Talking through Reading and Writing

In this book you will read many examples of rich literacy conversations between a teacher and his 8th grade students that never would have occurred face to face in the classroom. These conversations take place online when 8th graders write to their teacher about the books theyre interested in reading and choosing to read independently. Students write about what happens when they read or dont read, how they feel about reading, how theyre connecting with characters and ideas, why they dont have enough time to read, and what their reading goals are. And their teacher writes back to them. Every week. After each conversation you will read some meta-talk that shines a light on what the conversation has taught us about this language learner and how this datais informing our beliefs and practices. Embedded within the chapters are suggested resources (articles, book recommendations, links, websites, blogs, etc.) you can follow should you want to read more in that chapter. What these students reveal about their own literacy development- their successes, their challenges, their lives- and how their teacher nudges them along socially, emotionally and academically, teach us the value and power of one practical, authentic literacy tool- the Reading Conversation Journal.