El. knyga: Empowering Readers: Integrated Strategies to Comprehend Expository Texts

As teachers, every so often, we come across a book that causes us to reexamine our thoughts about what it means to teach literacy. Empowering Readers: Integrated Strategies to Comprehend Expository Texts is one such book that introduces an instructional strategy called Structure Sort, a method used to teach non-fiction text structures to students in grades K-8. Hoch and McNally describe the process step-by-step using authentic student examples that highlight how classroom teachers use this engaging comprehension strategy while teaching specific text structures that good readers identify and use when reading expository texts. -- Judy Fiene, Professor of Education, Elmhurst College Using the Structure Sorts method really helps my students think critically about the expository texts they encounter. This innovative method reinforces the before, during, and after reading strategies students need to be successful when tackling the common text structures. My students love this method and feel confident to take risks in their learning using this method. This shows in the way they make predictions, explain their thinking, and are able to summarize what they read. Structure Sorts are a great way to inspire teachers to teach expository texts and empower students to feel confident tackling them. -- Aubrey Ignace, TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), Community Consolidated School District 181, Hinsdale, IL A true teachers guide for empowering readers to comprehend expository texts through integrated strategies. Hoch and McNallys work provides the reader with practical strategies that can readily be implemented into classroom practice and enhance student learning. The book is full of great research-based practical ideas that I intend to use in my graduate classrooms and summer reading practicum/clinic. -- Debra Gurvitz, Director Chicago Reading Practicum, Adjunct Faculty-National Louis University, Reading Department As a fourth-grade teacher, I am always looking to integrate strategies that support my students as they build comprehension connections with nonfiction. The Structure Sort method offers students a concrete way to connect text structure and vocabulary, while also building on skills like predicting and summarizing. The Structure Sort organizers provide students a simple tool to read with a purpose and effectively analyze text structure. -- Adam Nicholson, MEd, 4th Grade Teacher, Brook Forest School, Butler District 53, Oak Brook, IL