Picture books aren't just for little kids. They are powerful and engaging texts that can help all middle school students succeed in language arts, math, science, social studies, and the arts. Picture books appeal to students of all readiness levels, interests, and learning styles. Featuring descriptions and activities for fifty exceptional titles, Mary Jo Fresch and Peggy Harkins offer a wealth of ideas for harnessing the power of picture books to...

This must-have resource provides 16 original poems that focus on consonant blends and digraphs to support phonemic and phonological awareness in grades PreK–2. Eachgrade-level appropriate poem features a corresponding lesson that includes two cross-curricular connections and include phonemic matching, isolation, blending, substitution, and segmentation. Take-home activities encourage linguistic interaction with friends and family members, which...

This easy-to-follow guide is filled with practical approaches to help teachers transition towards a balanced literacy framework. Designed for both newer and veteran teachers alike, this straightforward book offers simple techniques and concrete strategies to nurture reading and writing skills through Shared/Guided/Independent Reading and Writing activities. This resource gives teachers in-depth lessons plans that take the away guesswork out of what...