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 ...