More Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy Instruction

Katherine Perez, a professor of education at Saint Mary's College of California, has over three decades of teaching experience from the preschool level through graduate school. A frequent presenter and enthusiastic "teacher cheerleader," she offers guidance to both novice and experienced educators. Perez is an international educational consultant, author, and motivational speaker, specializing in instructional strategies and creative approaches to literacy and professional development. She integrates state-of-the-art methods and research with passion and practical insights from her own classroom experiences. Perez has taught in many diverse environments, including in Richmond and Oakland, as a general educator, special educator, reading specialist, and curriculum and staff development coordinator. In order to "keep it real," she balances her college courses and her work as a coordinator for the California Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program by serving as a literacy coach in a San Francisco Bay Area middle school, engaging even the most reluctant learners with brain-friendly techniques. Perez works with teachers, administrators and parents throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Australia. For the past three years, she has conducted extensive training in Singapore and Hong Kong for the Ministry of Education.

Preface About the Author 1. Brain-Based Literacy Learning - Pieces of the Puzzle The Research Connection Reading Comprehension and the Brain Personal Connections Reflect to Connect Slow Down to Go Faster Different Ways of Knowing - Different Ways of Showing 2. Activate to Educate! Why Activate? Prereading Strategies Anticipation Guide/Prediction Guide People Bingo Windowpane Graphic Organizers K-W-L Preview Puzzles Sticky-Note Discussion/Graffiti Board Story Impressions Word Splash Backtrack Learning Lineup Voting With Your Feet Preview Pairs Sort and Report Postcard Connections 3. What Does a Brain-Compatible Classroom Look Like? Tips for Developing a Brain-Compatible Classroom Content and Process ("Gum" and "Chew") State Changes Management Tips Grouping and Floor Plans Learning Centers Sample Centers Creating Independent Learners Strategies for Flexible Grouping Managing for Grouping Accountability Planning for Grouping Mix-Mingle-Swap Carousel Cruising Walk and Talk Tour Newscast Reporting Clock Buddies Grouping "Roundup" 4. Literacy is NOT a Spectator Sport! Note Taking/ Note Making Summary Strategies Picture This: Stretch to Sketch Rhyme Time Slogans Comparison Questioning Strategies Translation Alliteration Speculation Applications Reflection 5. Differentiate to Motivate! Essential Elements of Differentiation What Is This Thing Called Differentiation? Pieces of the Puzzle Managing Your Differentiated Classroom Ten Things to Try Next Week (To Encourage Independence and Differentiate Instruction) Lesson Planning for Action Professor of the Week "Professor for the Week" Active Participation Strategies Give One/ Get One Save the Last Word for Me! Cubing 6. Into, Through, and Beyond Boosters Developing an Instructional Framework "Into" Strategies "Through" Strategies Coding Strategy "Beyond" Strategies Flip Book "Two Facts and a Fib" Question Fan Celebrate a Book Fishbone Strategy Question "Connections" Conclusion References Index

"This is a fabulous book! Hundreds of activities that can be implemented at no cost. Buy it, use it, and allow the genius of Kathy Perez to rub off on you." -- Harry K. Wong, Author "This is a helpful, user-friendly book of easy-to-implement reading strategies. The coverage and length are appropriate for the busy classroom teacher." -- Mary Amato, Literacy Coach "The book is well-organized and covers important components for reading. This is a major contribution to the recent literature on reading and brain-based teaching." -- Marilee Sprenger, Educational Consultant "This book belongs on the desk of every teacher who wants to engage and excite students in brain based learning. Kathy Perez is the ultimate cheerleader for teachers and she gives teachers over 100 easy to use tools to help students succeed." -- Lori Oczkus, National Literacy Consultant and Author "What a great resource! Clear, concise, and current, Perez's book makes effective literacy instruction a reality for teachers everywhere." -- Rick Morris, Educator "These strategies will provide teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists not only with theory but proven tools that work, making for an important classroom pick." -- The Bookwatch, July 2008