Inside Information: Developing Powerful Readers and Writers of Informational Text Through Project-Based Instruction

by Nell Duke

Overview

Most teachers understand the importance of teaching children to read and write informational text. But how do they do it effectively? And in a way that is truly engaging? Nell K. Duke has the answer. With this book, she shows teachers how to build skills in reading and writing major informational text types—informative/explanatory, procedural/how-to, persuasive, nonfiction narrative, and biographical—through project-based instruction. Children read and write for real purposes and real audiences on topics that matter to them. In the process, they make a difference in the world. Drawing from the latest research, Duke explains how to design and carry out instruction, providing a blueprint for developing project-based units from start to finish—units that move children through a logical progression of phases: Project Launch, Reading and Research, Writing and Research, Revision and Editing, and Presentation and Celebration. Packed with clear, precise connections to Common Core State Standards, classroom-tested teaching ideas, and the work of practicing teachers and their students, this book will become an essential resource for years to come. For use with Grades K-5.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545667685
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/01/2014
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	5 - 10 Years

About the Author

Nell K. Duke, Ed.D., is a professor of literacy, language, and culture and faculty affiliate in the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan. Duke’s award-winning research focuses on early literacy development, particularly among children living in poverty. Her specific areas of expertise include development of informational reading and writing in young children, comprehension development and instruction in early schooling, and issues of equity in literacy education. She is author and co-author of numerous journal articles and book chapters as well as co-editor of the Handbook of Effective Literacy Instruction: Research-Based Practice K-8 (Guilford) and co-author of Literacy and the Youngest Learner (Scholastic) and Reading and Writing Genre with Purpose in K–8 Classrooms (Heinemann).

Table of Contents

Foreword Ellin Oliver Keene 4

Preface: The Rise of Informational Text, or Be Careful What You Wish For! 6

Part 1 A Foundation 11

Chapter 1 The Power of Project-Based Instruction 11

Chapter 2 Designing Project-Based Units to Teach Informational Reading and Writing 25

Part 2 Project Phases 59

Chapter 3 The Project Launch 59

Chapter 4 The Reading and Research Phase 74

Chapter 5 The Writing and Research Phase 119

Chapter 6 The Revision and Editing Phase 158

Chapter 7 The Presentation and Celebration Phase 174

Part 3 Next Steps 180

Chapter 8 Making Project-Based Instruction Professionally Manageable 180

Appendices 187

Appendix A Project-Based Unit Planning Template 187

Appendix B Sample Project-Based Unit Planning Sheet 189

Appendix C Sample Informational Text Reading and Writing Interest Survey 195

Professional References Cited 198

Children's Books Cited 205

Index 206

About the Author 208