I get so excited when I come across books that make me a better teacher and add ideas and strategies into my “bag of tricks” in teaching literacy. You know the books that get you motivated to try new ideas, the ones that make you think, ‘ah-ha, that’s it, and the ones that simply transform you into the rock star teacher that you are. Literacy has always been my passion and I believe that literacy enables students to be successful in all other subject areas. I am extremely driven to create passionate readers and writers and instill a love of literacy in each and every one of my students. I have come across these amazing professional reads in literacy that are worth reading and sharing. Most of these books I refer to regularly when planning and teaching my lessons and some of these books are brand new to me as I continue to learn and grow professionally. So check out these 7 literacy books that will change not only how you teach literacy, but will also transform your students into your very own rock star readers and writers.
Writing Like Writers: Guiding Elementary Children Through a Writer’s Workshop
This book for sure has made me a better writing teacher. I love that it is a teacher-friendly, easy to use guide for any teacher seeking to build a classroom of writers. There are fantastic mentor text examples to teach each writing trait, skill or strategy that engages my students and helps them develop into writers. This book is a must-have for all teachers with tons of reproducibles too. My students and I even named our class writer’s workshop, Writing Like Writers, after this book. It’s definitely a keeper!
Topics addressed in this guidebook include:
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creating the writing classroom
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teaching the writing process
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teaching effective writing strategies
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teaching elements of story structure
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teaching the advanced craft of writing
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using a writers’ workshop to teach good writing
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About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers
This book is the best out there for primary teachers K-2 to launch writer’s workshop with the youngest writers. Ray explains step by step how to set up and maintain a primary writing workshop, detailing eleven units of study that cover idea generation, text structures, different genres, and illustrations that work with text. This book changed my whole mindset about how to teach writing to kindergarten students and will blow your mind when you see their progress and growth as they develop into writers themselves. This book is also an excellent resource to learn more about how to organize and manage units of study in writer’s workshop. Definitely a favorite!
Writing: Teachers & Children at Work
If you want to know more about the research behind literacy and its nuts and bolts then this book is it. Donald Graves is a long time guru in literacy influencing and mentoring teachers everywhere. During my study in The Delaware Writing Project, I was thrilled to study Donald Graves and to learn more about how literacy and writer’s workshop go hand in hand to create enthusiastic readers and writers. This book certainly changed the way I thought about literacy and the way I taught literacy too.
Be a Better Writer
I am a big fan of Steve Peha’s work in writing. I also came across Steve Peha’s resources during my work in The Writing Project and his work transformed my teaching of writing. I love that this book is for school, fun or anyone, even yourself! Check out Steve Peha’s amazing downloadable resources at his website, Teaching that Makes Sense, Inc.
The Writing Strategies Book
The Reading Strategies Book
I’ve heard so much about both of these books that I had to buy them both. I have zero self-control about spending good money on something that I know will make me a better teacher. I’m always looking for new writing books to add to my writing geek bag, but I have been looking for a book to brush up on my reading strategies and this is it. And the title of both books says it all right!? Your EVERYTHING GUIDE to developing skilled readers or writers. Just what I needed!
In The Writing Strategies Book with Jen Serravello’s help you’ll:
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develop individual goals for every writer
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give students step-by-step strategies for writing with skill and craft
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coach writers using prompts aligned to a strategy
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present mentor texts that support a genre and strategy
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adjust instruction to meet individual needs with Jen’s Teaching Tips
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demonstrate and explain a writing move with her Lesson Language
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learn more with Hat Tips to the work of influential teacher-authors
She even offers suggestions for stocking your writing center, planning units of study, celebrating student writing, and keeping records. You can use these strategies with Writing Workshop, 6+1 Traits, Daily 5’s “Work on Writing,” a scripted writing program, the writing exercises in your basal, or any other approach in teaching writing.
In The Reading Strategies Book, each strategy is cross-linked to skills, genres, and Fountas & Pinnell reading levels to give you just-right teaching. With Jen Serravallo’s help you’ll:
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develop goals for every reader
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give students step-by-step strategies for skilled reading
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guide readers with prompts aligned to the strategies
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adjust instruction to meet individual needs with Jen’s Teaching Tips
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craft demonstrations and explanations with her Lesson Language
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learn more with Hat Tips to the work of influential teacher-authors
Whether you use readers workshop, Daily 5, guided reading, balanced reading, a core reading program, whole-class novels, or any other approach, The Reading Strategies Book will complement and extend your teaching. It just can’t get any better than that!!
The Writing Thief
Are you a writing thief? If not then you need to become one. It’s been said that good writers borrow while great writers steal. Ruth Culham admits to being a writing thief and she wants you and your students to become writing thieves, too! An important part of good writing instruction is finding the right mentor texts to share with students. Within this book, you’ll discover more than 90 excellent mentor texts, along with straight-forward activities that incorporate the traits of writing across informational, narrative, and argument modes. I purchased many of the mentor texts in this book to teach the lessons and my students loved all of them and again were completely engaged. Remember that using picture books as mentor texts are not just for young readers. Picture books teach to all different grade levels, for all different audiences, and for different purposes. This book is another must-have!
From this book, I created lesson plans for the busy teacher that are easy to follow and implement. You could find all three genres (informative, narrative and persuasive writing) which include 18 lessons each and a list of mentor texts, or a huge bundle of 54 lessons at my Shop.
I couldn’t imagine teaching without these books. I continue to be in awe when I come across a book that teaches me more. What are your favorite books in teaching literacy? Please share so I could continue growing my list of professional books.
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Happy Reading!
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Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
So I totally got the Reading Strategies book and I AM IN LOVE! It is well written, not overwhelming with great graphics and key elements to know when, where and how to teach! My school also ordered the writing one but I have not read it yet! It will be useful as I transition into my Reading/Literacy specialist position in the fall. You have chosen some fantastic resources above! I will be checking out the others! Thanks for providing phenomenal recommendations!
That’s awesome! I just began reading both the reading and writing strategies book. I have to say even though I LOVE writing, I think I am liking the reading strategies book just a a bit more because I am learning SOOO much. I really need to brush up on my reading strategies. Congratulations on your new role into a reading/literary specialist position. You have amazing ideas and I know you will do very well in that position. I’d love to be a reading/literacy specialist. It’s on my long term goal list, sooner than later I hope! Thanks for reading and for leaving a thoughtful comment!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Literacy was for sure my favourite subject when I was in primary school. It’s so important to learn how to write and express yourself properly through words because it’s a much needed skill for the future! xx
I completely agree Marina. It’s so sad that teaching writing is neglected in many classrooms/schools. I have such a love of writing and for teaching writing (and reading). It is a lifelong skill and a reflection on one’s inner thoughts. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Wow, I am a former teacher and these are a great line up of books! 🙂 When my son is of age I am pretty sure these books will help to develop his reading.
Thanks and Yay…a former teacher! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Wow, there are some valuable resources here. I definitely will be passing this on to my teacher friends.
Thanks so much Jody! I appreciate you passing this along to your teacher friends too!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This is great, I will have to pass this on to some teachers I know! Thanks for sharing
Xo-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
Thanks so much! I appreciate you passing this along to some teacher friends.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
My friend is a high school teacher and she says that a lot of the kids aren’t as literate as they should be at that age. So it’s good to make sure people are comfortable with writing and reading at a young age!
I hear and see that a lot too. Unfortunately there are gaps in learning at every grade level. It definitely take a village to get kids where they need to be and you are right, it does start at a very young age. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
It feels like literacy is becoming a lost art these days! It’s so nice to see teachers continuing to improve and find creative ways to teach our next generation some of these extremely valuable skills. Great list of resources!
Thank you! I agree! So much seems to be getting lost in this new era of technology and social media. Teachers have to find innovative and creative ways to teach these days! Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This is such a great resource, thank you! I love finding knew ideas to help my kids think more critically.
You are welcome! Glad it could help! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I LOVE be a better writer! I will have to share this with my teacher friends
Have you read it? I’d love your feedback because I haven’t read it yet!
Thanks for sharing!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I love your enthusiasm. It is great to have good tools to get your teaching where you want it.
Thanks!!! Definitely…I agree! A teacher’s toolbox is never full! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
With all the technology going on today it is hard to get the kids to even pick up a pen or pencil for the purpose of writing. Even the electronics are used more for entertainment than learning. One of my daughters is in middle school and they all have I PADS that they are issued. Then I heard that in high school they are issued Mac books.
I’m not sure what that logic is because they are not going to have typing skills when they walk into high school. Good thing I am making all my kids learn it on their own. I think that I may pick up one of these books and see how the kids do with the material.
Cheers
I agree with you about technology taking over the paper and pencil. In my opinion literacy is more than just writing and typing. It’s the actual thought process behind the reading and writing that we should be concerned about with todays kids. My hope is that they actually think before, during and after reading, and can write a well thought out response or essay, including reasons, facts, opinions and examples. With all of this technology and social media I hope that students are able to socialize and speak with others using eye contact and can articulate their thoughts in a meaningful conversation with others. Technology certainly does has it advantages, but good teachers who are well versed in teaching literacy can get kids reading, writing and thinking on all levels.
Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I am definitely putting A Writing Thief on my Summer Reading List! I am also going to be involved in a Book Study for the Strategies books this summer 😉
I am so impressed that you will be collaborating with Peha! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
You’ll love The Writing Thief. Have you read Ray & Cleveland’s Book, About The Authors? That’s a great book for primary grades. I am going to geek out and continue reading The Strategies books too..hehe!
Looking forward to collaborating, learning from and working more with Peha! Hopefully the PD workshop will go on as planned this summer.
Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
The Reading Strategies book is like my guided reading bible…literally! This is an amazing list!
erika | http://www.entirelyerika.com
Ha! I bet it is! That is just the kind of book I need to brush up on teaching reading strategies. God sent for sure…lol. So you teach? What grade? I checked out your website for more info but your “teaching” page didn’t show up.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
To me, literacy is one of the most important thing students can learn, as it translates across all subjects. I love the passion you have for teaching and the influence you share through all of your posts!
Thanks so much Lexi! I absolutely love teaching and I’m glad it shows in all my posts. 🙂 I agree that literacy is the most important thing to be able to teach well since it does translate across all other subjects. If you can’t read or write well, you won’t excel in other areas. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Literacy is such an important thing for all subjects but is often the hardest thing to teach. This is a great resource, thanks for sharing
Thanks Nicki! I agree that literacy is so important and the hardest to teach. The literacy programs that schools purchase do not come with much effective PD on how to teach it well. I hope that changes one day! Thanks for reading.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
These are some great choices. It’s so difficult trying to teach all these little writers, it can’t hurt to read up on advice!
Thank you! Teaching writing is really difficult to teach, even for veteran teachers. I wish there was more professional development in this area. It definitely can’t hurt to read up with some books that change the way you teach.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers