Literacy Now

We know that each content area or discipline has a unique structure, goals, texts, language, and ways of developing knowledge. Mathematics courses are different than history courses; the texts are different; the ways in which teachers and students talk about knowledge in each content area are different. We do not read a science text and an English language arts text the same way. So, if we are knowledgeable about the distinct differences among content areas why are we using generic literacy strategies across the content areas? Generic literacy approaches across the content areas have not produced the results we have been looking for in our students’ literacy or content knowledge, skills, and performance. In addition, how are we planning to address the complex content and literacy demands of each content area in an era of Common Core State Standards (CCSS)? According to the CCSS, close reading of complex texts, deep understanding, collection of evidence across sources, an inquiry approach to learning, collaborative inquiry, and reflection are necessary instructional elements across grade levels and in each content area (Zygouris-Coe, 2012). 

What is Disciplinary Literacy? 

“Disciplinary literacy involves the use of reading, reasoning, investigating, speaking, and writing required to learn and form complex content knowledge appropriate to a particular discipline.” (McConachie & Petrosky, 2010, p. 16). Disciplinary literacy is not a new term for reading in the content areas (Shanahan & Shanahan, 2012); instead it emphasizes the knowledge, skills, and tools of the experts in each discipline--the mathematicians, historians, authors, and scientists who communicate, use, and create knowledge in their respective discipline. Disciplinary literacy is not about a set of strategies we can use to help students organize text or make connections among words; it is referring to the ways of thinking, knowing, and doing that are consistent with each discipline. 

So, why keep an eye on disciplinary literacy? In my view, because we must; we have to if we are to prepare our students to learn and succeed in secondary school, in college, career, and beyond. We need to move content instruction from an emphasis on generic strategies for reading, vocabulary, and comprehension toward an emphasis on practices and pedagogical frameworks for disciplinary inquiry that will support content and literacy learning.

Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary Grades

Reading in secondary grades “feels, sounds, and looks” different than it does in earlier grades. We know from research that many adolescents struggle with a) engagement with reading (especially expository text) and motivation to read, b) vocabulary, c) comprehension, and d) self-regulating their own comprehension. Many adolescents face challenges with reading and comprehending the texts of each content area (Lee & Spratley, 2010; Moje, 2002, 2008). Reading in the content areas places many demands on the reader and the teacher. Content instruction and literacy development in the secondary grades should be taking place in tandem (Shanahan, 2008, 2012). 

How can adolescents think and learn like mathematicians, historians, or biologists if we do not teach them how to read, comprehend, and think deeply about the texts of each discipline? To teach students to think like historians, we have to teach them how to identify the author, the audience, the context, whether others agree, or whether information is credible. According to Lee and Spratley (2010), adolescents need more targeted, comprehensive, and even tailored support for reading in the academic disciplines because of the different structure, goals, and literacy demands of each discipline. We need to prepare students to successfully deal with the reading, writing, and learning demands of each discipline. We need to teach students how to engage with, read, build their background knowledge, comprehend text, and write in a way that is consistent with each discipline. Comprehension and deep learning are not natural outcomes of teaching students a few effective comprehension strategies; they require rigorous, specialized, and multifaceted teaching and learning. Key factors for successful content area instruction also include developing a classroom culture of high expectations (Lee, 2007) and delivering instruction that is purposeful, authentic, relevant, and critical. Teachers need to organize instruction in engaging ways, provide guided support in small and whole group work, sequence discipline-specific tasks, include reading of content area texts that will help build background knowledge, teach students how to access texts, develop discipline-specific vocabulary and classroom discourse (Michaels, O’Connor, Hall, & Resnick, 2002), and build students’ self-efficacy as readers. 

Developing a Disciplinary Literacy Learning Framework 

Discipline-specific teaching and learning is complex, demanding, rigorous, specific to each discipline, interactive, and collaborative. For the purpose of this section, I will use history as an example to illustrate disciplinary literacy learning framework principles. I invite you to reflect on the attached questions and discuss them with your colleagues; these questions could be used as “conversation starters” in department and professional learning community (PLC) meetings, as part of collaborations between literacy coaches and content area teachers, and in planning for school-wide literacy efforts in secondary grades.

