Teaching Literacy: Engaging the Imagination of New Readers and Writers

"A fascinating piece of writing, presenting ideas that are fresh and exciting." -Katherine Taddie Kelly, Literacy Coach and Reading Interventionist Waco Independent School District, TX   "Focuses on enhancing students′ metalinguistic awareness and not just their intuitive use of words, fostering the development of higher mental functions." -Elena Bodrova, Senior Researcher McREL Bring out the fun in fundamentals of literacy! For teachers charged with the great responsibility of helping students achieve basic literacy, delivering instruction in stimulating and engaging ways is not an ideal-it′s a necessity. Recognizing this, award-winning author and educator Kieran Egan puts the fun in fundamentals of literacy by helping teachers stir students′ imagination and emotions. In Teaching Literacy, Egan rejects the notion that familiar ideas and experiences are the best vehicles for effective instruction. Instead, he champions a new approach that focuses on teaching core literacy skills using concepts ranging from fascinating to exotic to magnificent to weird. By framing the elements of literacy in the unforgettable, students more readily internalize and retain material, not only preparing them for tests, but also instilling a lifelong love of reading and writing. This innovative resource supplies answers to the question, "But how do I do it?" by offering: Tried-and-true activities from practicing classroom teachers "Teachers, Try It Out" features with instructional challenges (and an appendix of possible responses) for everyday classroom practice Step-by-step planning frameworks for designing and delivering engaging literacy instruction Combining playfulness with practicality and creativity with common sense, Egan′s strategies apply to beginning readers at any age, bringing about authentic, enjoyable learning experiences.

Table of Contents:
Preface Two Sources of This Approach Cognitive Tools in Everyday Teaching Practice Literacy Learners, Young and Old(er) The Cognitive Tool Kits of Language and Literacy Planning Frameworks Using Cognitive Tools Acknowledgements About the Author Part I: The Cognitive Toolkit of Oral Language 1. Using the Story Form: Meeting Objectives by Engaging Feelings Stories and Feelings Stories in the Classroom Inventing Comic Characters Personifying Elements of Language Creating a Literacy Adventure Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 2. Images We Care About: Too, Two, and To Images Aid Memory and Understanding Tying Concepts to Images From Images to Letter Representation Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 3. Binary Opposites: Goldilocks and Civil War Using Opposites to Expand Upon Understanding Mediating Binary Opposites Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 4. Literal and Metaphoric Talk: “Like a Spring-Woken Tree” Recognizing and Reflecting on Language Similes Metaphors Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 5. Jokes: Drawing the Drapes Joking and “Seeing” Language Humor in Amelia Bedelia Reading Puzzles Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 6. Rhyme and Rhythm: Mickey Mouse’s Underwear Echo Rhymes Rhyme and Rhythm: Ring, Rang, Rung Nursery Rhymes Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 7. Living Knowledge: Barbie and The Matrix Embedding Knowledge in Students’ Lifeworlds Children′s Lifeworlds Conclusion to Part I Part II: The Cognitive Tool Kit of Literacy 8. Extremes: The Queueing Subbookkeeper The Strange, Exotic, Different, and Wonderful Fascinating Reality Metalinguistic Awareness Exploring Extremes Wonder in the Classroom Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 9. Everyday Heroes: Spiderman and the Comma Heroizing Literacy Tasks Heroes in the Classroom Heroic Experiences Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 10. Human Contexts: John Montagu, The Earl of Sandwich Knowledge in a Meaningful Context Linking Language With Purpose Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 11. Collections and Hobbies: Alphabets and Beanie Babies Collecting Letters and Words Literacy as a Hobby Teachers, Try It Out Final Words 12. Graphic Organizers: Lists and Flowcharts From the Ear to the Eye Visual Tools Teachers, Try It Out Final Words Conclusion to Part II Part III: Planning Frameworks 13. Framework 1 Mythic Planning Framework Example: A Lesson on Homonyms 14. Framework 2 The Romantic Planning Framework Example: A Lesson on the Comma The Frameworks and You Conclusion Appendix: Responses to the "Teachers, Try It Out" Questions by Gillian C. Judson References Index

About the Author :
Kieran Egan is Professor of Education at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, as well as founder and director of the Imaginative Education Research Group (www.ierg.net). He has authored and edited over twenty books, many of which have been translated into European and Asian languages. In 1991, he won the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Education for his book, Primary Understanding: Education in Early Childhood. Born in Clonmel, Ireland, Kieran Egan was raised and educated in England. He graduated from London University with a B.A. in History, and from Cornell University with a Ph.D. in Education. In 1993, he was elected to the Royal Society of Canada. He is a foreign associate member of the National Academy of Education and holds a Canada Research Chair in Education.

Review :
"A fascinating piece of writing, presenting ideas that are fresh and exciting." "Focuses on enhancing students′ metalinguistic awareness and not just their intuitive use of words, fostering the development of higher mental functions." "A fun, revealing guide acknowledging that an atmosphere of fun, familiar ideas and experiences promote effective instruction. Offers a new approach designed to present classroom teachers with intriguing, different activities. Chapters offer challenges for student and teacher alike and encourage lessons which are refreshingly different."