Getting Beyond "Interesting": Teaching Students the Vocabulary of Appeal to Discuss Their Reading

Table of Contents:
Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Part One A Plan for Implementing the Teaching of Appeal Terms and Book Hooks Making the Case for Teaching Appeal Terms Concepts If Only It Were So Easy… You Don't Want To Make Any Sudden Moves Around Reluctant Readers… While We're At It, Subject Headings Aren't Much Help Either?… … and Plot Summaries Are the Kiss of Death In a Nutshell Making the Case for Teaching Book Hook Writing What is a Book Hook? Sharing Book Hooks Book Hooks = Sharing Reading Systematically Sharing Is Not Always Caring (A Word or Two of Caution) How Are Book Hooks Shared? Really, It's Best to Start Low Tech Low Tech in the ELA Classroom Low Tech in the Library Low Tech Just Outside the Library—The Library Bulletin Board Low Tech in the Building Then Ramp the Technology Up… In a Nutshell A Proposal for Administration Workshops for the English Language Arts Department Appeal Terms Workshop Activities for the English Language Arts Department Introductory Appeal Terms Activities 1. The Vocabulary of Appeal 2. What Should I Read Next? 3. The Reading Survey 4. Summary vs. Appeal Terms Middle Appeal Terms Activities 1. Whole-Group-Appeal Terms 2. Appeal Terms Carousel Closing Appeal Terms Activities 1. Sorting and/or Collapsing the Vocabulary of Appeal 2. Broadening the Vocabulary of Appeal 3. Selecting Appeal Terms to Teach Book Hook Workshop Activities for the English Language Arts Department Introducing the Workshop Introductory Book Hook Activities 1. The Book Hook Form 2. The Book Hook Worksheet Form 3. So, What Is a Book Hook and How Do I Write One? 4. Plot-Based Descriptions vs. Book Hooks 5. Book Hooks vs. Blurbs and Reviews Middle Book Hook Activities 1. Favorite Picture Books 2. Winston the Book Wolf Book Hooks 3. Writing Book Hooks for Favorite Picture Books 4. Writing Book Hooks for Short Stories Closing Book Hook Activities 1. A Rubric for Book Hooks 2. Customizing the Book Hook 3. Formalizing an Official Book Hook Procedure 4. Book Hooks Bulletin Boards Part Two On to the Students Activities to Teach Appeal Terms to Students 1. The Reading Survey Lesson 2. Introducing the Experience of Appeal Terms Lesson 3. Appeal Terms Defined/Assigning Appeal Terms (ongoing) 4. Expanding the Vocabulary of Appeal (ongoing) 5. Appeal Terms Carousel 6. Using the Arts to Deepen the Understanding of Appeal Terms Activities to Teach Book Hook Writing to Students 1. What's the Hook? (Lesson) 2. Visit by Walter Dean Myers—What's the Hook? Lesson 3. The Text Engagement Conversation and Reading Log Entries (ongoing) 4. Summarizing (lesson and ongoing) 5. Building a Book Hook A Closing Thought Appendix A: Reproducible Forms A-1 The Book Hook A-2 Proposal for Administration Worksheet A-3 Reading Survey A-4 Summary vs. Appeal Terms A-5 Appeal Terms Worksheet A-6 Book Hook Worksheet A-7 So, What Is a Book Hook and How Do I Write One? A-8 Plot-Based Descriptions vs. Book Hooks A-9 Book Hook Rubric A-10 Appeal Bookmarks Appendix B: Resources B-1 Student Appeal List B-2 Library Book Hooks List #1 B-3 Library Book Hooks List #2 B-4 What Should I Read Next? Why? B-5 Picture Book Bibliography Alphabetical by Title B-7 Book Hooks Without Covers Alphabetical by Title B-8 Book Hooks for Winston the Book Wolf B-9 What Appeals to You? B-10 Appeal Terms Glossary Bibliography Index CD-ROM Contents (Please see the About This Book section for suggestions for how to use these.) Items: B-6: Excel Spreadsheet of Short Story Book Hooks (With Appeal Terms)

About the Author :
Olga M. Nesi, MLS, is library coordinator for the Office of Library Services in the New York City Department of Education.

Review :
Ms. Nesi details a plan for teaching students and teachers to use expressive appeal terms when describing books. . . . The book and accompanying CD detail the process of teaching appeal terms and Book Hook writing, and include all tools needed. . . . Highly recommended. Authored by a library coordinator for the Office of Library Services in the New York City Department of Education, this work will help teachers and librarians with students of any age to better guide the children through identifying what they like about books, building their appreciation of literature and their literary analysis skills. . . . This is a valuable addition to any school library's professional development collection, and can also be used by college-level educators of English literature courses.