Professional Reading Reviews
Volume 28, Number 5, June 2001
With Ken Haycock
The art of teaching reading
Lucy McCormick Calkins
Reviewed by Ray Doiron
Literacy educators throughout the world are familiar with
Calkins' landmark text, The art of teaching writing and this
new book is assured of a place beside that title as must-read
material for early literacy educators. Calkins writes in
an easy, yet passionate style that invites teachers to connect
their teaching experiences with the theories and practices
that are basic to literacy education in today's classrooms.
She begins by grounding the text in four major tenets that
guide the "art of teaching reading": the importance
of independent reading, the power of the student observation,
the role of teacher modeling, and the nature of reading as
a socially constructed process. She builds from that to outline
how children "co-author" the literate community
we develop in our classrooms.
Literacy educators will find many of the traditional literacy
activities reinforced and described, as well as interesting
and authentic examples of reading workshops in action. Issues
of using nonfiction materials, the role of children's books,
teaching strategies and the role of reader response are all
developed in separate chapters. Teacher-librarians will find
the discussion of the use and development of classroom libraries
interesting, as well as the useful lists of children's books
for teaching literacy. Little reference to the role of school
libraries is made, nor are digital media resources mentioned.
Teacher-librarians would read the book only to improve their
understanding of how the reading process develops. (Addison
Wesley, 2001. $28.00. 580 pp. 0-321-08059-9.)
Bottom line: Well-written and authoritative, but
not directly related to school library program.
 Buy
online at Amazon.com
Managing the Internet controversy
Mark Smith, ed.
Reviewed by Ann Curry
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of Internet access
issues? Feeling harassed by parents, staff members, school
administrators, trustees, and students - all of whom have
different agendas and knowledge levels regarding Internet
filters? This collection of essays by twelve prominent librarians,
will be an excellent antidote to your Internet anxiety.
Each essay is extremely accessible and well-written, the
caliber one would expect from contributors who are presidents
of national associations and authorities in this area. Authors
include Carolyn Caywood, known for her advocacy for teen
library services, who writes about working with library staff
to ensure that a uniform message is conveyed about Internet
policy; Ellen Jay, 1999-2000 President of the American Association
of School Librarians, who explains the planning and technical
decisions needed when school Internet access is introduced;
and Carolyn Noah, Chair of the Association for Library Services
to Children's Intellectual Freedom Committee, who outlines
a program for teachers and kids which will "steer kids
to solo navigation" on the Web. Other chapters offer
excellent advice on how to interact with parents to defuse
Internet access disputes, how to acquire the political insight
crucial to winning debates with elected officials, and the
advantages of placing Internet discussions within the broader
spheres of democracy and ethics. In addition to many helpful
hints and background facts, every chapter contains quotable
remarks and anecdotes that will be very useful to those who
communicate publicly about school Internet access. (Neal-Schuman,
2001. $45.00. 200 pp. 1-55570-395-X).
Bottom line: Manage, don't mangle.
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Practical steps to the research process for Middle School
Deborah B. Stanley
Reviewed by Barbara Weathers
Stanley, an experienced teacher-librarian, has created a
Research Process model. In this book, which she bases on
authentic learning experiences, she sequentially takes the
reader through the process and carefully shows how the classroom
teacher and librarian can teach students how to make research "interesting
and doable." The thorough attention to every detail
is impressive. Each stage of the model, from collaborative
planning and lesson preparation to evaluation, is thoroughly
developed with checklists, charts and clear discussion. There
are interesting "sidebar icons" in the margins
which allow the reader to instantly pick out "content
area standard," "technical proficiencies," "information
literacy" and several more skills-including "ELL/Special
Modifications."
MLA citation examples are given for print and electronic
media. Even descriptive word lists, rubrics for tracking
the research process as each student progresses through it
and the Information Literacy standards from Information power:
Partnerships for learning can be found in the text. Stanley
is very specific in her purpose: her Research Process model
is meant to use "integrated information management to
build lifelong learning skills". Her book definitely
lives up to its purpose. (Libraries Unlimited, 2000. 240
pp. $33.00.1-56308-763-4.)
Bottom Line: Worthwhile for answering student research
requirements.
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Reference skills for the school library media specialist:
Tools & tips
Ann Marlow Riedling
Reviewed by Rosemary Chance
New teacher-librarians looking for a practical guide to
reference materials, both print and online, will find this
a useful, pared down look at skills and tools. In five major
parts, this text describes the reference process, explains
standard types of reference tools, touches briefly on technology,
and presents reference scenarios for discussion. Although
clearly written, there are three minor detractions.
First, it is not always clear which online sources are fee-based
and which are free. Second, some space is wasted with photos
of web pages that are difficult to read and provide little
information anyway. Third, the school scenarios are geared
more to library management questions than to reference dilemmas.
The eleven scenarios and the questions that follow each are
interesting but would be more appropriate for discussion
in an administration course. An appendix with publishers'
addresses, a short glossary of terms, and an index of topics
and titles complete the volume. (Linworth, 2000. $42.95.
152 pp. 1-58683-000-7.)
Bottom Line: Streamlined basics.
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Worth a Look
The answers - to questions that teachers most frequently
ask
Julie Wofford Anderson
Organized by subject, from delivery of lessons and student
assessment to discipline and management issues. No index.
(Corwin Press, 2000. 125 pp. $21.95. 0-7619-7659-0)
Buying and maintaining personal computers: A how-to-do-it
manual for librarians
Norman Howden
Offering strategies for both PC and MAC formats. Covers
hardware and software, security, licenses, warranties, preventive
maintenance and more. Includes forms, checklists and index.