If we are to bring about positive change in student learning, we have to change our perspective and practices about the role of literacy in each discipline. Consider developing a teacher study group (or a PLC) at your school where you can discuss these issues and learn about ways to help students develop content and literacy knowledge and skills that are consistent with each discipline’s structure, goals, demands, texts, and ways of knowing, reading, writing, speaking, and learning.  

References

Lee, C. D. (2007). Culture, literacy, and learning: Blooming in the midst of the whirlwind. New York: Teachers College Press.

Lee, C. D., & Spratley, A. (2010). Reading in the disciplines: The challenges of adolescent literacy. New York, NY: Carnegie Corporation of New York.

McConachie, S. M., & Petrosky, A. R. (2010). Content matters: A disciplinary literacy approach to improving student learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Michaels, S., O'Connor, M. C., Hall, M. W., & Resnick, L. (2002). Accountable talk: classroom conversation that works. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. 

Moje, E. B.  (2002). But where are the youth?  Integrating youth culture into literacy theory. Educational Theory, 52, 97-120. 

Moje, E. B. (2008).  Foregrounding the disciplines in secondary literacy teaching and learning: A call for change.  Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 52(2), 96-107.

Shanahan, T., & Shanahan. C. (2008). Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: Rethinking content-area literacy. Harvard Educational Review, 78(1), 40-59. 

Shanahan, T., & Shanahan, C. (2012). What is disciplinary literacy and why does it matter? Topics in Language Disorders, 32(1), 7–18.

Zygouris-Coe, V. (2012). Disciplinary literacy and the common core state standards. Topics in Language Disorders, 32(1), 35-50.

Vassiliki (“Vicky”) Zygouris-Coe is an associate professor at the University of Central Florida, College of Education, Vassiliki.Zygouris-Coe@ucf.edu.

This article is part of a series from the International Reading Association Middle School Reading Special Interest Group (MSR-SIG).

by Michelle Schira Hagerman

What special knowledge do teachers need to have when they think about the integration of technologies in their literacy classrooms? Shulman (1987) told us that, for starters, teachers must understand the interactions of pedagogy and content. They need to understand the content they teach and how to teach this content most effectively to their students. He called this pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) – a unique and multi-faceted fund of knowledge that teachers use to guide instructional choices and curricular designs. When we ask our students to use Google Docs for collaborative writing or VoiceThread to support the development of oral communication skills, however, what changes? What impact do technologies have on content? And on pedagogy?

TPACK: Kristen Kereluik and Michelle Schira Hagerman, 2012.

Mishra & Koehler (2006) contend that technologies, all of which have affordances (pros) and constraints (cons), also interact in complex and multi-faceted ways with content and pedagogy. Like Shulman's framework of PCK, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK; also TPACK) represents the unique and multi-faceted funds of knowledge that guide teachers’ choices when integrating technologies in their classrooms. As Koehler & Mishra (2008) argue, 

TPCK is the basis of effective teaching with technology and requires an understanding of the representation of concepts using technologies, pedagogical techniques that use technologies in constructive ways to teach content; knowledge of what makes concepts difficult or easy to learn and how technology can help redress some of the problems students face [...] (pp. 17-18)

Expert technology integrators don't just slap technology on to a lesson ad hoc. Rather, they flexibly weigh a tool's unique affordances and constraints for learning in the dynamic ecology of their classroom context before they act.  But how can literacy leaders support the thoughtful integration of technologies that support instruction and, in the process, encourage teachers to become more aware of their own TPACK? There is no single answer, but these three examples are worth considering.

1. At Jakarta International School, language teacher, Dana Schwartzkopf leads a Tech Treats working group that meets once a month, after school. At each session, Dana highlights a tech tool, its affordances and constraints for learning, and models "play time" during which teachers collaboratively figure out how the tool works. They also talk about pedagogically justifiable ways to integrate the tool.
2. At Ruth Fox Elementary School in North Branch, Michigan, Principal, Anne Wood, and Reading Specialist, Amber White, have encouraged grade-level teams to choose and integrate technologies with special affordances for reading and writing. At planning meetings, teachers discuss their tech use, what worked, what didn't work and why.
3. Students in the Master's of Educational Technology program at Michigan State University belong to very active Facebook groups where member-colleagues share questions and tips about how, why, and when to use digital technologies. This is a very valuable resource that any professional learning community could emulate.

