Category Archives: Common Core State Standards

Posts related to teaching with the Common Core Standards.

Book Lists by Topic, Common Core State Standards, Diversity, Race, and Representation, Educator Resources

Our 10 Favorite Multicultural Books for Second Grade

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Reading books with children at a young age not only helps them better prepare for school, but it also opens their minds to new cultures and experiences. Exposing children early to both “mirror” and “window” books – that is, books in which they can see themselves, and books in which they can learn about others- is the best way to create engaged readers and support social and emotional growth.

Lee & Low Books offers hundreds of great books for second graders. Our books include English, Spanish, and bilingual titles; books about many different cultures; books that span a wide range of subjects and themes; and both fiction and nonfiction. Browse our prek-2 classroom collections to see what we offer, and check out our other book lists by grade:

Our 10 Favorite Multicultural Books for Preschool

Our 8 Favorite Multicultural Books for Kindergarten

Our 10 Favorite Multicultural Books for First Grade

While we have hundreds of titles to choose from, here are 10 of our absolute favorite diverse books for second grade!  Continue reading →

Book Lists by Topic, Common Core State Standards, Diversity, Educator Resources, ELL/ESL and Bilingual Books, Special Education, Summer

2017 Diverse Summer Reading List Grades PreK-8

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June is finally here, summer is (almost) here, and that means that summer reading 2017 page 1the 2017 Diverse Summer Reading List PreK-8 from LEE & LOW is here!

Click here to download, print, and share the 2017 Diverse Summer Reading List Grades PreK-8 along with the LEE & LOW Reading Log and Certificate of Achievement. 

This list is not only an excellent tool to help you include diverse books in your summer suggested reading lists, but a way to begin diversifying the books available to students in your classroom libraries. It is important to remember that diverse books are not only for diverse readers. Reading books featuring diverse characters and communities mirror experiences in their own lives, allowing children to see themselves reflected in the stories they love, but they also provide windows into other life experiences to understand and be more accepting of the world around them. Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources

What is Culturally Responsive Teaching?

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We recognize:

  • Our classrooms today include diverse learners and learning needs
  • There are many initiatives and areas of focus competing for limited classroom time and educators’ attention
  • Some learners need additional supports
  • But with the right tools and support, we at LEE & LOW BOOKS believe all teachers can learn and excel in culturally responsive teaching

But…what is culturally responsive teaching? Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Diversity, Race, and Representation, Educator Resources

Teaching the Diverse Narratives of US History

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In this guest post, educator and writer Tami Charles presents text- dependent questions and inquiry-based activities for students to practice close reading and critical thinking with the book Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh. Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources

Webinar: Using Multicultural Children’s Poetry to Inspire Poetry Appreciation

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Does your National Poetry Month reflect our nation? Learn how to find and use multicultural and diverse poetry in your classroom!

Join Lee & Low Books for a free webinar with Share My Lesson’s 5th annual Ideas & Innovations Virtual Conference, March 14-16, 2017.

Get ready for inspiring an appreciation for verse and encouraging your students to write poetry themselves!

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Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources, ELL/ESL and Bilingual Books

Bebop Books: Guided Reading Book Sets for the Classroom

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Bebop Books is an exclusive imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS that offers leveled books for guided reading and assessment in the classroom—all with the same commitment to diversity and cultural authenticity that sets all LEE & LOW books apart. In this blog post, we want to spotlight this special imprint and all it offers.

In 2014, children of color became the new majority in America’s public schools, so now more than ever, it’s important that classroom books and materials reflect today’s students.   Our Bebop Books resources are used in classrooms across the country to support literacy learning content for beginning readers, with multicultural content that affirms identity for all students. Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources, Guest Blogger Post

Shame the Stars: Teaching Forgotten Narratives

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Guest BloggerIn this guest post, educator and writer Tami Charles presents text-dependent questions and inquiry-based activities for students to practice close reading and critical thinking with the book Shame the Stars. Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources

Close Reading in High School: Ink and Ashes

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Featured title: Ink and Ashes

Written by: Valynne Maetani

Synopsis

When Japanese American Claire Takata finds out that her deceased father was once a member of the yakuza, a Japanese crime syndicate, danger enters her life that could end up killing someone. Winner of Tu Books’ New Visions Award, Ink and Ashes is a fascinating debut novel packed with romance, intrigue, and heart-stopping action.

Themes: trust, honesty, honor, family, teamwork, forgiveness Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources

Building Classroom Community in Second Grade

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Check out LEE & LOW BOOKS’ Building Classroom Community Unit for Second Grade! The FREE and downloadable unit consists of eight read aloud lesson plans to inspire your best classroom community yet. Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards, Educator Resources, Uncategorized

Building Classroom Community in First Grade

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Check out LEE & LOW BOOKS’ Building Classroom Community Unit for First Grade! The FREE and downloadable unit consists of eight read aloud lesson plans to inspire your best classroom community yet.

Continue reading →