Focus on Literacy: Effective Content Teachers for the Middle Grades

This new book from ACEI focuses on content literacy-the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively within each content area. Many teachers report that they do not view literacy to be a high priority for content area teaching, since they view it as the responsibility of the English teachers. And teacher candidates are resistant to learning about literacy strategies while enrolled in content area reading courses. Yet, in order to function effectively in today's information-rich global community, students must exit our schools with the ability to access information across all content areas; to use sophisticated comprehension and critical reasoning abilities; and to be able to read, write, listen, speak, and think effectively. Instructional strategies incorporating reading and writing help students acquire content knowledge and understanding. With contributions from middle grade teachers in a variety of settings, this book provides myriad examples of ways to integrate content literacy throughout many content areas and middle grade levels. Teacher candidates and new teachers will benefit from exposure to these exemplary, child-centered content area literacy teaching practices.

Jan Lacina and Patricia A. Watson, Editors, 2008. ISBN 978-0-87173-172-2
No. 1072 $22.00 ($17.60 ACEI members)

Table of Contents

Preface
-Jan Lacina

Part I. Introduction

Teaching and Learning Through Content Area Literacy: Characteristics of Effective Instruction and Successful Teachers
-Patricia A. Watson

Part II. Content Literacy in a Self-contained Middle Grades Classroom

Studying the Arts in Leah's 4th-Grade Classroom
-Connie Corbett-Whittier and Leah Anderson
Reading and Writing Workshop as Scaffold for Content Area Learning in Rachel's 5th-Grade Classroom
-Terre Folger and Rachel Mazzocco

Part III. Literacies for Specific Content Disciplines

Literacy Learning and an Inquiry Curriculum in Jeff's Middle School Social Studies Classroom
-Holly Johnson and Jeff Hoffman
Literacy in Jacquie's 6th- and 7th-Grades Math Classroom
-Susan E. Fello and Kelli R. Paquette, with Jacquie Gentile
Learning Cycles and Arts Integration in Sarah's Science Classroom
-Joy Faini Saab, Allison Swan Dagen, and James Rye
Literacy and Movement in Charlita's 5th-Grade Physical Education Classes
-Jan Lacina and Charlita Smith

Part IV. Literacies for All Content Areas

Sheltered English Instruction: A Model for English Language Learners in All Content Areas
-Jan Lacina, Lynnette Mayo, and Patience Sowa
Media Literacy: Encouraging Critical Thinking Across the Content Areas
-Patricia A. Watson and Rene B. Rodriguez

Part V. Professional Development in Content Area Literacy

Learning About Content Area Literacy Through a Teacher Book Club
-Stephanie Wightman and Carol Gilles
Content Area Tools
-Jan Lacina and Patricia A. Watson

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