Beyond Retelling
Toward Higher Level Thinking and Big Ideas
Published on 12. July 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-205-54217-8 (ISBN)
Description
Patricia Cunningham and Debra Renner Smith help close the literacy gap and achieve academic success for all students with
Beyond Retelling:
Toward Higher Level Thinking and Big Ideas!
To meet today's educational demands, Patricia Cunningham and Debra Renner Smith present teachers with a framework based on years of reading research to help students attain higher level thinking skills and develop their ability to think critically about what they read. Their "Thinking Theme" lesson framework allows teachers to pose "The Big Question" and support students as they think about "The Big Idea." With the guidance of Pat and Deb, teachers will find their students will be able to formulate thoughtful answers to the big question and will move from proficiency to literacy achievement.
Reviewers Can't Put This Book Down!
"In an era of phonics-based instruction, especially for students in poverty and English Language Learners, it is refreshing to see a balanced view of what good reading instruction can look like.... Additionally, the lessons described in Beyond Retelling demonstrate that all students are capable of deep thinking about their reading.... Beyond Retelling is a phenomenal book."
-Sheila Bostrom, Thomson Elementary, Brush, CO
"The authors have done an amazing job and have hit upon one of the biggest issues confronting teaching reading today. In a time when teachers are pressured to cover material at a lightening pace, higher level thinking skills are not being taught as they should. This book reminds us that we should be creating critical thinkers and lifelong learners..."
-Pam B. Cole, Department Chair, Kennesaw State University
This book will become a must-read for any teacher whose state requires students to be evaluated on the higher level thinking processes of synthesis, analysis, evaluation, or application as they move through elementary and middle school!
Beyond Retelling:
Toward Higher Level Thinking and Big Ideas!
To meet today's educational demands, Patricia Cunningham and Debra Renner Smith present teachers with a framework based on years of reading research to help students attain higher level thinking skills and develop their ability to think critically about what they read. Their "Thinking Theme" lesson framework allows teachers to pose "The Big Question" and support students as they think about "The Big Idea." With the guidance of Pat and Deb, teachers will find their students will be able to formulate thoughtful answers to the big question and will move from proficiency to literacy achievement.
Reviewers Can't Put This Book Down!
"In an era of phonics-based instruction, especially for students in poverty and English Language Learners, it is refreshing to see a balanced view of what good reading instruction can look like.... Additionally, the lessons described in Beyond Retelling demonstrate that all students are capable of deep thinking about their reading.... Beyond Retelling is a phenomenal book."
-Sheila Bostrom, Thomson Elementary, Brush, CO
"The authors have done an amazing job and have hit upon one of the biggest issues confronting teaching reading today. In a time when teachers are pressured to cover material at a lightening pace, higher level thinking skills are not being taught as they should. This book reminds us that we should be creating critical thinkers and lifelong learners..."
-Pam B. Cole, Department Chair, Kennesaw State University
This book will become a must-read for any teacher whose state requires students to be evaluated on the higher level thinking processes of synthesis, analysis, evaluation, or application as they move through elementary and middle school!
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 191 mm
Weight
259 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-54217-8 (9780205542178)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Meet the Authors
Patricia M. Cunningham is a Professor of Education at Wake Forest University. She has over 30 years of experience, taught in various elementary grades and remedial reading, and was a curriculum coordinator and director of reading. Her major professional goal is promoting literacy for all children and currently engages in Four-Blocks (R) workshops and staff development with educators.
Debra Renner Smith is a reading and writing consultant. Deb co-authored Writing Mini-Lessons for Second Grade with Dorothy Hall and Patricia Cunningham. She was a contributing author to True Stories from Four Blocks Stories Edited by Cunningham and Hall (chapter 5). She taught kindergarten, fourth, and second grades in Michigan for twelve years and worked to develop curriculum using the Four-Blocks (R) Literacy Model linked to Michigan standards. Deb is currently involved in Four-Blocks (R) workshops and staff development that involves training, modeling, coaching, and collaborative conversations with teachers and administrators across the United States. School districts whose teachers have attended Deb's customized professional development courses and implemented the methods she presents have experienced significant positive impacts on student achievement. Deb's thorough modeling of techniques gives them the practical how-to information that teachers need most of all for immediate success in their classrooms. Deb excels in discussing best practices when coaching. Her belief is that every teacher can teach reading and writing well and her mission is to help that happen! Deb continues to share literacy techniques at International Reading conferences.
Patricia M. Cunningham is a Professor of Education at Wake Forest University. She has over 30 years of experience, taught in various elementary grades and remedial reading, and was a curriculum coordinator and director of reading. Her major professional goal is promoting literacy for all children and currently engages in Four-Blocks (R) workshops and staff development with educators.
Debra Renner Smith is a reading and writing consultant. Deb co-authored Writing Mini-Lessons for Second Grade with Dorothy Hall and Patricia Cunningham. She was a contributing author to True Stories from Four Blocks Stories Edited by Cunningham and Hall (chapter 5). She taught kindergarten, fourth, and second grades in Michigan for twelve years and worked to develop curriculum using the Four-Blocks (R) Literacy Model linked to Michigan standards. Deb is currently involved in Four-Blocks (R) workshops and staff development that involves training, modeling, coaching, and collaborative conversations with teachers and administrators across the United States. School districts whose teachers have attended Deb's customized professional development courses and implemented the methods she presents have experienced significant positive impacts on student achievement. Deb's thorough modeling of techniques gives them the practical how-to information that teachers need most of all for immediate success in their classrooms. Deb excels in discussing best practices when coaching. Her belief is that every teacher can teach reading and writing well and her mission is to help that happen! Deb continues to share literacy techniques at International Reading conferences.
Content
Chapter One Why Higher Level Thinking?
Chapter Two The Big Question, The Big Idea and Deep Thinking
Chapter Three A Sample Thinking Theme Lesson
Chapter Four Making the Concept of Theme Kid-Friendly
Chapter Five Linking Characters to Theme
Chapter Six Teaching Children to Write Responses about Characters and Theme
Chapter Seven A Sample Lesson Comparing Theme Across Two Selections
Chapter Eight Organizing for Thinking Theme Lessons Across the Year
References
Common Themes and Books that Support these Themes
Skeleton Charts and Checklists
Chapter Two The Big Question, The Big Idea and Deep Thinking
Chapter Three A Sample Thinking Theme Lesson
Chapter Four Making the Concept of Theme Kid-Friendly
Chapter Five Linking Characters to Theme
Chapter Six Teaching Children to Write Responses about Characters and Theme
Chapter Seven A Sample Lesson Comparing Theme Across Two Selections
Chapter Eight Organizing for Thinking Theme Lessons Across the Year
References
Common Themes and Books that Support these Themes
Skeleton Charts and Checklists