Praise for Building the Literacy Block"Bridget does a fabulous job giving a plethora of concrete ideas for upper elementary teachers to meaningfully structure their literacy block. Her emphasis on intentional planning, building routines, and putting students in the driver seat of their own learning supports student critical thinking while simultaneously cultivating their love of reading."--Shane Saeed, Instructional Coach, St Vrain Valley School District"Every upper elementary literacy teacher can benefit from Bridget Spackman's deep knowledge of effective instruction and the structure, strategies, and specific examples provided in Building the Literacy Block!"--Michelle Emerson, Author of First Class Teaching"Structuring a literacy block is a challenge that is rarely a focus in preparing educators for their time in the classroom. Spackman has done a phenomenal job of using her classroom experience to create a resource that feels like she's sitting next to you and guiding you to literacy success!"--Juan E Gonzalez Jr, Third Grade Teacher"Building the Literacy Block is the PD you need. Written by a teacher for teachers. Bridget Spackman asks all the right questions that make you take a second and third look at your routines, procedures, and how you teach standards, skills, and strategies. She offers intentional, practical, and effective solutions to bridge reading and writing into a true literacy block. The examples she provides lets you know she is a real, working classroom teacher. Whether you are a first year or veteran teacher, Building the Literacy Block is a must for your personal bookshelf."--Lesley Carmichael, Classroom teacher, Georgia, USA
Author's Note xiIntroduction xvPart I: The Basics 1Chapter 1: No Time for That 5Chapter 2: We Built This City 25Chapter 3: Do the Work, Work, Work 43Part II: The Strategies 59Chapter 4: Follow the Yellow Brick Road 63Chapter 5: Pump Up the Jam, Pump It Up 79Chapter 6: Say My Name, Say My Name 101Part III: The More 117Chapter 7: You Can Go Your Own Way 121Chapter 8: Celebrate Good Times 135Chapter 9: Come Together, Right Now 153Conclusion 165Acknowledgments 175Index 179
BRIDGET M. SPACKMAN is an experienced public school educator and researcher. She specializes in providing authentic learning experiences that build twenty-first century skills in her students and in developing innovative and effective methods of literacy instruction.