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Book Talk

Book Talk

Growing Into Early Literacy Through Read-Aloud Conversations

by Sherry Sanden, Cassandra Mattoon and Sandra L. Osorio

Foreword by Mariana Souto-Manning

Published by: Teachers College Press

Imprint: Teachers College Press

176 Pages, 153.00 × 226.00 × 11.00 mm

Paperback
9780807765708
Published: September 2021

£27.99

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Hardcover
9780807765715
Published: September 2021

£84.00

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Description
Contents
Authors

Discover the language and learning possibilities of young children's active engagement with book experiences, in which they talk with one another as they make meaning from literature centered around their lives and interests. Drawing from their backgrounds as teachers and researchers, as well as their many experiences facilitating and observing read-alouds with diverse students, the authors provide a practical guide to conducting book discussions that promote deep engagement and the natural development of literacy skills. The text includes detailed recommendations for setting up the classroom reading environment, selecting books, preparing materials, setting goals, and integrating discussions with curricular demands, all while maintaining a child-centered philosophy and addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Book Talk melds theory about literacy learning with the practical realities of reading and talking with young children in 21st-century preschool and primary classrooms.

Book Features:

Promotes read-aloud experiences that keep children, their backgrounds, and their experiences front and center.
Offers guidance for tailoring discussions around specific learning goals across the literacy curriculum.
Shares the authors' learning journeys and their support for the learning of other early childhood educators.
Includes vignettes from classroom literature discussions, as well as conversations between educators.
Incorporates classroom observations, teacher reflections, and research-based teaching practices.
Addresses a variety of early childhood audiences, including preschool, kindergarten, and primary-grade teachers, preservice teacher candidates, school librarians, and teacher educators.

Contents

Foreword Mariana Souto-Manning ix

Introduction 1
Our Journey 2
Shared Classroom Reading Experiences 5
Beginning Your Journey 7

1. Mindset of a Teacher-Learner 11
What We Know 12
Examples From Our Journey 16
Ideas That Get Us Started 19
Continuing Your Journey 23

2. Setting the Stage for Literature Discussions 25
What We Know 26
Examples From Our Journey 30
Ideas That Get Us Started 35
Continuing Your Journey 43

3. Choosing Books That Prompt Involvement in Text Discussion 44
What We Know 45
Examples From Our Journey 47
Ideas That Get Us Started 56
Continuing Your Journey 61

4. Young Children’s Responses to Literature 63
What We Know 64
Examples From Our Journey 70
Ideas That Get Us Started 75
Continuing Your Journey 82

5. Literature Discussion to Support Literacy Skills 84
What We Know 85
Examples From Our Journey 92
Ideas That Get Us Started 96
Continuing Your Journey 98

6. A Holistic Approach to Literature Discussion 100
What We Know 102
Examples From Our Journey 106
Ideas That Get Us Started 111
Continuing Your Journey 114

7. Planning for the Literature Discussion 116
What We Know 117
Examples From Our Journey 123
Ideas That Get Us Started 129
Continuing Your Journey 136

Conclusion 137

Appendix: Resources for Your Learning Journey 141

References 147

Index 155

About the Authors 163

Sherry Sanden, a former preschool and primary teacher, is associate professor of early childhood literacy in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University. Cassandra Mattoon teaches kindergarten at the Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School at Illinois State University. Sandra L. Osorio, a former bilingual early childhood teacher, is an associate professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University.