My Summer Must Reads

Two books I've read this summer have had a great impact on my thinking about literacy instruction at the elementary level.  The first focuses on writing instruction.  Katie Wood Ray's book Wondrous Words: Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom takes a look at the art of writing.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been guilty of focusing so heavily on the correctness or organization or general grammatical conventions that my students are left composing neat orderly pieces that lack much excitement.  Real authors use crafting techniques that we too should be teaching our students.  Ray helps us focus on incorporating writer's crafts into our writer's workshop lessons.  The book is practical, useful, and wondrous!

Next, is the daily 5!  When reading several blogs this summer I kept coming across the daily 5.  I had to order it.  Wow, what a great take on the literacy block.  Recently I've been in a school that relies heavily on a basal program as many of you may be.  Even with a required basal program I believe the book will change the way students engage in activities while I am teaching small groups.  The five activities the students focus on are: read to self, read to someone, work on writing, word work, and listen to reading.  The book includes sound literacy practices that provide students with ownership in the learning while fostering independence.  Pick up your copy today for easy to implement reading program with the research to back it up.  For more information check out the two sisters website The Two Sister - the daily 5.

What do you think?  Have you read some great books this summer that have impacted your teaching style?  Do you already use the daily 5?  I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment.