Amber M. Simmons

The book opens as a beginner primer to Systemic Functional Linguistics, providing a brief but relevant background on theorists and methodologies as well as examples of different types of SFL analyses. From there, the book explores how students can use linguistic tools such as the appraisal system as well as modality and identification analyses that made visible the ways in which language positioned people to think and behave in a particular ways, supporting critical literacy as well as ELA standards. The book provides insight and examples of student work showing students' differing experiences and levels of confidence in performing SFL with various genres, evidence of critical growth and language awareness in student dialogue, as well as growth and writing development was reflected in student writing. Resources and student examples will also be included to help teacher practitioners and teacher candidates increase student achievement in reading comprehension and argumentative writing.

This honest, clearly written, and accessible book shows how to use Family Dialogue Journals to increase and deepen learning among students in grades K-12. Written by teachers who have been implementing and studying the use of weekly journals for several years, the book shares what they have learned and why they have found these journals to be an invaluable tool for forming effective partnerships with families. Learn from first-hand accounts how students write weekly about one big idea they have studied, and then invite a family member to participate in the discussion by asking him/her to write a response to the student’s question about the topic in the journal. Through these journal entries, students share their family knowledge with classmates while actively engaging with the curriculum. In turn, teachers extend the academic discussion by writing to each family and incorporating the family contributions into classroom lessons. Family participation in journal entries is remarkably high across ages, ethnicities, and diverse economic backgrounds.

This honest, clearly written, and accessible book shows how to use Family Dialogue Journals to increase and deepen learning among students in grades K-12. Written by teachers who have been implementing and studying the use of weekly journals for several years, the book shares what they have learned and why they have found these journals to be an invaluable tool for forming effective partnerships with families. Learn from first-hand accounts how students write weekly about one big idea they have studied, and then invite a family member to participate in the discussion by asking him/her to write a response to the student’s question about the topic in the journal. Through these journal entries, students share their family knowledge with classmates while actively engaging with the curriculum. In turn, teachers extend the academic discussion by writing to each family and incorporating the family contributions into classroom lessons. Family participation in journal entries is remarkably high across ages, ethnicities, and diverse economic backgrounds.