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 The First Days of School Boost literacy achievement with these practical, brain-compatible strategies! Activating prior knowledge, differentiating instruction, and creating interactive opportunities-these are key practices that optimize learning, according to brain research. This essential guide translates cutting-edge research into ready-to-use tactics to promote literacy development in your classroom. Internationally recognized educator Kathy Perez offers a definitive collection of more than 100 field-tested strategies that can be implemented easily and immediately for maximum results at any grade level. The activities and tools provide strong building blocks for creating a dynamic, brain-friendly environment where teachers and students thrive. The book offers a flexible framework, step-by-step guidance, and key features such as: Approaches to motivate students with hands-on learning Specific techniques for differentiation and utilizing multiple intelligences Tactics to strengthen reading comprehension and the meaning-making process Pre-reading strategies, standards-based activities, planning templates, reproducibles, and other resources to boost student achievement More Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy empowers teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists with proven tools to cultivate active learning.
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.