Building Adolescent Literacy in Today's English Classrooms - 9780325013947

Bomer, director of the Heart of Texas Writing Project and professor of pre-service English teachers at the University of Texas, provides ideas for preparing students to participate in a globalized, digital world. Within a framework for making key instructional decisions, the book explains how to understand adolescents' literacy needs through effective assessment, how to develop flexible routines that support students' interests, and how to develop a curriculum that connects students to the world. Section 1 describes classroom structures that invite engagement and covers assessment, academic literacy, and college readiness. Section 2 addresses topics such as teaching skills related to fluency and comprehension and teaching toward great conversations. Section 3 gives ideas on teaching writing with tools such as writers' notebooks, taking on ethical and social values in writing, and genre studies. Section 4 examines curriculum issues such as working toward tests without insulting students' intelligence. The book includes numerous classroom and student vignettes, margin notes, and large margins with space for readers' written notes. An appendix lists 13 genres (such as short story, essay, drama, policy argument, and websites) and four possible goals within each genre. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)