Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Standards Part I. Lesson Plans and Activities to Enhance Storytelling 1. Reading Hometown History Savoring the Setting Diaries at Daybreak A Story in a Poem Postcard Possibilities 2. Writing If These Walls Could Talk... Story Letters Hats Off to the Storytellers The Story of My Favorite Hat 3. Speaking and Listening Sing a Story Making Introductions Honoring Your Friends A Picturesque Town Voices Tell the Story 4. Viewing Freeze Frame: Storytelling With Wordless Picture Books Picture Your Life Actions Speak Louder Than Words Part II. The Arts and Crafts of Literacy: Projects to Enhance Literacy Experiences 5. Costume Corners 6. Puppets 7. Motivating Writers 8. Fabric Crayon Projects 9. Quilting Memories 10. Family Literacy Experiences: Sharing and Preserving Memories Part III. Literacy Resources References
"This is a time-saving treasure with a comprehensive selection of literacy activities. The literature choices and related lessons will motivate and engage a diverse population of learners." -Eileen Baker, Supervisor of K-12 Reading and K-8 Language Arts, Cinnaminson Township School District, NJ "These easy-to-follow lessons provide educators with opportunities to help children meet the standards while enjoying children's literature and positive interactions." -Kathleen Quinn, Professor, Holy Family University Build your students' literacy skills through a full range of outstanding lessons and activities! Offering a wealth of complete, classroom-ready activities and lesson plans, this standards-based guide helps K-8 teachers advance student achievement in all areas of literacy, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. Helen Hoffner shows teachers how to engage students by connecting literacy learning with students' lives, involving family, friends, and the community. Tied to IRA/NCTE and McREL literacy standards, the lessons include everything teachers need for implementation, featuring: Step-by-step directions, sample student forms, and assessments A literature list with recommendations for Grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 Adaptations for English language learners Methods for differentiating by grade level and student ability Samples of student work With bonus literacy-focused arts and crafts projects included, this is your go-to resource for hands-on activities that build connections between students, literature, and the community.
Helen Hoffner is an Associate Professor at Holy Family University where she teaches graduate and undergraduate literacy courses and directs the program leading to reading specialist certification. Her research interests include investigations of literacy related technology such as electronic books and the use of captioned and visually described television and film programs to improve literacy. She serves as an educational consultant for 20th Century Fox/MGM Entertainment Corporation and has developed a series of captioned films to help children and adults improve their reading ability. Dr. Hoffner has been an elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, director of a school for students with learning disabilities, and supervisor of student teachers. She has chaired school evaluation teams for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and has presented workshops for educators throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to writing many journal articles and instructional manuals, Dr. Hoffner has written several books for teachers including, The Elementary Teacher's Digital Toolbox, Reading and Writing Mysteries in Grades 4 to 8, A Look at Realistic Fiction, and Learning Disabilities: What Research Tells Us. Helen Hoffner is proud to be a teacher and to share her classroom experiences and lesson planning suggestions with current and future educators.