Reading and Writing Together: Collaborative Literacy in Action

Meaningful literacy experiences and exchanges in the classroom depend on a core set of values. That set of values depends on an environment of trust. Literature circles work only if students will talk. And students will talk only if they're willing to take a risk. Which brings us full circle: success in literacy takes participation born of trust, a positive group dynamic built on sharing tasks, maintaining good working relationships, and examining group functioning. Nancy Steineke's experience in her high-school classrooms proves that a truly collaborative environment is at the heart of all she accomplishes with literacy. Her book tells why and how.

Nancy moves students through a series of lessons that refine their skills while deepening their interests in reading, writing, and listening to the opinions of others - essential academic skills at the core of any collaborative literacy task. She offers a multitude of practical strategies that include:

• practices that encourage students to take responsibility for their work and behavior
• teaching collaborative skills, then reinforcing their use
• careful listening, questioning, and meaningful conversation about text
• Literature Circle management and troubleshooting
• timesaving and effective assessments for SSR, writing, Literature Circles, projects, and performances
• high-interest writing projects and peer revision
• developing portfolios that celebrate accomplishment.

Nancy Steineke consults nationally as a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and literacy coach for K-12 teachers. She specializes in content-area literacy, nonfiction writing, purposeful close reading, literature circles, and student engagement. Nancy keeps the focus on manageable teaching strategies that best benefit students. A published author and accomplished teacher, Nancy has been featured in classroom videos for Best Practice and Comprehension and Collaboration. Her groundbreaking work with book clubs and student led discussion groups is captured in her books Assessment Live! and Reading and Writing Together. A frequent collaborator with Harvey "Smokey" Daniels, they have co-authored Mini-Lessons for Literature Circles; Texts and Lessons for Content Area Reading; and Texts and Lessons for Literature. Nancy presents annually at the National Council of Teachers of English, International Reading Association, and various state conferences. She is also an Illinois Writing Project leader. Along with Harvey Daniels, Nancy has organized and led over 50 multi-day residential institutes for teachers in locations around the United States.