For more information about TPACK and how to build it, check out:

• http://mkoehler.educ.msu.edu/tpack-101/
• http://punya.educ.msu.edu/research/tpck/

References

Koehler, M.J. & Mishra, P. (2008). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge? In AACTE Committee on Innovation & Technology (Eds.). Handbook of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Educators (pp. 3-30). New York: Routledge.

From fairy tales and myths, to dragons and dystopias, fantasy literature is a genre that has enjoyed a long history. It is often said readers must suspend disbelief to thoroughly enjoy fantasy but the best fantasy transports readers to worlds that seem real where animals can talk and trees can speak and supernatural powers are expected. Book reviews this week from the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) explore some of the recent book releases into the world of fantasy.

ReadWriteThink.org offers several lessons involving fantasy literature including: “Let’s Build a Snowman” (K-2); “Enchanting Readers with Revisionist Fairy Tales” (grades 6-8); and “An Introduction to Graphic Novels” (grades 6-12). The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.

GRADES K-3

Catalanotto, Peter. (2012) Question Boy meets Little Miss Know-It-All. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

With the current popularity of superheroes, masked crusader Question Boy and his caricature-drawn neighbors and local municipal workers give readers a look at everyday superheroes. With his never-ending questions, Question Boy pesters the likes of Wonder Waitress, Garbage Man, Mechanic Man, and Oil Man with his relentless queries. His constant barrage of questions wear down all his neighbors and they eventually escape from him, often in a daze. Enter chatty Little Miss Know-It-All from the park. She begins to spout answers and answers and answers and what she doesn't know, she makes up! Readers will have to watch carefully to decipher the fact from the fantasy comebacks she has for Question Boy. As they  get acquainted the question and answer battle is on – to the point of a real face off between the two contenders. Hilarious results ensue. Parents will enjoy this book as much as young readers as they recall the eternal questions of young children. Author/illustrator Catalanotto read that most five-year olds ask more than 400 questions every day and that reminded him of his daughter and so the idea for this book was born.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant 

Corderoy, Tracy. (2012). Hubble bubble, Granny trouble. Illus. by Joe Berger. Somerville, MA: Candlewick/Nosy Crow.

Not all grandparents are alike, and in the case of the narrator, her grandmother is a pointy-hat wearing-witch whose long locks flow across her shoulders and whose witchy ambience attracts bats and black cats. Despite the granddaughter’s lack of fondness for some of the ingredients in the soups her ancestor concocts, she loves her Granny. Although she relishes how her witchy ways guarantee no waiting in line at the movies or dealing with crowds at the beach, try as she might, the girl wishes Granny were different than she is. After a makeover complete with new hairstyle and more matronly clothing, Granny looks just like everyone else. Clearly, life loses its savor and Granny is bored once she looks like everyone else. Deciding to embrace the things that make Granny unique, her would-be stylist accepts Granny exactly as she is. The pen, brush-pen, and digital illustrations are filled with pinks, purples, blacks, and grays, with some illustrations containing subtly amusing messages; for instance, the movie being advertised on the theater marquee is "Scary Poppins.”

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Dormer, Frank W. (2012). The obstinate pen. New York: Henry Holt.

This clever picture book will make a fun read aloud and writing mentor text in elementary classrooms. Uncle Flood, nephew to Horace, is a writer and purchases a brand new pen. He sits down to write and composes: “The following story is all true” but the pen does not write this sentence. Instead the pen writes, “You have a BIG nose.” Everything Uncle Flood tries to write, the pen ignores and writes something different. In anger, Uncle Flood throws the pen out the window and a police officer finds it. Later, Officer Wonkle tires to write a woman a ticket, but the pen writes, “Kiss that girl!” The officer tries to write the ticket again but then decides to take the pen’s advice and kiss Miss Weeble’s cheek. The pen continues to travel from person to person and eventually ends up in Horace’s hands. Horace admires his new pen and uses it in a unique and different way. Children could be invited to think of a different inanimate object such as a car, eraser, chair or book that could come to life and write and illustrate their own picture book.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Joose, Barbara. (2012). Old Robert and the sea-silly cats. Illus. by Jan Jutte. New York: Penguin/Philomel.