(Neal-Schuman, 2000. 129 pp. $45.00. 1-55570-376-3)
Copyright for schools: A practical guide, 3rd edition
Carol Simpson
Explains copyright and the impact of new legislation
such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Covers print
and electronic resources, software, audio-visual materials
and library functions such as interlibrary loans and reserves.
Includes index and sample policies, agreements and release
forms. (Linworth, 2001. 166 pp. $42.95. 1-58683-018-X)
Independent projects step-by-step: A handbook for senior
projects, graduation projects, culminating projects
Patricia Hachten Wee
A response to demand for student demonstration of competency,
this book discusses types of projects, how teachers can help,
and the librarian's role in researching the topic, as well
as helping students and parents choose and develop topics.
Includes index and 25 one-page synopses of sample projects
in various content areas. (Scarecrow, 2000. 131 pp. $22.50.
0-8108-3785-4)
Inventeering: A problem-solving approach to teaching
technology
Bob Corney and Norm Dale
Discusses safety and use of simple tools in teaching
technology for grades 1-8, from pliers to hand drills. Student
activities are sorted by topic and grade level, and include
clear instructions and diagrams. Copying allowed for purchaser's
classroom use. Includes bibliography. (Trifolium, 2001. 133
pp. $24.95. 1-55244-014-1)
Literature and science breakthroughs: Connecting language
and science skills in the elementary classroom
Jo-Anne Lake
Offers strategies for using books to bring science to
life. Features hands-on activities, organized by subject,
and discussion of assessment techniques and tools. Includes
index. (Pembroke, 2000. 117 pp. $18.95. 1-55138-126-5)
Making books: Over 30 practical book-making projects
for children
Paul Johnson
Easy-to-make projects, from pop-up books to diaries and
storybooks. Designed for K-6, entries include age-appropriateness
guideline, time needed, and step-by-step instructions on
constructing the book. Evaluation tips for teachers. (Pembroke,
2000. 62 pp. $14.95. 1-55138-127-3)
Newbery and Caldecott trivia and more for every day of
the year
Claudette Hegel
Features intriguing trivia about a Newbery or Caldecott
winner for every day of the year, plus birth date information.
Indexed by title and name, which includes authors, illustrators,
editors and others appearing in the trivia facts. (Libraries
Unlimited, 2000. 167 pp. $26.00. 1-56308-830-4)
Science discoveries on the Net: An integrated approach
Anthony Fredericks
Organized by science units at the elementary level, each
unit is coded as to grade level and features research questions,
a list of web sites, literature resources, and activities
and projects. Includes index. (Libraries Unlimited, 2000.
313 pp. $27.50. 1-56308-823-1)
Selecting and managing electronic resources: A how-to-do-it
manual
Vicki Gregory
Professional resource discusses this from collection
development perspective, including selection criteria, budgeting,
consortia, access for users, copyright and licensing issues
and more. Includes selected bibliography and index. (Neal-Schuman,
2000. 109 pp. $55.00. 1-55570-382-8)
Social studies discoveries on the Net: An integrated
approach
Anthony Fredericks
Organized by social studies units at the elementary level,
each unit is coded as to grade level and features research
questions, a list of web sites, literature resources, and
activities and projects. Includes index. (Libraries Unlimited,
2000. 275 pp. $26.00. 1-56308-824-X)
The storymakers: Writing children's books
Compiled by the Canadian Children's Book Centre
Biographies of 83 Canadian authors from Jean Little to
Robert Munsch, in authors' own words. Listed alphabetically,
each entry includes biographical information, bibliography
of works, tips for young writers, and "something nobody
knew about me (until now)." (Pembroke, 2000. 176 pp.
$24.95. 1-55138-108-7)
A storytime year: A month-to-month kit for preschool
programming
Susan Dailey
Features more than 500 suggestions and activities, organized
by 48 themes, four per month. Indexed by program, subject,
picture book and story, and participation activities. Loose-leaf
binder format. (Neal-Schuman, 2001. 411 pp. $59.95. 1-55570-389-5)
The 21st century teachers' guide to recommended Internet
sites
Marvin DiGeorgio and Sylvia Lesage
Lists best available sites, organized by curriculum subject.
Each entry includes web site name, URL, and a brief discussion
of the site and a list of useful links within each site.
Includes index and CD-ROM. (Neal-Schuman, 2001. 281 pp. $49.95.
1-55570-401-8)
Using the Internet, online services, and CD-ROMs for
writing research and term papers, 2nd edition
Edited by Charles Harmon
Aimed at secondary and post-secondary students, this
guide offers tips on note-taking, printing and searching.
Includes chapter on MLA and APA citation of electronic resources.
(Neal-Schuman, 2000. 126 pp. $35.00. 1-55570-374-7)
Video production for school library media specialists:
Communication and production techniques
Terry McConnell and Harry Sprouse
Discusses use of video production in school environment,
from scriptwriting for a daily news show to lighting and
equipment. Includes checklists, evaluation forms, funding
resources, bibliography, glossary and index. (Linworth, 2000.
224 pp. $39.95. 1-938865-95-1)
What's cooking in children's literature
Gwynne Spencer
Recipes for snacks, each linked to a children's picture
book. Many contributed by authors and illustrators. Over
150 recipes suitable for preschool and elementary students,
from Frogs and Toads in Holes to Little, Stinky Cheese Men.
Organized alphabetically by the title that inspired the recipe.
Indexed by author, title and recipe. (Linworth, 2000. 143
pp. $39.95. 1-58683-005-8)
Writing and updating technology plans: A guidebook with
sample policies on CD-ROM
John Cohn, Ann Kelsey, and Keith Michael Fiels
General introduction to concept of technology planning
and key issues for all libraries. Discusses how to develop
and write a plan, and put it to use. Includes index and list
of Web resources and sample plans for school and other libraries.
(Neal-Schuman, 1999. 101 pp. $99.95. 1-55570-365-8) |
