Incorporate writing instruction in your classroom as an essential element of literacy development while implementing best practices. Simplify the planning of writing instruction and become familiar with the Common Core State Standards of Writing.

Inspire students to develop as writers in the kindergarden classroom with these engaging and creative writing lessons. This classroom-tested resource shows positive results in students' writing and simplifies the planning of writing instruction. It contains detailed information on how to establish and manage daily Writer's Workshop and includes consistent, structured instruction to encourage students to actively participate in the writing process. Specific lessons to help students develop the traits of quality writing are also included. This resource develops college and career readiness skills and is aligned to today's standards.

"Letter-a-week" may be a ubiquitous approach to teaching alphabet knowledge, but that doesn't mean it's an effective one. In No More Teaching a Letter a Week, early literacy researcher Dr. William Teale helps us understand that alphabet knowledge is more than letter recognition, and identifies research-based principles of effective alphabet instruction, which constitutes the foundation for phonics teaching and learning. Literacy coach Rebecca McKay shows us how to bring those principles to life through purposeful practices that invite children to create an identity through print. Children can and should do more than glue beans into the shape of a "B"; they need to learn how letters create words that carry meaning, so that they can, and do, use print to expand their understanding of the world and themselves.

The Creative Curriculum comes alive! This videotape-winner of the 1989 Silver Apple Award at the National Educational Film and Video Festival-demonstrates how teachers set the stage for learning by creating a dynamic well-organized environment. It shows children involved in seven of the interest areas in the The Creative Curriculum and explains how they learn in each area. Everyone conducts in-service training workshops for staff and parents or who teaches early childhood education courses will find the video an indispensable tool for explainin appropriate practice.

Teaching English Language Learners is a handbook for elementary staff who work with English Language Learners, but who don’t have specialized training in English language acquisition. The book is a handy reference that describes all stages of learning English, and how home language and culture affect English Language Learners in school. It provides a thorough picture of English Language Learners by describing English language levels, adjustment behaviors, family interactions and expectations, non-academic areas of need, and how to discern whether or not student difficulties are language based. It also offers practical strategies for teaching writing and describes general Project Based Learning activities appropriate for both large and small groups. The book supports classroom teachers, para-educators, volunteers, teachers in training, specialists and other adults working with elementary English Language Learners.

Give students in grade K strategies to succeed in phonics with Jump Into Phonics! This 208-page book leads young readers past the frustration involved with the early stages of understanding letter-sound associations by using strategies proven to create basic phonics comprehension. This helpful classroom resource includes diagnostic tests that identify students' instructional needs, multimethod strategies for teaching every reader, reproducible practice pages, and a skills index. The book aligns with state, national, and Canadian provincial standards.

Each Teachers Edition focuses on a specific theme anddepending upon the grade level, contains explicit, systematicinstruction in phonemic awareness, print and book awareness,alphabetic knowledge, phonics, fluency, word structure,vocabulary, comprehension, spelling and writing, appropriateto the specific grade level.

Mackie Ramsay’s reading program is Magic! Our son was struggling with reading in second grade when Mackie began working with him for twenty minutes a day. In just six weeks there was not only rapid improvement, but he became very excited about reading for the very first time. He looked forward to each lesson and eagerly learned the ‘secrets’ that gave him access to the mastery of his letters. Now he is eleven and is devouring adult fiction, the more pages the better. He is in the highest reading and spelling programs in his class. I have recommended Mackie to many of our son’s friends with similar results. It is a great gift that Mackie gives – the gift of not only reading well, but of reading with JOY. —Alexandra Kennedy, MA, MFT, psychotherapist and author of Losing a Parent (Harper Collins, 1991). CD Alphabet Adventures included inside the back cover. Lyrics Mackie Ramsay, and MaryLee Sunseri. Music composition by MaryLee Sunseri, singer/ songwriter and the winner 2 American Library Notables, and 4 Parents Choice Awards for young children’s music. The songs on the disc that accompany this book are absolutely entrancing—a perfect way to reinforce the letters for children. Each song is unique and beautifully produced — I find myself singing them all the time! —Barbara Lopez, Music Instructor, Cabrillo College. Composer, “Body Songs.” Published by Harper Collins in the “Health for Life” program, grades K –3.