What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction, Fourth Edition

Samuels, S. Jay, and Alan E. Farstrup. What Research has to say About Reading Instruction. 4th ed. Newark: International Reading Association, 2011

If I'm being honest I would have to say two things: 1) I didn't enjoy this book as much as all of the children's literature I've been indulging in, and 2) Out of all the textbooks I read this semester, (which was quite a lot) this would be my 2nd favorite. It is one I plan to keep on my shelf for the long haul.

I read this book cover-to-cover. I don't necessarily know that I would recommend that for everyone. This read is compiled of 18 chapters, all written by different researchers. This book contains some nuggets of research information presented in an understandable and interesting light. If you are looking for information on any of the following topics I would seek out this compilation as a good place to start:

• Critical Importance of Teacher Quality

• The Relation Between Alphabetic Basics, Word Recognition, and Reading

• Eye Movements and Reading: What Teachers Need to Know [very fascinating!]

• Essential Elements of Fostering and Teaching Reading Comprehension

• Reading Fluency: What It Is and What It Is Not

• Reading Engagement Among African American and European American Students [very eye-opening!]

• The Importance of Independent Reading

• Integrating Reading Strategies and Knowledge Building in Adolescent Literacy Instruction

• Developmental Changes in Reading Comprehension: Implications for Assessment and Instruction

• Are Current Reading Research Findings Applicable to Students with Intellectual Disabilities? 

• Research on Reading/Learning Disability Interventions

• Implementing a Response to Intervention Model to Improve Reading Outcomes for All Students

• Technologies, Digital Media, and Reading Instruction

• Teaching Reading in English as a Foreign Language to Young Learners: A Global Reflection

• What the Research Says About Intentional Instruction

• Using Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning [could this topic be any more current?!]

• Parents and Reading: What Teachers Should Know About Ways to Support Productive Home-School Environments [my favorite!]

• Diversity and Literacy [again with the current thing...]

• How Reading Research and Federal Policy on Reading Instruction Have Interrelated Over the Past 35 Years

Captain Awesome Takes a Dive

By: Stan Kirby

Being that I just raved about these books, for the third time, in my last post, I will save you from reading all the same rigmarole for the fourth time. You know I like these books. You know why I like these books. You know my kids LOVE these books. Nuff said.

Book number 4 takes place over summer vacation. Eugene and Charlie (AKA Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man) get into plenty of trouble and commit many harrowing rescues while taking swim lessons at the local swimming pool. Unfortunately for them, they are unable to escape many of their unfavorite people from school. Another book well worth reading!

Captain Awesome and the New Kid

By: Stan Kirby

And the Captain Awesome saga continues...I think it stills holds true, in my mind at least, that the first one of the series is the best. That being said, all the others I've read have definitely been worth reading.

I love using these books to work on reciprocal teaching (predicting, questioning, clarifying, summarizing) with my kids. I think, in part, it works so well because they follow the story line so closely. They still BEG for these books to be read every day. 

My favorite thing about reading these books to my class are the **GASP** opportunities. A teacher loves nothing more than stopping in the middle of the chapter, closing the book, and saying, "We will read more tomorrow," when they know it will provoke that **GASP** from their students quickly followed by a plead to read just one more page! (I do this to my kids every day...if they only knew that their reaction was what eggs me on :) 

In this book a new kid, Sally, moves onto Captain Awesome's block. Of course, due to the fact that she's new AND a girl, Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man have no other option but to expect the worst of her. The whole book is one big adventure trying to get to the bottom of Sally's real identity.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

By: Eric Litwin

I have more than one Pete the Cat book in my classroom, but this is the first one I ever read so I decided to add it to my blog. These books are great! They are funny, the pictures are very colorful, and they make for great educational tools. Pete the Cat can help teach counting, keeping a good attitude, and most certainly prediction. There is a repetitious portion of the story in every book and children soon catch on and are able to easily predict what might come next. Also, these books are very easy reads so emergent readers, between sounding things out, sight words, and the repetition of the story, may quickly feel confident enough to tackle these books on their own.

King Pig

By: Nick Bland

Need a new spin on the golden rule? Then, this is the perfect book to add to your library! King Pig feels sad because he doesn't have any friends. He thinks he treats all his servants (sheep) splendidly and he just can't understand why no one likes him. He decides something has got to change so he tries to win the sheep over using several different tactics. Alas, to no avail! Eventually, there is only one thing left for King Pig to do: ask the sheep why they dislike him so. The sheep are brave and give an honest answer only for King Pig to be astonished. After much reflection King Pig is able to admit to his wrongs and makes haste to correct his erroneous ways. 