Life is quiet but good for Robert, a sailor. After all, he works hard on the water and enjoys navigating his boat along the waters.  He couldn't possibly need anything or anyone else. Or could he? Over the course of several nights, he encounters three unique cats, each with a special talent. One cat dances, another sings and plays a ukulele, and still another one deftly juggles objects. Despite his boat’s diminutive size, he manages to find a place for all three on his little vessel. When another cat with nothing special about her other than her essential felineness purrs her way into his heart, he takes her in too. Robert’s life is quiet no longer with his four cats along when he sails out of the harbor. The text describes how even a lonely sailor’s life can be improved with the addition of a cat or four while reminding readers that sometimes it's enough simply to be yourself to be loved. The soft-colored ink, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations show the cats' performances in cartoon-like fashion. This title is sure to tug at readers' hearts.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Joyce, William. (2012) The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  Illustrated by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Interestingly this story started as an animated short film and later an interactive book app for eReaders and tablets, and has now evolved into a book; a book about books. Mr. Morris Lessmore (named after the late publisher and children’s literature devotee William Morris) loses his personal library to a terrible storm. From his gray-colored world he watches a woman fly past pulled by a powerful string of books. One of those books leads him to an abandoned library in need of care so he begins the task of arranging the books. Eventually he is drawn to write a book of his own. Throughout the tale, the lively books fly around him and share their stories as the task of maintaining this library and collection of books develops. Joyce’s rich illustrations provide a nostalgic background to the lasting concept of the quality of stories and books. Watch the 2011 Academy Award winning short film based on this book and check out the $.99 book app.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

McCaughrean, Geraldine. (2012). The nutcracker: A magic theater book. Illus. by Kristina Swarner. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

In this adaptation of the holiday ballet classic, The Nutcracker, the author imagines that Marie finds romance in the form of a nutcracker that comes to life as the result of Marie's actions in defending him from a band of mice. In gratitude, the nutcracker-turned-prince takes her to his royal home where she is celebrated for her heroic actions. When Marie awakens from her dream, she is sad that the prince is nowhere to be found until Professor Drosselmeier, who brought the nutcracker to her as a gift in the first place, introduces her to his nephew. With a smile on her lips, Marie realizes that he seems surprisingly familiar. The lovely mixed media illustrations in this pop-up book are created from linoleum prints, watercolor, and colored pencils. This frothy yet haunting concoction is the perfect introduction to the story behind the ballet.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Ormerod, Jan. (2012).  Maudie and Bear. Illus. by Freya Blackwood.  New York: Penguin/Putnam. 

Temperamental Maudie is used to having her way. Luckily for her, her companion, Bear, is quite patient and quietly tolerates her detours, her rudeness, and her insecurities in a series of five different adventures. It's a good thing Maudie has Bear since not everyone would willingly leave a just-set table filled with all sorts of delicious breakfast items such as fruit and pancakes because Maudie has whimsically decided to take a walk instead of eating. When a misunderstanding leads to a fight, Bear is the one who soothes Maudie’s ruffled feathers. Even when the two settle together in a comfy chair to listen to a story, Maudie becomes annoyed since Bear, exhausted from a day trying to please her, keeps falling asleep. Despite Maudie’s annoying qualities, Bear loves her unconditionally. Perhaps someday Maudie will realize just how patient Bear has been with her and return the favor. Filled with soft, warm colors and reminiscent of images from a bygone era, the illustrations are lovely tributes to this relationship that often seems out of balance but, nevertheless, is filled with mutual affection.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Reynolds, Aaron. (2012). Creepy carrots! Illus. by Peter Brown. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Jasper Rabbit has a passion for carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field because they are fat, crisp and free for the taking. Jasper can’t get enough of these carrots and eats them everyday. But one day the carrots begin to follow Jasper. At first, he thinks he is imagining things but then notices the carrots have followed him home. When he looks a little closer, he can’t find them though. Maybe the creepy carrots aren't following him? During the middle of the night Jasper hears terrible, carroty breathing and notices a carrot shadow on his wall. He screams for his dad and together they can’t find any creepy carrots. Maybe Jasper’s eyes are playing tricks on him? Jasper then decides to build a fence around the Crackenhopper Field so that none of the creepy carrots will leave the patch again. The final page shows the carrots cheering because Jasper Rabbit will never eat them again. Peter Brown, illustrator, successfully used black and gray tones to highlight the bright orange carrots. In addition, he viewed classic black and white television shows such as The Twilight Zone, to help him think about illustration layout and design. Learn more about Peter at www.peterbrownstudio.com.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Roberton, Fiona. (2012). The perfect present. New York: Penguin/Putnam Juvenile.

