for creating a dynamic, brain-friendly environment where teachers and students thrive. The book offers a flexible framework, step-by-step guidance, and key features such as:
Approaches to motivate students with hands-on learning
Specific techniques for differentiation and utilizing multiple intelligences
Tactics to strengthen reading comprehension and the meaning-making process
Pre-reading strategies, standards-based activities, planning templates, reproducibles, and other resources to boost student achievement
More Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy empowers teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists with proven tools to cultivate active learning.
Contents
Preface
About the Author
1. Brain-Based Literacy Learning - Pieces of the Puzzle
The Research Connection
Reading Comprehension and the Brain
Personal Connections
Reflect to Connect
Slow Down to Go Faster
Different Ways of Knowing - Different Ways of Showing
2. Activate to Educate!
Why Activate?
Prereading Strategies
Anticipation Guide/Prediction Guide
People Bingo
Windowpane
Graphic Organizers
K-W-L
Preview Puzzles
Sticky-Note Discussion/Graffiti Board
Story Impressions
Word Splash
Backtrack
Learning Lineup
Voting With Your Feet
Preview Pairs
Sort and Report
Postcard Connections
3. What Does a Brain-Compatible Classroom Look Like?
Tips for Developing a Brain-Compatible Classroom
Content and Process ("Gum" and "Chew")
State Changes
Management Tips
Grouping and Floor Plans
Learning Centers
Sample Centers
Creating Independent Learners
Strategies for Flexible Grouping
Managing for Grouping Accountability
Planning for Grouping
Mix-Mingle-Swap
Carousel Cruising
Walk and Talk Tour
Newscast Reporting
Clock Buddies
Grouping "Roundup"
4. Literacy is NOT a Spectator Sport!
Note Taking/ Note Making
Summary Strategies
Picture This: Stretch to Sketch
Rhyme Time
Slogans
Comparison
Questioning Strategies
Translation
Alliteration
Speculation
Applications
Reflection
5. Differentiate to Motivate!
Essential Elements of Differentiation
What Is This Thing Called Differentiation?
Pieces of the Puzzle
Managing Your Differentiated Classroom
Ten Things to Try Next Week (To Encourage Independence and Differentiate Instruction)
Lesson Planning for Action
Professor of the Week
"Professor for the Week"
Active Participation Strategies
Give One/ Get One
Save the Last Word for Me!
Cubing
6. Into, Through, and Beyond Boosters
Developing an Instructional Framework
"Into" Strategies
"Through" Strategies
Coding Strategy
"Beyond" Strategies
Flip Book
"Two Facts and a Fib"
Question Fan
Celebrate a Book
Fishbone Strategy
Question "Connections"
Conclusion
References
Index
