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Active readers  people who choose to read often and who love to read.
Assessment portfolio  a year-long collection of a child's work that may be used in various ways by the teacher and child; for instance, a child can select from a month of writings the one that should go in the file.
Attribute web  a graphic organizer in which a word or idea is placed at the center of a chart with spokes radiating toward related attributes, or characteristics of that word.
Basal reading program  a commercial reading program that is a complete package of reading materials, practice activities (usually workbooks), and assessment materials.
Book selection  the choice of books for a library's collection; the goal of selection is to include a book on the basis of its quality of writing and total impact.
Booktalk  a brief talk that has the purpose of introducing and building interest in a book; the booktalk often includes a description of an exciting event in the book.
Buddy reading  buddy reading involves students from older grades reading with partners in the kindergarten or first grade. Younger children proudly share a book that they can read with their buddies, and the older children then read a book to their partners. Younger children look forward to their buddy time (which is usually once a week), and the older students take a special interest in the progress of their special child.
Censorship  specifically excluding a book from a library or a classroom due to disagreement with or disapproval of the book's content.
Comparison chart  a chart that details the similarities and differences between two or more things.
Concepts of print test  an assessment designed by Marie Clay that can help teachers learn what children know about book handling and the function of print.
Creative drama  creative drama is structured and cooperatively planned playmaking, an approach to learning that focuses on processes rather than production. While occasionally a play developed creatively will be shared with others, the value of creative drama lies in the process of playing and does not require an audience. Creative drama activities exist on a continuum from interpretation to improvisation and can include pantomime, story dramatization, improvisation, reader's theater, and puppetry.
Dialogue journal  a journal in which students and teachers or students and other students conduct a written conversation.
Diorama  a three-dimensional model that depicts a scene from a book.
Double-entry draft  a double-entry draft is a two-sided journal entry in which the reader copies or paraphrases a quote from the book on the left half of the paper. On the right, the reader comments on the quote. Teachers react to both of these journals and engage in a written dialogue with the reader (thereby creating a dialogue journal).
Dramatic play  a 5-year-old engaged in impromptu play might become an airplane zooming to the airport built of blocks; another assumes the role of mother in the playhouse. Sometimes children of this age will play a very familiar story without adult direction. For example, "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" and "The Three Bears" are often favorites. Dramatic play represents the free response of children as they interpret experience.
Feltboard  A large board constructed of felt; felt cut-outs will stick to this board and can be used to act-out a story.
Improvisation  spontaneous action.
Integrated curriculum  a curriculum that is not separated into study in distinct subject areas, integrated curriculum may take the form of a theme study in which explorations in subject-related areas arises logically and naturally.
Intonation patterns  the way in which a speaker changes the tone of his or her voice to convey expression.
Jackdaw  a collection based on a historical event or period that often includes facsimile copies of diaries, letters, newspaper articles, advertisements, and other evidence from the time.
Lifetime reader  a person who enjoys and recognizes the value of reading as a life-long key to learning and pleasure.
Literature extensions  activities based on the experience of reading a book.
Literature-based program  a reading program that is centered around the enjoyment of quality children's literature; programs in which trade books are used for all aspects of reading instruction and for integrating traditional areas of the curriculum are an accepted alternative to skills-oriented, textbook-based programs; in a literature-based program, classrooms are flooded with books.
Media exploration  an exploration of the different materials artists have used to create illustrations.
Miscue analysis  an analysis of the miscues (omissions, substitutions, insertions) a child makes while reading can help the teacher understand the child's way of thinking while reading and the child's problem-solving strategies.
Mural  a large picture that is meant to be displayed on a wall or ceiling.
Pantomime  to convey action and emotion through gesture without using speech.
Portfolio  a collection of work selected to represent the creator of the work's abilities.
Readers' Theater  Reader's Theater involves a group of children in reading a play, a story, or a poem. Children are assigned to read particular parts. After reading through their parts silently, children read the text orally.
Reading log  a reading log is a simple record of the title and author of each book a child has read.
Response journal  in a response journal, children record their comments as they read a novel. Children respond freely as they think about their reading and write about the things that concern or interest them.
Semantic map  a graphic organizer in which a word or idea is placed at the center of a chart with spokes radiating toward related words, attributes, or other examples.
Sustained silent reading (SSR)  a time when everyone in the class (in some instances, the entire school) reads, including the teacher.
Teachable moment  a time at which the instruction of a certain strategy or discussion of certain information is appropriate because of its direct relevancy to the current activity in the classroom.
Trade books  books published for the general public to use and enjoy, as opposed to books designed and marketed specifically for classroom instruction.
Venn diagram  a diagram that makes use of circles, represents groups, and shows the relationships between groups.







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