Henry and Spot are such good friends that Spot, a duck that first came into Henry’s life in Wanted: The Perfect Pet (2010), spends a great deal of time finding his friend the perfect birthday present. Unfortunately, though, it seems that another present captures Henry's attention, leaving Spot forlorn and lonely. Disaster occurs when Spot decides to leave. But Henry hasn't forgotten Spot and has only been distracted briefly, and bringing along both presents, he searches for his friend. This lovely tribute to friendship, loyalty and the ability to make room in the heart for another friend contains simple line drawings with bits of muted colors such as green and yellow-orange that set off the characters appealingly.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rubin, Adam. (2012). Dragons love tacos. Illus. by Daniel Salmieri. Penguin/Dial. 

It turns out that dragons are exceptionally fond of tacos with all their yummy ingredients. But any youngster interested in feeding them tacos needs to heed the author’s warning not to use spicy salsa when preparing those tacos. Unfortunately, the youngster who plans a dragon taco party fails to read the fine print on the mild salsa container until it’s too late. Despite his attempts to stop them from chomping on the tacos, they have eaten salsa with spicy jalapeno peppers, leading to much fiery havoc. This funny fantasy tale and its watercolor, gouache, and color pencil illustrations provide a fresh perspective on dragons and on salsa.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 3-6

Jones, Diana Wynne. (2012) Earwig and the witch. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Unlike most orphans, Earwig is a perfectly happy orphan at St. Moralds in this early chapter book fantasy. Dropped off mysteriously as a baby, Earwig has since figured out a way to make everyone around her do exactly as she wants them to do, including Mrs. Briggs the Matron and all the other orphans at St. Moralds. She purposely does everything she can to avoid being adopted. One day that situation changes when the ugly witch Bella Yaga and her 9-foot tall demon companion the Mandrake adopt Earwig and take her to their home with the intention of making her a servant. With the help and friendship of Bella’s familiar, her cat Thomas, Earwig decides she wants to learn magic and get this new home functioning the way she wants it to be run. This very quick and early chapter book entry into fantasy has some eccentric and oddball characters including our quick-witted heroine, Earwig. Paul Zelinsky’s line drawings add to the humorous tone of the story. Readers can also listen to a video book talk of Earwig and the Witch online.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 5-8

Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2012) Splendors and glooms. Candlewick Press.

Newbery-award winning author, Laura Amy Schlitz, brings another historical novel about England to middle grade readers. The year is 1860, and the setting is London. The daughter of wealthy Dr. Wintermute, twelve-year old Clara is the last surviving sibling in her family. For her birthday, Clara insists on having a party with the puppets of strange Professor Grisini as the entertainment. He brings his two waif-like assistants, LizzieRose and Presefal. When the party is over, Clara has disappeared, and so has Professor Grisini. The puppet master has secreted them all away to the haunts of his old girlfriend and witch, Cassandra Sagredo. Sagredo is dying and needs the children to help steal a needed item. The three children band together to fight off the witch and regain their freedom. With a very Dickensian style, the characters each have a turn at narrating the story. Schlitz has created a mysterious tale of evil with a first touch of horror for young readers.Read an interesting Q & A with the author online.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12/Young Adult (YA):

Carey, Janet Lee. (2012). Dragonswood. New York: Penguin/Dial Books.

