Last week I posted a link to sign up for Laura Candler’s webinar using graphic organizers to create reading mini-lessons on my Facebook page. I’m excited to follow that up with a review of her new book Laura Candler’s Graphic Organizers for Reading: Teaching Tools Aligned with the Common Core and give away a digital copy to one of my readers too. Whoo-hoo!
First, I want to start by saying that Candler “gets it” and this book isn’t about having your students do worksheets. I’ve seen a definite swing against worksheets in the classroom where teachers cringe at the thought of using a copied page. However, these graphic organizers are much more than worksheets; they’re tools that can really improve your reading workshop. Unlike many other books of graphic organizers, Candler also walks you through the lesson planning process step-by-step to help you get the most out of your mini-lessons. I love how she’s broken down the Common Core Standards by grade level (grades 2-6) and suggested graphic organizers to use in teaching each one.
Let’s move on to the organizers (and foldables!) themselves. They’re broken down into two sections: multipurpose organizers and informational text/literature organizers. For the multipurpose organizers, Candler describes seven organizers and then gives suggestions for how to introduce each one to your class. There are also short sample lessons with completed organizers to use as examples or clarify your own understanding. Many of these have suggested resources (children’s books, websites, etc.) too.
The final section has 23 more organizers for informational text or literature. Five are included for nonfiction and ten apply to literature. My favorites are the eight focused on reading strategies because they can be used for both informational text and literature. I
especially like one on making step-by-step predictions. There are great ideas here for poetry too. That’s pretty rare!
If you’re thinking you already have all the organizers you need, I’d encourage you to think again. I was pleased to find new ideas for organizers I’ve already used in our classroom so there’s definitely something here for new teachers and veterans alike. There were also many organizers that I haven’t used before. Adding the new Common Core Standards is icing on the cake.
really easy. As a bonus, you can click on the links throughout the book
to jump right to the related pages. You know I love that! To win your digital copy of the book, enter with Rafflecopter. The giveaway closes Saturday night so you have a week to spread the word and increase your chances. If you aren’t lucky enough to win, you can buy the print version and get a digital copy free. How awesome is that?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’m really eager to use this book in our classroom next
year and am sure I’ll learn even more from the webinar so don’t forget
to sign up.
Also, my blog
was nominated as a finalist for Really Good Stuff’s classroom blog
contest in the “Best New Blog” category. I’m nominated with some pretty
fabulous bloggers, but if you enjoy reading my blog I’d love a vote. It starts at midnight Sunday, so vote away starting Monday morning. Thanks so much!
I've had my eye on this ebook for a while 🙂 Glad to see your review. If I don't win it, I'll be buying it for sure 🙂
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
I am very excited about that webinar! I signed up a few weeks ago for it! That book looks amazing, and I'm definitely going to be putting it on a wishlist. Thank you for mentioning it! 🙂
Amanda
Reaching for the TOP!
I have signed up for the webinar – would love the book!
I would love this book
I will surely purchase, but I am hoping to win this one!
I need to check out the webinar. Side note – found your frames today and love them!
April @ The Idea Backpack
I am so excited about winning this!!! I still can't believe it! Thank you!!!