Reading aloud is often considered an elementary classroom activity, but think again. Lesesne offers research and classroom evidence that confirm reading aloud as a valid strategy for all ages of students. She also includes annotated lists of professional books that provide rationales and suggestions for teachers, as well as books, recent and…

Explains a shift in reading instruction theories, from defining reading as a set of discrete skills to understanding the role prior knowledge plays in comprehension. Presents annotations of 11 web sites that give teachers ideas about how to help students construct meaning and how to transact with text in powerful ways. Notes that these strategies…

Lists 17 resources that may serve as a springboard to help teachers familiarize themselves with a wide variety of literature and teaching strategies to include cultures from around the globe in the classroom with responsibility and respect. (SR)

Considers how colleges and universities are turning their first-year composition courses into computer-intensive writing experiences, and sooner or later this momentum will push computers into secondary language arts classrooms. Presents annotations of seven websites that offer teaching ideas for middle school language arts. (SG)

Presents two lists of young adult literature titles totaling 100 works. Notes that the first list includes books with lasting appeal and the second list includes some new and notable books to fill a summer reading list. (SG)

Presents student-written summaries about nine science fiction, mysteries, humor, historical fiction, classics, and books that may become classics that the students felt were the best books they ever read. (SG)

Identifies a number of growth paths from 15 years of experimenting with Literature Circles. Presents an annotated bibliography of seven collections of very short fiction the author has been using to create collaboration minilessons. Notes that microfictions work on every level, are packed with craft, and often feature a surprising synthesis or…

Provides an annotated list of 12 web sites to turn to for information concerning the ramifications of high-stakes testing. (SG)

Suggests some criteria for evaluating young adult (YA) literature. Presents three ideas for criteria, and annotations of 12 YA novels published in 2001 or 2002 that meet the criteria. (SG)

Suggests that if adolescents are going to get hooked on poetry and read and write more than an occasional sample, they need to have teachers share with them poetry they will enjoy. Considers a study by Karen Kutiper of middle school student poetry preference. Presents conclusions from this study along with a list of the 25 most popular poems. (SG)

Suggests three main characteristics middle school students can look for when deciding whether a Web site has reliable information. Encourages students to "Think APE": Author, Purpose, and Expiration date. Presents an annotated list of eight Web sites to help build Web literacy. (SG)

Shares some novels that can reinvigorate a "dormant reader." Presents annotations of nine titles and some additional titles related to the main nine titles. (SG)

Presents an annotated bibliography of nine books that kids think are great. Recommends the books on the basis of pure enjoyment. (SG)

Presents a short introduction by teacher Nancie Atwell to her eighth-grade student Joe Powning's annotated list of his nine favorite funny books. (SR)

Considers how read-alouds motivate students who might be less than motivated readers and can also introduce avid readers to a world of books they might not otherwise find on their own. Suggests and describes 11 books to read aloud to the entire class. Lists 4 books suggested for individual readers. (SG)