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

Among the most powerful messages translated from brain research to educational practice are that learning occurs best when: Prior knowledge is activated Students are actively engaged Connections are created and reinforced Opportunities are incorporated for reflection and metacognition Student-to-student interactive social learning is promoted This book from an international trainer and consultant goes the next step and uses these findings to inform practical implementation for literacy. The author briefly targets the relevant research and moves quickly to providing tools and strategies for teachers to use for motivation and engagement, and specifically to improve teaching and learning in the literacy domains of vocabulary and comprehension. While additional research rationale is sprinkled throughout the book, the format is 10% research and theory and 90% practical tools and strategies for classrooms. This book is packed with use-today resources for teachers to get all students off the sidelines and fully engagd in literacy learning. Review "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 Published On: 2007-12-11 "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 Published On: 2008-01-08 “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 Published On: 2008-01-11 "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 Published On: 2008-01-15 "What a great resource! Clear, concise, and current, Perez′s book makes effective literacy instruction a reality for teachers everywhere." -- Rick Morris, Educator Published On: 2008-01-17 "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 Published On: 2008-11-20 About the Author 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.