This adorable book does a great job teaching a lesson of kindness in a way that young minds can understand. If you have an anti-bullying policy at your school (or in your home) this book would be a great ice breaker for talking about that.

Chrysanthemum

By: Kevin Henkes

I can't seem to recall which children's show it was, but I first heard this book read on some PBS show. Reading Rainbow, perhaps? All I know is that when I saw it in the last Scholastic order I placed I knew I had to have it. It is one of those books that just instantly takes me back to a time and place when life was uncomplicated and care-free. I don't know that I love the story so much as I do the feeling and emotions that are tied to reading this book for me. Even so, it is a really fun read with vivid pictures and a lesson to be learned. 

Chrysanthemum thinks she has the loveliest name ever. That is until she goes to her first day of school and all the kids in her class tell her otherwise. She finds it hard to make friends and begins to feel down on herself. Then, a special someone comes along and makes all the difference in the world. Chrysanthemum goes back to thinking she is something special and her classmates soon begin to realize the same.

The 3 Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

By: Mark Teague

I've started a collection of all the 3 little pigs books I can find. I think this one makes #5 in my classroom. It is great to have multiple twists on the same story when you teach little ones. There are so many mini lessons to be had! Comparing and contrasting characters, setting, plot, finding the climax, beginning, middle, ending, categorizing, and on and on the list goes. 

It is a toss up as to whether this is my favorite version or if The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Alexander T. Wolf is my favorite. They are both very cleverly written. I must say that this variation does have the best ending. I'd highly recommend adding it to your collection, even if you aren't aiming to create a 3 little pigs collection like me. 

Captain Awesome vs. Nacho Cheese Man

Kirby, Stan. Captain Awesome vs. Nacho Cheese Man Vol. 2. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2012.  11 vols. Print.

C      Captain Awesome is now reigning supreme in my classroom. My students LOVE him. They ask about him everyday. If I am not reading one of these books to them they are asking if they can flip through them on their own (even with limited pictures!!!). We have now completed the first and second volume and I am on the hunt for the third. Believe you me, my kids will not let me sleep until I tell them I've ordered it and it is on its way!

          I started reading these to my kids as an experiment of sorts. I always try to spend a little time on chapter books in Kindergarten. I think it improves reading comprehension and listening stamina and is therefore important (there's a lot of research to back me...I love when I can say that). However, I usually don't bust out these big boys til closer to the end of the year. I liked the first Captain Awesome so much myself that I thought I'd just give it a try. It took better than I ever expected! What's really amazing about the whole situation is that my low kids are the ones following the story line and begging for these books to be read more so than anyone else in the class. This makes me one happy teacher! I don't care what it costs. I will own every Captain Awesome book by the end of this year.

           Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the book! Haha! The first one is still my favorite, but this one is good and humorous too. Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man have to fight the evil Mr. Drools to try to keep him from ruining all their things, especially Captain Awesome's ever-so-beloved Super Dude Comic No. 429! (After all, Super Dude was their inspiration for becoming superheros in the first place). Everything goes awry when Captain Awesome suspects Nacho Cheese Man of stealing his Super Dude Comic No. 429. To make matters worse, Nacho Cheese Man gives Captain Awesome's bus seat to Meredith Mooney, or Little Miss Stinky Pinky, as they so lovingly refer to her as. Both boys become pretty convinced that their little world is crashing in on them and that they will never be friends again.

Greed or Gratitude?

Van Dusen, Chris. If I Built a House. New York: The Penguin Group. 2012.

My students and I got into a great discussion a couple days ago. We were trying to decipher between want and need (this is extremely difficult for the 5 year old mind). I have this adorable book to thank for our little chat.

The little boy in this book creates blue prints for a house he would like to build and live in. His creation is the ritz! It is like futuristic, updated Jetsons. I have to admit there were several things in the book that I thought I'd love to have in my house, like a kitchen that is basically a vending machine...punch in your order and out comes steaming, hot, fresh food! 

With every page we turned my students were all gasping, "I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEED THAT!" or "I HAAAAAAAAVE TO HAAAAAAAAAAAVE THAT!" 

