Recently, I was re-reading Notice & Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst (Heinemann, 2012) and started thinking about how I read nonfiction professional books. I usually start with the table of contents to see how the book is organized and to make note of chapters that might be a special interest. After reading through the introduction, I may or may not start with the first chapter. Frequently, I flip around in the book, eventually reading through the whole book. Additionally, I keep a highlighter, pencil, and small sticky notes close by so I can tag my "ah-ha moments" and the things that I want to share with others or come back and ponder a bit more. This is certainly not how I read a novel.
Since I have been pondering ways to improve reading comprehension for English Language Learners, I have been going through a number of books that I have looked at before but felt the urge to return to and spend some additional time thinking about it and how to share it with teachers. Notice & Note has been one of those books. What books have your found absolutely critical in influencing your thinking on reading comprehension?
Here are a couple of books that I have spent a lot of time with this year:
These are the books that currently are knocking about in a book bag, or my car, or my night stand. Some I have read in parts and others I still have to read and others I have read and referenced over and over again.
In Defense of Read Aloud: Sustaining Best Practice by Steven Layne (Stenhouse Publishers, January 2015) - Part love song to read alouds and part research to support the importance of read alouds, this is one of my favorites of 2015.
Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction & Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science, K-2 by Melissa Stewart & Nancy Chesley (Stenhouse Publishers, August 2014) - Those of you who follow my blog know that I have been exploring the lessons in this book with actual teachers, librarians, and students. I have had so much fun with this year with this book. I look forward to pulling it out next year.
Books I look forward to reading this summer:
Making Number Talks Matter: Developing Mathematical Practices and Deepening Understanding by Cathy Humphreys and Ruth Parker (Stenhouse Publishers, April 2015) - Though I usually stay in the literacy section of professional reading, I still like to explore other areas. When it involves language and critical thinking, I am even more interested.
59 Reasons to Write: Mini-Lessons, Prompts, and Inspiration for Teachers by Kate Messner (Stenhouse Publishers, January 2015) - This is from Kate Messner. Do I even need to say more? Kate has such a teacher's heart and she is so passionate about what she does and what she writes that any book she puts out is worth picking up.
Coming in the Fall 2015:
Reading Nonfiction: Notices & Note Signpost and Questions by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst (Heinemann, October 2015) - I am interested in seeing what Beers and Probst have to say about reading nonfiction.
What professional books for educators or librarians are you currently reading or have on your summer "to-read" list?
Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: