"Children at the start of school, but young adolescents by springtime, sixth graders are very much into 'becoming.' Their curiosity is heightened, their desire for activity and involvement is all too apparent. Guiding the learning of these diverse, in-motion kids is a demanding but fun-filled challenge, and this useful book is up to the task. The authors provide sound, imaginative, and effective techniques and strategies for helping youth build their abilities to appreciate and use language. This is a treasure chest of information that teachers will want to keep on hand."/m-/John H. Lounsbury, EdD, Georgia College & State University

"Wood and Mraz introduce the unique challenges faced by early adolescent learners and offer instructional strategies that meet students' emotional, social, and intellectual needs. Through classroom descriptions, case scenarios, and practical teaching strategies, the authors have created an invaluable, much-needed resource for preservice and new sixth-grade literacy teachers."--Erica C. Boling, PhD, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

"This book is a 'must read' for beginning middle-school literacy and content area educators. It will provide you with foundational knowledge of the sixth-grade learner and of effective middle school practices, such as block scheduling, team planning, and communicating with families. You form a relationship with 'Ms. A' as you walk step by step with her through planning your year, responding to state standards and grade level expectations, implementing a variety of teaching methods with a diverse population of students, and motivating and assessing students along the way. This book sets new middle school educators up for success in their first year of teaching!"--Karyn Carlson, MS, literacy specialist and education consultant, Estero, Florida

"Wood and Mraz hit the bull's-eye with this new and compelling exploration of middle school literacy. They provide revealing and authentic insights into the work of sixth-grade teachers and offer a blueprint for teaching and learning in a standards-based curriculum. This book belongs in every middle school teacher's professional library. It will serve well as a college text or guide to professional growth and development."--Jo Anne L. Vacca, PhD and Richard T. Vacca, PhD, Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies (Emeriti), Kent State University

"Wood and Mraz have crafted an extremely comprehensive and practical guide for engaging sixth-grade students in meaningful, developmentally appropriate literacy learning. By walking in the shoes of one middle school teacher, educators will gain insight and best-practice strategies that can be immediately adopted and implemented in any sixth-grade classroom." --Mary Anne Rossbach, MSEd, sixth-grade teacher, Sunrise Valley Elementary School, Reston, Virginia