So, when we finished reading we talked about things we need versus things we want. We also talked about all the blessings we have in this country that many other people go without. I explained to them that even as an adult I have to make sure I strike the correct balance between needing and wanting (e.g. do I neeeeeeeeeeed coffee or do I waaaaaaaaaaaaant coffee...definitely guilty for getting this confused on almost a daily basis). 

If you're looking for a fun read with amazing pictures and you'd like to serve up a little side of thankfulness you should definitely give this book a go! You won't be disappointed!

America's Education System Needs to Get Out of a Rut!

Coles, Gerald. Reading Lessons. New York: Hill and Wang. 1998.

This is one of those books that you spend several hours trying to digest. It is also one of those books that you agree with a lot and disagree with a lot. It is also one of those books that you find rather interesting during one reading session and mind-numbingly boring during the next.

If you are an educator, whether in the classroom or at home, this book wouldn't be a bad read for you. The over-arching theme is centered around trying to figure out why the field of education treats things the same way it has for decades when it is very apparent that there are a lot of things that aren't working. Every educator should spend time dwelling on this exact issue. If they don't, they really should choose a different career. 

There is a TED Talk given by Dr. Geoffrey Canada entitled: Our Failing Schools. Enough is Enough. I think Dr. Canada and Mr. Coles would get along splendidly. If you don't read this book you should at least invest 18 minutes of your time to listen to Dr. Canada...good food for thought.

Hard copy or E-book, You Choose!

Trelease, Jim. The Read-Aloud Handbook.7th ed. New York: Penguin Group. 2013.

Trelease quotes a portion of Tom Chiarella's The Problem with Boys...Is Actually a Problem with Men in his Read-Aloud Handbook:

(Discussing concerns for U.S. boys) You're twice as likely as a girl to be diagnosed with an attention-deficit or learning disorder. You're more likely to score worse on standardized reading and writing tests. You're more likely to be held back in school. You're more likely to dropout of school. If you do graduate, you're less likely to go to college. If you do go to college, you will get lower grades and, once again, you will be less likely to graduate. You'll be twice as likely to abuse alcohol, and until you are twenty-four, you are five times as likely to kill yourself. You are more than sixteen times as likely to go to prison. (pg. 158)

My heart was wrenching inside my chest by the time I finished reading this paragraph. All I could picture was my son's name inserted every time I saw the word "you're" in the text. So, what can I do to combat these statistics? While not an exhaustive resource, The Read-Aloud Handbook gives many ideas on how to do just that.

While what I've included in this review is pretty heavy, the majority of this book is not. If I had it my way, this book would be on my school supply list every year and the homework assignment my student's parents would receive would be to read this book and create an iconic model showing how they are going to change the way they run their household in order to create more time for reading. 

If you are a living human being, particularly a dad or male teacher, (you have no idea the impact you are or could be making) you should not let your life continue on another day without reading this book. (Being that it is available on e-readers you could open a new tab and purchase it right now :)). Some of the decisions I make as a parent, a teacher, and an individual will be changed because of this read. I enjoyed this book very much and I think it can go a long way in helping America solve a lot of our problems, educational or otherwise. The only obstacle is getting people to read and believe!

CHALLENGE: Buy this book, read it, and pass it along to someone you know who might be able to use it!

Another One of Those Graphic Novels...

McLeod, Bob. Superhero ABC. N.p.: Sterling, 2009. 

I know, I know I've got to stop myself from buying and reading these graphic novels. After all, 2 in 1 month is an exorbitant amount. This purchase really was for my son, though. I love the boldness of the pictures and all the hilarious superhero names (Huge Man and Multiplying Mike are among my favorites) in this selection. If you have a young boy who is struggling to learn their ABC's I think this might be just the tool you're looking for. 

My 17 month old son loves this book and will sit through the entire thing, even paying attention to the lay out of the alphabet given at the beginning and end of this book.

Take Noah's Word For It!

Calder, C.J. Muddy Truck. N.p.: Capstone Press, 2012.

Do you have a toddler in your household? If so, you are going to relate to this post better than any other reader. The book I'm reviewing did not make it onto my blog because of its awards or prestige. It is simply in my list of 100 due to the fact that my 17 month old son, Noah, asks to read it every single day, approximately a million times a day. Yes, I even have it memorized, cover to cover. I could "write" the entirety of the book in this review, but I don't want to get myself in trouble for plagiarizing....or something....

