Building academic literacy : engaging all learners in every classroom /

Building Academic Literacy provides teachers and instructional leaders with pedagogical strategies that promote academic literacy and higher-order thinking skills. The authors bill the text as a "coach-in-pocket," in which they make suggestions, explain why the suggestions should work, and ask questions to help readers reflect on teaching and learning and troubleshoot if necessary. Chapters are written in an accessible manner with explanations of each topic; examples drawn from classrooms, which vary by grade and subject; suggestions of specific strategies to use that engage learners in disciplined thinking; and prompts to help readers reflect on implementation. All activities discussed are meant to purposefully engage learners in developing knowledge and/or skills. The authors are clearly concerned about always engaging every student in learning, promoting higher-order thinking, and further developing language skills. This book is recommended for pre-service teachers, teacher-practitioners, and school leaders who are interested in finding ways to guide students to higher levels of thinking, help them use literacy more effectively, and take greater ownership of their learning. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through practitioners. --Amy Hsu, State University of New York College at Old Westbury