Chart Sense: Common Sense Charts to Teach 3-8 Informational Text and Literature by Rozlyn Linder

Paperback, 182 pages

Published February 2nd 2014 by Literacy Initiative LLC 

 

Chart Sense is the ultimate resource for elementary and middle school teachers who are ready to create meaningful, standards-based charts with their students. The same charts that Rozlyn creates with students when she models and teaches in classrooms across the nation are all included here. Packed with over seventy photographs, Chart Sense is an invaluable guide for novice or veteran reading teachers who want authentic visuals to reinforce and provide guidance for reading skills. Organized in a simple, easy-to-use format, Rozlyn shares multiple charts for every reading informational text and literature standard. Don't mistake this as just a collection of anchor chart ideas. At over 180 pages, this book is filled with actual charts, step-by-step instructions to create your own, teaching tips, and instructional strategies. This book includes: Over sixty-five photographs of teacher-tested charts and examples Easy to navigate chapters, organized by the 3-8 reading standards Step-by-step instructions to create each chart Teaching notes and instructional strategies Ideas and tips for scaffolding and differentiation . . . and MORE! Not a bunch of theory or philosophy . . . just hands-on, teacher-tested charts that you can use in your classroom . . . TODAY!

 

Whether your state is adopting the Common Core State Standards, making up their mind about them, changing their mind about them, abolishing them all together, or thanking God they never jumped on the bandwagon- this is a great resource!  I love using anchor charts and my students definitely benefit from me using them. In this resource, Dr. Rozlyn Linder has given us anchor charts that match the standards (which are all broken down by the standards and by grade level). 

What I liked about this book is that it isn't full of things that bog you down. Sometimes I just want something that I can turn quickly to, get an idea, and go. Getting bogged down in words (though they are great, sometimes I just need to see it quick!) can be overwhelming, and I definitely didn't with this one. There are places where I knew I could build on what Dr. Linder offered, and she even says that she knows that will happen and welcomes it! Even asks us to send her pictures and ideas! 

With each standard and chart there are a variety of goodies included for teaching the standard using the chart. Here is a quick list of some of them:

- A picture of the chart

- Grade level considerations

- Scaffolding ideas

- Teaching Tips

- Real examples from the classroom

- Writing connections

- Example texts to use

This is going to be a great addition to my professional library and I can't wait to share it with my peers. Visit Dr. Linder here for more information, and follow her on twitter (@rozlinder) for more fun!!

Happy reading (and teaching)!