Learn when and how to teach the Guided Reading block using Guided Reading the Four-Blocks(R) Way for grades 1–3. This 224-page book gives a glimpse into classrooms that use the Guided Reading model within a balanced literacy program. The book includes a list of materials needed, comprehension skills and strategies, and activities for before, during, and after reading a text. It also includes a list of children's literature. The book supports the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model.

Meet the learning needs and preferences of all students using Children with Disabilities: Reading and Writing the Four-Blocks(R) Way for students in grades 1–3. This 144-page book provides a glimpse into an inclusion special-education classroom that uses the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model. This wonderful collection of ideas, strategies, and resources includes information on Self-Selected Reading, Guided Reading, Writing, and Working with Words. It also includes strategies for reading and writing success in special-education classrooms, variations for students with disabilities, teacher's checklists, IEP goal suggestions, examples of assistive technology, and answers to commonly asked questions. The book supports the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model and provides a list of children's literature that can be used in lessons.

Meet the needs of all learners using differentiated instruction through the Big-Blocks(TM) Literacy Model in grades 4–8. Checklists for Implementing Big Blocks(TM) provides guidance for teachers and administrators. This 80-page book includes Self-Selected Reading, Writing, Guided Reading, and Working with Words. It covers self-evaluation, identifying areas for improvement, lesson planning, understanding Big Blocks(TM), assisting teachers with implementation, observing and evaluating teachers, and planning staff development. This book supports the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model and includes children's literature references.

This hands-on book presents an innovative approach to guided reading that is manageable even for teachers who are new to small-group, differentiated reading instruction. --from publisher description.

Let students in grades 1–3 learn about language using their favorite literature in Rounding Up the Rhymes! Students learn about rhymes, word families, and spelling patterns as they read and study the literature selections. Lessons are based on 92 popular children’s books, making this resource a favorite of both students and teachers. This 192-page book supports the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model and includes step-by-step directions.

Three common routines are seen in almost every primary language arts programs: morning messages, shared readings, and word walls. These routines should be integrated to support the total language arts program, but are teachers of grades K-2 getting the most bang for their buck out of these activities? Morning messages can become very routinized and repeat the same experiences over and over again. Shared readings are sometimes conducted with little variation in spite of changing demands from the texts being used and changing needs in the learners with whom they are being used. Word walls might be put up with some attention early in the year and remain virtually unchanged as the year moves forward. Intensifying Classroom Routines in Reading and Writing Programs focuses on how teachers can get more instructional mileage out of these three common classroom routines. Author Michael P. Ford lays out step-by-step, day-by-day plans to put those three key routines on a cycle that changes as students move through developmental phases. This resource helps teachers plan for emergent and early readers and writers. It also looks at how teachers can assist students as they move through critical areas, including concepts of print, alphabetic knowledge, phonological awareness, sound-symbol relationships, high-frequency words, structural analysis, context clues, comprehension strategies, and composition strategies. With these intensified routines in place, students will clearly see connections between reading and writing.

Write on! Writing the Four-Blocks(R) Way gives teachers of grades K–6 a glimpse into writing classrooms throughout the school year. This resource includes ideas for setting up a writing classroom, motivating students to write and keep writing, teaching reading through writing, supporting struggling writers, and teaching different genres. This 240-page book supports the Four-Blocks(R) Literacy Model and features lessons on editing, revising, sharing, and publishing.

This resource is designed to help administrators know what to look for when they observe Four-Blocks teachers. Included are valuable planning and observation checklists, sample lessons, and much more!

The diversity of student populations in the United States presents educators with many challenges. To provide effective reading instruction for the individual student, teachers must understand the enormous variety of reading methods and materials that exist and make independent decisions based on their students' particular needs. Research indicates that educators are often influenced by reading instruction fads that quickly fade, making it more challenging to develop a repertoire of teaching strategies in which a teacher may have confidence. This book examines a variety of reading methods used in American schools from the 19th to the 21st century, and the literature promoting or critiquing them, to help teachers become informed decision makers and better meet the needs of students.