Dr. Janet Allen, PhEd
Dr. Allen's Books
More Tools for Teaching Content LiteracyStenhouse Publishers
October 2008
ISBN: 1571107711
In Tools for Teaching Content Literacy Janet Allen put a wealth of research-based instructional tools at teachers' fingertips to help students make connections with informational resources and to read critically. More Tools for Teaching Content Literacy extends this treasure trove with 25 new instructional strategies -- from Expert Groups to Point-of-View Guides, to Wordstorming -- using the same compact, tabbed flipchart format. Each of the strategies includes:
- a brief description of the instructional tool;
- an exploration of how and why the tool would be used for instruction in content classes;
- graphic organizers;
- models;
- step-by-step instructions to support using and adapting the instructional strategy;
- a research base that documents the origin, adaptations, and related reading for understanding the effectiveness of the strategy.
Like its predecessor, More Tools is a handy reference that provides instant access to succinct descriptions, practical strategies, and manageable assessments, allowing teachers to save time and be more flexible and confident in meeting students' needs.
Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary, Grades 4-12Stenhouse Publishers
October 2007
ISBN: 1571103996
We've learned a lot in recent years about the important role vocabulary plays in making meaning, yet many teachers still struggle with vocabulary instruction that goes beyond weekly word lists. Effective vocabulary instruction is particularly vital in the content areas, where the specialized language used by “insiders” often creates a barrier to understanding for those new to the subjects. In Inside Words, Janet Allen merges recent research and key content-area teaching strategies to show teachers how to help students understand the academic vocabulary found in textbooks, tests, articles, and other informational texts.
Each instructional tool is listed alphabetically along with its purpose: building background knowledge; teaching words that are critical to comprehension; providing support during reading and writing; developing a conceptual framework; and assessing students' understanding of words and concepts.
Inside Words builds on Janet's previous books Words, Words, Words and Tools for Teaching Content Literacy, to provide a much-needed middle and secondary school resource for teaching vocabulary, not only in the language arts, but in all of the content areas.
Reading History: A Practical Guide to Improving Literacywith Christine Landaker
Oxford University Press USA, January 2005
ISBN: 0195165969
Janet Allen discusses strategies for teaching nonfiction reading using Joy Hakim's award winning A History of US series as the center of a blossoming campaign among educators to integrate literacy and history. Classroom tested at a variety of grade levels, real student samples are interspersed throughout the book providing clearer understanding of the strategies in action.
