Released and Available! New Book Introduces Project Based LITERACY to Teachers!

Project Based Literacy

Fun Literacy Projects for Powerful Common Core Learning

By: Mark Gura and Rose Reissman

Published 2015

Project‐Based Learning; it’s a term that most educators have heard and probably have heard good things about, Often, though, they aren’t quite sure precisely what its defining characteristics are other than involving students in projects that are supposed to somehow result in their learning things of value.

A great many teachers are reluctant to make it part of what they do with their students due to unfounded fears of unrealistic workloads and classroom management issues associated with it. This book should help change that, making the nature of PBL (Project‐Based Learning) clear and illustrating how it can be a manageable, effective, and very enjoyable aspect of instruction.

The book will present an exciting, alternative approach to literacy instruction that its authors call Project Based Literacy. This will principally be done through the presentation of 20 appealing projects, all of them carefully designed to engage and inspire students (grades 3 – 8) in literacy activities that are both core to the required curriculum and deeply in‐synch with the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts. The book will also present support material for this, providing sufficient theory, instructional and classroom management tips, and technology and other ‘How To’ information to ensure that rank and file classroom teachers can adopt, adapt, and enjoyably and successfully implement the projects and maximize learning in relation to the Common Core Standards for ELA.

This book provides teachers:

1)      Clear explanations of Project Based Learning: what it is, how it works, why it is such an advantageous approach to instruction and how it can be applied to Literacy learning, within the context of LA classes and across the curriculum.

2)      Plans and resources needed to finally get started with Project Based Learning,

3)      Rationales and approaches for integrating technology that are relevant and that translate into richer instruction. The ‘How To’ section of the book explains the use of many varieties of easy, user-friendly technology resources in detail.

4)      Deep support for Science and Social Studies teachers who need to bring Literacy into their teaching.

5)      Opportunities to make learning exciting, interesting, and relevant.

6)      Guidance on how to produce classroom and school-based exhibits of rich, impressive learning products (posters, videos, podcasts, class books, etc.) to share at parent, community, and fund raising events.

7)      Activities to develop student as citizens, well prepared as savvy consumers, engaged citizens, and responsible social activists right now.

8)      Activities that will transform students from passive consumers to active producers of sparkling content items – students become real writers communicating their own important insights on subjects like family history, community improvement, and contemporary culture.

9)      Projects that will give students a portfolio of their own creative products to reflect on, save, and proudly share with others.

10)  Projects that teach for Real World Outcomes and engage students in all of the following:
- Writing Skills: descriptive writing, argumentative  and persuasive writing, functional document writing,  poetry, etc.
-  Student Publishing: class books, gallery style exhibits, etc.
-  Student Products (print, digital, and performance): author fan and book review sites, informational brochures, trading cards, etc.
- Creating Functional Visual Art: illustration, info-graphics, graphic design, etc.
 - Technology Skills: blogging, easy websites, word processing/desktop publishing, etc.)
- Media Authoring: podcasting, video production, websites, etc.
- Literacy Skills Across the Curriculum: author study, procedural narrative, informational research and analysis skills, etc.

All learned though highly engaging, exciting projects!  See samples and table of contents below!

CONTENTS
Introduction.  
PART I. What is Project‐Based Literacy? - Core Elements of Literacy Projects - Project‐Based Literacy and the Common Core - Authenticity in Literacy Projects - Project‐Based Literacy and 21st Century Teaching and Learning - Classroom Management and Project‐Based Literacy - Sharing the Work: Publishing and Presenting Student Products -  Assessment and Feedback of Literacy Projects.

PART II: Literacy Learning Projects.
1) Non Fiction Book Map.
2) Student Created Anti‐Bullying Blog:
Student Writing and Blogging on Bullying, Being Bullied, and Being a Bystander
3) Sandwich Science: Class Cookbook and Nutritional Guide to Student Sandwich Creations.
4) Label Literacy.
5) Curating a Museum Exhibit: Student Created Public Learning Displays.
6) Famous Scientists Trading Cards.
7) Student Designed Author Fan Web Sites.
8) Interactive Endangered Species Map.
9) Where I’m From—Poetry Self Portraits.
10) Game Changer Inventions: Class Exhibit on Inventions That Have Changed Our Lives.
11) Print to Podcast.
12) Public Service Announcements.
13) Class Alphabet Book Publication: Mastery of Research, Content, and Collaboration—Easy as A, B,  14) Rights Report: Student Reporting on the State of Constitutional Rights. Good Thing or Bad?
15) When Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact, What’s the Impact?
16) Neighborhood Guide Brochure
17) School Network News: The News—Of, For, and by Students.
18) Illustrated Family Stories: The Ones We Hear, the Ones We Tell, and the Ones We Capture in Art.
19) Class Survey.
20) Painted History: Understanding Our World through Works of Art.

PART III: Technology “How To” Technology How To for Projects.


Click here for more information and to purchase...