Ev      Even though this is a board book, it is a fun, interactive one. There is a little bunny (just like the one that appears on the cover) who appears on each page. It's the child's job not only to listen to the story, but also to find the bunny. This story can also aid your child in learning a few of their colors and numbers 1-3.

          

          Muddy Truck will always have an especially annoying place in my heart. I'll never be able to forget its little plot again. Though, I must admit that the snuggles and giggles I get while reading this book do make it a little treasure in time.

Gut-Buster!

Willems, Mo. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. N.p.: Disney-Hyperion, 2003

This read is certain to get a laugh or two even out of the stiffest of audiences! A bus driver goes on break and asks the reading audience to keep a look out for this pesky pigeon who is determined to drive his bus. Kids get hooked because the pigeon keeps asking their permission to drive the bus. He does his best to convince them that he is very qualified...all to no avail! This is a must-read!

I have only read a few of Mo Willems other works, but after enjoying this cheeky selection I'll be going in search of more.

Abe Lincoln: Father, Gentleman, President

Pope Osborne, Mary. Magic Tree House: Abe Lincoln at Last! Vol. 47. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2011. N. pag. Print.

The life of Abraham Lincoln has always fascinated me. I have a historical fiction picture book that tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's sons, Tad and Willie. I have also read Bill O'Reilly's book Killing Lincoln. So, when I saw a Magic Tree House book on Abraham Lincoln I knew I wanted to read it. Actually, my purpose for reading it was 2-fold: 1) My fascination with Lincoln, 2) My advanced readers always enjoy these books and the 2nd graders at our school read them as part of our curriculum so I wanted to get a taste of one for myself.

I will certainly be reading more of the Magic Tree House books, many of which I already own. I like the general plot and setting ideas which, I assume, carry throughout the Magic Tree House series. I thought this book did a great job at capturing the character of Lincoln, even though it is fiction. I can see why my students enjoy these books so much. The plot was curious with many chapters leaving you hanging. The author did a great job of being informative while allowing the reader to have an imagination. I'll be adding this book to my classroom collection and I can't wait to recommend it to my students!

Multicultural Picture Book

Glass, Calliope. Disney It's a Small World I Love School! New York: Disney Press, 2012.

This multicultural picture book gives a tour of school days around the world. It stops off in the U.S., China, Italy, and South Africa. It gives a little insight into modes of transportation, classes, games, sports, field trips, and foods that kids in each of these countries experience on an average school day. I have another book in my classroom that is similar to this and my students find it fascinating. They love to see the pictures and hear phrases, etc. from different countries. I think it also amazes them to learn that a lot of kids their age lead similar lives even if they live half way around the world.

Judy Moody

Michalak, Jamie. Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. Sommerville: Candlewick Pres, 2011. N. pag. Print.

This book is based on the motion picture written by Megan McDonald and Kathy Waugh.

I know a lot of kids who like the Judy Moody books. I did not really find this book to be funny, but I can picture my students rolling on the floor laughing if I were to read it to them. Judy Moody feels as though her summer is forever destroyed because her best friends and her parents are leaving town for the break. When she finds out her crazy Aunt Opal is going to be her caregiver for the summer she feels summer doom is certain. However, Judy Moody, her brother, Stink, and Aunt Opal have plenty of crazy adventures and Judy's summer turns out to be alright.

This is a great book to use for readers who are just beginning to feel confident enough to give chapter books a go.

BUY, BUY, BUY!

Kirby, Stan. Captain Awesome to the Rescue! Vol. 1. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2012. N. pag. 11 vols. Print.

I needed to read a "boy book" for one of the classes I'm currently taking at Boise State. I decided to start my read a little early in order to try and get a little bit of a head start on my homework load. I wound up loving the book so much that I finished the whole thing in one sitting! It is a very easy read; a chapter book with 10 chapters and a reading level of 3.8.

Eugene McGillicudy is an 8 year old boy who doubles as the super hero Captain Awesome. When his family moves to a new town he is forced to start at a new school and make new friends, all while charged with the task of fighting evil villains such as Queen Sitnkypants, Ms. Beastly, and Little Miss Stinky Pinky. He is elated when he discovers that his new best friend, Charlie, is also a super hero in the disguise of an 8 year old student at Sunnyview Elementary. This comedic read is definitely something little boys will gobble up!

