Buy my book, Beyond Retelling, at TARGET!

Target actually sells my book!  I am pleased!!!!

http://www.target.com/Beyond-Retelling-Higher-level-Thinking-Paperback/dp/B002LIWBMY

Gradual Release – What Language Do You Like?

Authors Take a Concept and Apply Their Own Language.  What is the Gradual Release Language that works for you?

Linda Dorn and Carla Soffos writes in their book, Literate Minds (2005): 1. Modeling 2. Coaching  3. Scaffolding 4. Fading

Regie Routman writes in her book, Reading Essentials (2003): 1. Demonstration 2. Shared Demonstration 3. Guided Practice 4. Independent Practice

Pat Johnson writes in her book, One Child at a Time (2006): 1. Modeling 2. Scaffolding 3. Prompting 4. Backing Off 5. Reinforcing

Fountas and Pinnell writes in Guiding Readers and Writers (2001): 1. Show 2. Support 3. Prompt 4. Reinforce 5. Observe

Deb Renner Smith writes about  in Beyond Retelling and on this blog: I Do, We Do, You Do

Beyond Retelling Toward Higher Level Thinking and Big Ideas

Beyond Retelling By Deb Renner Smith and Patricia Cunningham

My book, Beyond Retelling, encourages the students to have deep thinking.  Students figure out how to think about the Big Idea.  They experience higher level thinking skills.

Beyond Retelling

http://www.allynbaconmerrill.com/authors/bio.aspx?a=9ff52629-7f85-44b5-b756-cb9f8d1939c8

Thinking Theme Read Aloud

Thinking Theme Charts

My book:  Beyond Retelling

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Retelling-Toward-Higher-Thinking/dp/0205542174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271400883&sr=8-1

Beyond Retelling: I wrote this book!

 

http://www.allynbaconmerrill.com/authors/bio.aspx?a=9ff52629-7f85-44b5-b756-cb9f8d1939c8

Sunday’s Session Thinking Theme

Pat and I are very thankful for each and every teacher (and educator) who attended the session.  Our session’s room held 75.  People stood by the walls, sat on the floors, kept the backdoors open, the side doors open, and were quiet as mice so over 120 people were in the room and over 50-75 patiently strained to hear outside the room.  We are grateful.  Today at 10:30 we have a book signing at 10:30 at the Pearson booth, 800, in the exhibit hall.  International Reading Association attendance is way down to roughly 3700 attendees this February.  We are appreciative for each and every person who attended our session.

Sunday, February 22 Comprehension Strategy: Thinking Theme

See you there!  International Reading Association in Phoenix.  Pat Cunningham and I will talk about how to do the Thinking Theme Strategy.  We have movie footage of students.  It is awesome!

Books to teach Courage

                                 

The teacher and students read lots of books about a theme.  The students are studying a character trait or theme.  The students easily identify the theme in a book. 

Which characters in _____ (name of the book) do you think show courage, and how do they show it?

Presenting February 22, Sunday at International Reading Association

 

Pat Cunningham and I are presenting our book at the International Reading Association on Sunday.  Our session is Comprehension Strategy:  Thinking Theme (Higher Level Thinking and Big Ideas).  It is hosted in the Phoenix Convention Center in room W211B.  I can’t wait!  I hope to see you all there!

My Defining Moments

Dr. Phil says you have life defining moments. I can’t remember if he said there were 5 or 7, but I have been thinking about some of mine.

1. When I was nine days old I had meningitis.

I survived and thrived in spite of it due to miracles and my parents’ belief in me. I learned to read & write. I even became an author, a teacher, a public speaker… all against the odds. I believe this is because my parents’ never doubted that I could do anything I wanted. I was provided with the best education opportunities. I was given lots of parental support and the belief that I could do and be anything I wanted to be.

2. Not getting the dream teaching job in the dream district ended up a blessing.

I was given the opportunity and freedom to make lots of wise-instructional decisions in my classroom. The district and school I worked in believed that teachers were smart and wise and capable. We were provided with lots of professional development.

3. Freedom to make decisions in the classroom.

This freedom in my classroom allowed me to implement Four Blocks and meet Pat Cunningham and Dottie Hall. They visited my classroom while I taught. They included me in their Four Blocks leadership conferences. I presented with them at the International Reading Association for numerous years. This lead to my opportunity of being published with Carson Dellosa.

4. Pat Cunningham

Meeting Pat Cunningham allowed me to publish with Pearson, Allyn and Bacon. My book, Beyond Retelling, has opened many doors for me through presentations and workshops. The comprehension strategy, Thinking Theme, leads to deep comprehension thinking that many students find helpful as they read.

5. David

Meeting my husband at a young age. We have provided a stable environment for our children. We have raised them in the same, small home town that we were raised, near my parents. As our children prepare to enter college, we reflect on the conservative values of small town living.