Cris Tovani

Practical, engaging account of how teachers can help adolescents develop new reading comprehension skills. You will be taken step-by-step through practical, theory-based reading instruction that can be adapted for use in any subject area.

Comprehension Strategies for Adolescent Readers

I Read It, But I Don't Get it

Takes on the challenge of helping students apply reading comprehension strategies in any subject. Shows how teachers can expand on their content expertise to provide instruction students need to understand specific technical and narrative texts. The book includes: examples of how teachers can model their reading process for students; ideas for supplementing and enhancing the use of required textbooks; detailed descriptions of specific strategies taught in context; stories from different high school classrooms to show how reading instruction varies according to content; samples of student work, including both struggling readers and college-bound seniors; a variety of 'comprehension constructors': guides designed to help students recognize and capture their thinking in writing while reading; guidance on assessing students; tips for balancing content and reading instruction.

Content Comprehension, Grades 6-12

Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?

In So What Do They Really Know? Cris Tovani explores the complex issue of monitoring, assessing, and grading students' thinking and performance with fairness and fidelity. Like all teachers, Cris struggles to balance her student-centered instruction with school system mandates. Her recommendations are realistic and practical; she understands that what isn't manageable isn't sustainable. Cris describes the systems and structure she uses in her own classroom and shows teachers how to use assessments to monitor student growth and provide targeted feedback that enables students to master content goals. She also shares ways to bring students into the assessment cycle so they can monitor their own learning, maximizing motivation and engagement. So What Do They Really Know? includes a wealth of information: Lessons from Cris's classroom Templates showing how teachers can use the workshop model to assess and differentiate instruction Student work, including samples from linguistically diverse learners, struggling readers, and college-bound seniors Anchor charts of student thinking Ideas on how to give feedback Guidelines that explain how conferring is different from monitoring Suggestions for assessing learning and differentiating instruction during conferences Advice for managing ongoing assessment Cris's willingness to share her own struggles continues to be a hallmark of her work. Teachers will recognize their own students and the challenges they face as they join Cris on the journey to figure out how to raise student achievement.

Assessment that Informs Teaching and Learning

So what Do They Really Know?

"The book uses the metaphor of a mask (Invisibility, Anger, Class Clown, etc.) our most challenging students wear to hide their reasons not to engage in reading and writing"--

Cris Tovani

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