I loved this book so much that I am going in search of the other books, (currently totaling 11, I believe), in the series. I cannot wait until my son is old enough to enjoy them himself!

No matter your age or your gender you should read and own this book!

Dystopian or just Disturbed???

Peate, Robert. The Sun Children. San Bernardino: Robert Peate, 2013. N. pag. Print.

If you have ever felt the urge to take a trip to the "Twilight Zone" you should definitely read this book! That is my weak attempt at not recommending this book. I feel horrible even saying that and, to be honest, I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever read something and then felt the need to tell other people, "Don't bother." 

The plot of this short chapter book, while fairly interesting in and of itself, is, in my opinion, a complete rip off of The Hunger Games. Not only so, there are so many plot holes and the ending is ambiguous to the point of leaving the reader feeling like they just wasted an hour of their life that they will never get back.

In case my complete disdain for the book has not turned you against the idea of reading it, I'll let you in on a few plot details. Cassiopeia is a young twenty-something girl who lives in a world where fertility has completely ended. In order to try to appease their god, the people sacrifice 10 children to the sun every year. Due to infertility, the people realize they have run out of kids and are going to have to start sacrificing young adults. Cassiopeia is chosen to be sacrificed. You may be surprised by her attitude when she hears the news and I can definitely say the end has a twist, not a good one, but one nonetheless.

I do need to make a little amendment to this review. I wrote this after first reading this book. Later on, I learned that, in its current state, The Sun Children is an unfinished work. Something that I'll leave "unamended," my opinion regarding this piece of literature. I can assure you that I will not be reaching into my wallet to add this completed work to my collection, (whenever it arrives on the shelves).

A History of Reading

Manguel, Alberto. A History of Reading. New York: Penguin Group, 1996

How in the world do you make the history of reading so concise that it fits into less than 400 pages? Well, you don't, really. However, Alberto Manguel tried his best to do just that. In his book, A History of Reading, Manguel does explain that this is his take and he has picked out some of the historical points he has termed valuable.

I'm     I've got this burning need within me to be honest, so that's just what I'll do. This book was a required read for me. Was it the best required read? No. Was it the worst? No. There are sections of this book that I found interesting and I also found a few sections that would quite likely cure insomnia. As a resource I think this book would prove useful, especially the timeline that is included in the middle of the book. Something I don't think is necessarily useful or worthwhile: reading this book cover-to-cover. 

Get Current, Lady!

Green, John. Phineas and Ferb Nothing but Trouble. New York: Disney Press, 2010. N. pag. Print.

What's all this crap about comic-esque books, (properly known as graphic novles), getting as much credit as the classics when it comes to the activity known as reading? I don't know about you, but when I was a kid it was okay to peruse such things in your free time, but it certainly wasn't going to get recorded in my weekly reading log. 

I decided that I should get current, even if it kills me, (I don't like reading garbage). So, I went to one of my favorite bookstores, (Hastings - they give great teacher discounts, in case you weren't aware), and chose something off the shelf.

The selection I made for this graphic novel read isn't the most brain-enriching, thrilling book you'll ever find yourself exposed to. When I was searching for a graphic novel I "wanted" to read I was trying to think like my students, (Kindergartners). I knew I'd be adding this book to my classroom collection and I wanted it to be something that would grab their attention and make them want to pull it off the shelf. Often times, my kids come to school telling me about the latest episode of x, y, or z. Thus, I figured a book created around Phineas and Ferb might be a good choice for me.

This book was broken up into two parts, (probably each based around an episode). While it isn't too riveting it does provide for some expansion of vocabulary, especially related to science. Not only so, I could see myself using this book for reciprocal teaching in my classroom as there are plenty of opportunities to make predictions, ask questions, clarify, and of course, summarizing is a good activity to do with any book.

Phineas and Ferb get into plenty of trouble in this short read and their pet platypus, Perry, finds himself wrestling the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Their worlds collide and big sister is forever trying to catch all of them so she can report to Mom. 

So, I have to admit...my ploy worked. I took this book to work with me a day or two after I bought it and it was retrieved from the shelf about 10 minutes into the school day. Not only so, I have spent every day since breaking up fights over who gets to read this book.

I won't have a clear conscience unless I conclude this post by confessing that graphic novels, (in my humble opinion), should receive more credit than I've been willing to give them. If I'm refereeing in the book corner, I don't care what book it is, it's won me over!