Unexpectedly, Tess, the daughter of a blacksmith who wields his hand against his daughter quite often, is accused of witchcraft in her small village near Dragonswood in 1192. Tortured into revealing the names of the two friends who accompanied her in the woods, during her trial by drowning, Tess is aided by a dragon. She and her friends put on the clothing of lepers in order to hide from the villagers as they live off the land. Eventually, they are befriended by a huntsman who had appeared in Tess’s dreams. As Tess ponders whether he is friend or foe while fighting romantic feelings for someone who speaks with dragons, she also learns the truth about her father and her own lineage. Readers will enjoy following Tess’s own path of self-discovery and empowerment while also swooning at the romantic possibilities in the book’s pages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Cashore, Kristin. (2012). Bitterblue. New York: Dial Books

(Companion to Graceling and Fire.) Eight years have passed since the story of Graceling ended and Bitterblue, now eighteen, is the queen of Monsea. The previous ruler, her father King Leck, had been a cruel leader and a sadistic mind controller. When Graceling Kasta killed Leck, few tears were shed at his death. Trying to heal the wounds from the former reign of terror, Bitterblue disguises herself as a peasant and goes out into the city at night to feel the pulse of the people and listen to their thoughts about how the kingdom is functioning now that Leck is dead and she is ruling the land. Interestingly, two thieves befriend her and their thoughts and opinions about the kingdom give Bitterblue insight into life within the realm. She learns that many leftover wounds and scars from her father’s horrific reign have not healed nor been corrected. Within the royal household she discovers she does not know whom she can trust and needs to rethink many of the things she has been told. Her life in the castle is fraught with lies, deception, ciphers, spies and thieves who make Bitterblue’s life as sovereign full of confusion and doubt. Like the previous novels, a touch of romance sparks the story and characters from the earlier novels are intertwined in this novel of palace intrigue. Bitterblue’s development as a queen and ruler is the basis of the story while sorting out the people she can trust to surround herself with as confidants. Her goal is to restore the Seven Kingdoms to its former respect and glory and find her niche as its queen. The strong plot makes this adventure fantasy a satisfying conclusion to the Graceling saga. Listen to the author read from Bitterblue or have fun with the Facebook page.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

McQuerry, Maureen Doyle. (2012). The peculiars. New York: Abrams/Amulet.

When Lena Mattacascar turns eighteen, she uses a small inheritance to set off for a strange land called Scree where her father reputedly lives. With her abnormally large hands and feet, Lena has always felt different from those around her, and she suspects that she might be what others call a Peculiar, someone with physical attributes unlike those of others. As Lena sets out on the first leg of her journey by train, she finds friendship--and maybe more--in Jimson Quiggley, a young man on the way to his first librarian job, and possibly a touch of romance or something more sinister in Thomas Saltre, a marshal looking for revenge for his own father’s death. A blend of fantasy and steam punk, the title effectively describes fears and prejudices, rooted in ignorance, toward the Peculiars, reminding readers of the basis of many prejudices today. Visit the IRA Engage/Teacher to Teacher blog to read the "5 Questions with...Maureen McQuerry".

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Marchetta, Melina. (2012). Froi of the exiles. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

In the second title of the Lumatere Chronicles and follow-up to Finnikin of the Rock (2010), the story follows a character with misdeeds in his past. Haunted by his past, royal guard Froi seems to have found the place he belongs, and some of his rougher edges have been smoothed. The curse on Lumatere was lifted three years ago, but the Queen and Finnikin still need protection, and Froi is honored to provide that service to them. But a secret mission to the kingdom of Charyn where things are decidedly—and horrifyingly—awry in the royal court shakes Froi to his core. As Froi unravels the mystery in this kingdom whose princess seems to be mad, something stirs within him, and he awakens to the possibilities that lie in his own future. Fans of fantasy will relish every word of this well-written saga that describes humans at their best and at their worst. Not only is the world created by this author detailed and possible but her characters are complex and intriguing. This title is not for the faint-hearted, but it is highly recommended.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

THE RED PYRAMID by Rick Riordan (Hyperion, 2010)
Grades 5-12

Imagine, if you will, a world in which you have lost everything and the only chance you have to save your family lies in believing you have magical powers. That is what Sadie and Carter Kane discover as their father disappears after blowing up the Rosetta Stone on their annual holiday outing. They become embroiled in a game of search and rescue to save their father—and the world—from destruction by their mortal enemy, the Egyptian god Set.

If you want to introduce your students to the world of fantasy, THE RED PYRAMID is a great book to begin with. Written in the form of an audio transcript by the two children, Riordan takes us on a journey through Egyptian mythology and history as part of the Kane children’s dangerous mission. The trials and tribulations that Sadie and Carter encounter as they continue their quest provide multiple opportunities for educators to teach their students about the genre of fantasy, while tying the storyline across the curriculum.

