Heather Kenyon Casey

Learn how to build and sustain productive community partnerships that support the literacy development of children and adolescents (P–12). Drawing on research that informs effective literacy practices, this book pushes back on singular ideologies, programs, and divisive rhetoric and, instead, embraces an inclusive perspective for supporting literacy development and learning. Readers are encouraged to move beyond debates that divide us and look toward the hard but necessary work of building the partnerships needed to support all students. Productive, Not Polarizing begins with a focus on community literacies and then describes effective literacy practices across grade levels. Designed for a wide audience, it will assist educators, families, and community partners to have informed conversations about what literacy instruction and learning involves. Every chapter includes a Community Snapshot describing a real-life scenario in which a partnering benefits students; an Ideas for Action section that can be adapted to your own context; reflection questions; and a list of helpful resources that include potential sources of funding. Book Features: An accessible, positive discussion of literacy research and practices for educators, families, and community partners. A response to increasingly contentious conversations about literacy instruction. Guidance to help educators engage with key community partners and stakeholders, such as administrators, families, childcare centers, afterschool programs, and local school boards. Opportunities to consider the role of teacher education and professional development in supporting school–community conversations. Ready-to-use resources, such as reproducible materials and community planning and event guides.

Learn how to build and sustain productive community partnerships that support the literacy development of children and adolescents (P–12). Drawing on research that informs effective literacy practices, this book pushes back on singular ideologies, programs, and divisive rhetoric and, instead, embraces an inclusive perspective for supporting literacy development and learning. Readers are encouraged to move beyond debates that divide us and look toward the hard but necessary work of building the partnerships needed to support all students. Productive, Not Polarizing begins with a focus on community literacies and then describes effective literacy practices across grade levels. Designed for a wide audience, it will assist educators, families, and community partners to have informed conversations about what literacy instruction and learning involves. Every chapter includes a Community Snapshot describing a real-life scenario in which a partnering benefits students; an Ideas for Action section that can be adapted to your own context; reflection questions; and a list of helpful resources that include potential sources of funding. Book Features: An accessible, positive discussion of literacy research and practices for educators, families, and community partners. A response to increasingly contentious conversations about literacy instruction. Guidance to help educators engage with key community partners and stakeholders, such as administrators, families, childcare centers, afterschool programs, and local school boards. Opportunities to consider the role of teacher education and professional development in supporting school–community conversations. Ready-to-use resources, such as reproducible materials and community planning and event guides.

Literacy learning clubs are highly motivating small-group collaborations that can improve tweens' and teens' academic achievement, support their social-emotional development, and increase their enjoyment of reading and writing. This book explains the research basis for the author's approach and offers practical instructions for implementation in English language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics classrooms, illustrated with detailed case examples. Links to the Common Core State Standards are identified, and multimodal methods and new literacies emphasized throughout. User-friendly features include end-of-chapter reflection questions and suggested activities. The Appendix provides reproducible planning forms and handouts that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Literacy learning clubs are highly motivating small-group collaborations that can improve tweens' and teens' academic achievement, support their social-emotional development, and increase their enjoyment of reading and writing. This book explains the research basis for the author's approach and offers practical instructions for implementation in English language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics classrooms, illustrated with detailed case examples. Links to the Common Core State Standards are identified, and multimodal methods and new literacies emphasized throughout. User-friendly features include end-of-chapter reflection questions and suggested activities. The Appendix provides reproducible planning forms and handouts that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.