Becoming Critically Literate

  Description from the publisher: " Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers—and superheroes—make mistakes." Text Features:  Fictional picture book. 'About the author and illustrator' back matter. Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   BEFORE reading: Read the blurb and discuss why writing might be hard for Abdul; have students share their personal experience about what makes writing hard for them (or what used to be hard when they first started to learn to write). Ask students what a 'role model' is and discuss how role models can inspire us to try hard things and grow. Have students predict what Abdul learns from the class'...

  Description from the publisher: " The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to. What happened to you?  Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer? A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different." Text Features:  Picture book Letter to adults from the author on how to speak to children about disabilities and other differences Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   BEFORE reading: read the title, explore the cover illustration, and discuss predictions for what the book might be about; then read the blurb and expand predictions; maybe ask children if they have seen someone with a visible disability before and if/how they responded DURING reading: pay attention to the main character's responses, discuss why he might ...

  Description from the publisher: " A bold and colorful exploration of all the ways that people navigate through the spaces around them and a celebration of the relationships we build along the way. We Move Together follows a mixed-ability group of kids as they creatively negotiate everyday barriers and find joy and connection in disability culture and community. A perfect tool for families, schools, and libraries to facilitate conversations about disability, accessibility, social justice and community building. Includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 3–10). This fully accessible ebook includes alt-text for image descriptions, a read aloud function, and a zoom-in function that allows readers to magnify the illustrations and be able to move around the page in zoom-in mode." Text Features:  Picture book featuring ways to "move together" through various means of physical inclusion (accessibility, communication) Extensive back matter focusing on the following: How We...

  From The Publisher: "When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Compassionate parents everywhere will instantly recognize a father's ability to reconnect a child with the world around him. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience, and masterfully illustrated by Greenaway Medalist Sydney Smith. A book for any child who feels lost, lonely, or unable to fit in." Text Features:  Figurative Language ("the P in pinetree grows roots inside my mouth and tangles my tongue", "the M in moon dusts my lips with a magic that makes me only mumble", "I feel a storm in my belly; my eyes fill with rain"...and of course "I talk like a river") Author's Note (great for exploring the author's inspiration for writing this book and his hopes f...