In addition, on their journey Sadie and Carter learn the values of trust, faithfulness, and accomplishment—as well as get to know each other after a period of separation. This is important to teach in the classroom as we build a community of learners who will learn these values as they work together throughout the year.

Cross-curricular Connections: reading, math, history, geography, writing, technology, art

Ideas for Classroom Use:

Family Timeline (Grades 5-12)

The characters in THE RED PYRAMID are tied together in one way or another, whether it’s as family members, Gods and Goddesses, or magicians. Rick Riordan weaves the lives of these characters throughout the book in order for Carter and Sadie to understand themselves as well as the life of Set and how to destroy him.

In this activity, students will identify significant events that have occurred within their family and create a timeline of these events. These events can take the place over a one, five, ten, or twenty year span (it is up to the teacher’s discretion and the purpose of the lesson). Explain to the students that they will need to have a certain number of events for that particular time period.

In order for the students to gain this information they will need to talk with family members. Remind them to gather information, photos, documents, and “artifacts” so that they can use them in their timeline and presentation.

Using the Timeline Tool from ReadWriteThink (or something comparable), students will create their personal timelines. Once finished, students will prepare a presentation to show their timeline to the class. For this, they will need to be able to access their timeline on a computer that projects onto a screen. A lower-tech version is to have them create this timeline on good old-fashioned poster board.

Marking the Miles (Grades 5-8)

In THE RED PYRAMID, Carter and Sadie are led through several countries and states in order to learn how to defeat Set. Each time they travel through an obelisk, it lands them in a new place. This opens up an excellent opportunity to strengthen geography and math skills as they travel with the Kane children throughout the book.

When conducting pre-reading activities with the class, introduce them to a map of the world. Explain to them that as they read, they’ll be tracking the location of Carter and Sadie. You can also include the locations of other characters for further reference. Begin by marking the locations of Carter and Sadie at the beginning of the story. You can do this with little pennants with the characters names on them, or some large tacks purchased at the dollar store.

As the class continues reading, tie lengths of red yarn between the pennants or tacks to represent the distance traveled between the locations. Each inch of yarn should equal a set amount, such as ten kilometers. This will allow you to create math problems for students to solve. For instance, if Carter was at Heathrow Airport, and Sadie was at her grandparents’ house, what is the distance between the two locations? Asking them to represent the distance with yarn asks them to utilize measuring skills as well.

As an extension to this activity, place students in groups of three to five and have them create math problems of their own. Groups can then exchange and solve each other’s problems.

The Quest for Meaning: Egyptian Vocabulary (Grades 5-12)

Rick Riordan uses a wide variety of vocabulary in THE RED PYRAMID to bring readers into the world of magicians and Ancient Egyptian culture. His use of these words make the text on the page “pop” out at the reader and pulls them into the intrigue and mystery that surround the Kane children. The purpose of these activities is for students to learn the terminology that was associated with Ancient Egyptian times.

Terms could include:

• obelisk
• hieroglyphics
• sarcophagus
• nome
• Shabti
• Pharaoh
• sphinx
• portal
• papyrus
• pyramid

To prepare for this activity, you’ll need to prepare numbered cards that have incomplete words on them (such as __ i __ r __ g __ __ p __ __ c __ for hieroglyphics). Next, you’ll need to create a laminated “cue” sheet to go along with the cards. The cue sheet will contain three-five meaning cues for the word on the card (matching numbers). Example cues for the word hieroglyphics could be: writing system, pictures, and many symbols.

A typical set of cards would consist of 15-20 words and cues. For easy storage, you can place a set of cards and the meaning cue sheet in a zip-top bag. You’ll need several sets so that multiple pairs of students can do the activity at one time.

Finally, you’ll need to create yes/no cards (4x6” is a good size). These will be used during the activity.

To complete the activity, students should be placed in teams of two, and each team given a bag. One student will be the player, while their partner will be the “host.” The host will show the player a card and provide them with a meaning cue. Keep going until the player can guess the word from the meaning cues. Then place the card in the “yes” pile.

If the player cannot guess what the word is after being given three clues, their partner will provide the word to them and place that word card in the “no” pile.

If they happen to guess words before any cues are given then they will need to provide the meaning of the word to their partner. If they provide the correct meaning, the card will be placed in the “yes” pile.

You may want to have each team member alternate between host and player after each word. They would then keep switching cards until all of them have been used.

Another adaptation to this activity would be for the teacher to only give the meaning cues (and not the word cards) to the students. Or, the teacher could expand on the vocabulary by adding words the students should already be familiar with for review purposes.

Additional Resources and Activities:

The Online World of Rick Riordan
This is the official website of Rick Riordan, where you can find information about all of Riordan’s books, including biographical information. Of particular note is the RED PYRAMID Egyptian Event Kit (found under “Resources for Students & Teachers” on the book page). It offers discussion questions, a “family tree” of (and guide to) Egyptian gods, and a multitude of additional ideas that make it easy to include the book in your classroom curriculum.

Ancient Egypt: Stories and Myths (Grades 3-5)
This website, from National Geographic Xpeditions, has lesson plans that provide a wealth of information and are written in a way that enables teachers to incorporate them into their instruction immediately. Though the site skews slightly younger than the book’s audience, the content is easily adapted to fit the needs of older students as well.

Family Ties for Teachers and Parents
This website provides ideas, videos, and interactives that will aid teachers in planning units that ask students to build family trees, learn the art of letter writing, and explore history through the stories of their families.

Where Are We? Learning to Read Maps (Grades 3-5)
Designed to teach students geography skills by learning how to read maps and legends, students can then apply these skills to locating places within their communities. Again, although the lesson is written for students in grades 3 to 5, it can easily be adapted to fit grades 5 and up.

Using Story Innovation to Teach Fluency, Vocabulary, and Structure (Grades 3-6)
This lesson plan provides students an opportunity to change a text to personalize it with characters, setting, and story elements. The new version of the story is then read aloud to increase students’ fluency while allowing them to compare and contrast their version with that of the original version.

Susan Kaye Jennings is a graduate assistant at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Previously, she taught self-contained life skills to students in (K-5) for nine and a half years. at the same elementary school she went to as a child. Her passions include teaching reading to children with special needs, working with teachers to determine effective instructional methods/strategies, using reading assessment to drive instruction in the classroom, and using children's literature in the classroom.



Rick Riordan to be Opening General Session Speaker at IRA Convention 2013

Putting Books to Work: George O’Connor’s HADES: LORD OF THE DEAD

by Judith Hayn

Lane, Andrew. (2011).  Rebel Fire  Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins.  New York, NY: Farrar Strauss Giroux.

Imagine Sherlock Holmes as a fourteen-year old who is growing up in England just after the Civil War. What if a reader had a chance to peer into the great fictional detective’s mind and soul as he learns the skills that will make him the sleuth he will become? Andrew Lane continues Sherlock’s coming of age (Death Cloud, 2011) series with this sequel, published in England as Red Leech. Mystery and adventure fans will appreciate this page-turner as the action takes off like a rocket from the Prologue to the last chapter.

Sherlock’s tutor is still Amyus Crowe, who at the instigation of elder brother Mycroft Holmes, teaches the teen to view his surrounding with the eyes of an observant scientist and to think logically while analyzing what he sees. John Wilkes Booth seems to have survived the carnage of his supposed capture and death and is being used as a figurehead by a group of nefarious Americans who want to re-establish the Confederacy. The villains kidnap Matty, Sherlock’s best friend, in order to discover what the English know about the scheme. In order to stymie the plot, Mycroft sends Sherlock to the states with Crowe and the schoolmaster’s attractive daughter Virginia.

Lane, in his Author’s Note, gives the historical and scientific sources he used in creating the young Sherlock. He explains that he wants readers to see where the teen might have acquired some of the characteristics that became such a part of the adult Holmes. In this case, a violinist is on the ship that takes the trio to America, and he gives Sherlock the lessons that introduce him to his favorite instrument that later soothes his troubled spirit.

Violence abounds in this historical period piece while the characters emerge as heroes and cads, and the setting rings true whether in England or in America. Getting to know Sherlock Holmes as a lad is a worthwhile trip indeed—even if the reader is not a fan of Doyle’s detective.

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).