Every Child a Super Reader

by Pam Allyn, Ernest Morrell

When we take children's key strengths and immerse them in an intellectually invigorating, emotionally nurturing, literature-rich community, we grow "super readers"—avid readers who consume texts with passion, understanding, and a critical eye.

Organized around the 7 Strengths inherent in super readers (belonging, curiosity, friendship, kindness, confidence, courage, and hope), this powerful resource helps

• Develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills
• Learn comprehension strategies
• Build a robust vocabulary
• Deepen analytical prowess and an ability to talk and write about text
• Develop empathy, a strong identity as a reader, and an expanded understanding of the world

Featuring stirring reading and writing lessons, robust assessment tools, ready-to-share Family Guides, and embedded videos that illuminate the 7 strengths and more, Every Child a Super Reader shows teachers, parents, caregivers, and out-of-school providers why reading is the ultimate super power, opening a world of possible for every student.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2016

About the author

PAM ALLYN is the author of an inspirational and practical book for parents, teachers, and caregivers entitled What to Read When , which was published by Penguin in April 2009.

Her first professional book, The Complete 4: How to Teach Reading and Writing Through Daily Lessons, Monthly Units and Yearlong Calendars , was published by Scholastic in November 2007. This groundbreaking book was recently followed by Pam’s series of grade level books chock-full with day to day lessons called The Complete Year published by Scholastic in 2008 and co-authored with her LitLife colleagues.

Pam is the Executive Director of LitLife, a nationally recognized organization specializing in transformative school improvement through literacy education. She is also the Executive Director of LitWorld, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing quality education to the world’s most vulnerable children.

She is the Founding Director of Books for Boys. For nine years, this program has been acclaimed for its innovative efforts on behalf of at-risk boys, and its work is replicated in other foster care agencies. Pam also spearheads an initiative called “The Family Story Power Project” which brings literacy rich curriculum to families and children.

Pam is the recipient of the James Patterson Page Turner Award for excellence in bringing literacy to underserved populations. She has also received a Disney Points of Light Foundation Award for her work bringing books and literacy to children. In May 2007 The Children's Village, the nation’s largest residential treatment center for foster care children presented Pam with its Legacy of Service Award for her tireless efforts to bring the magic of books and reading to children.

She is a motivational speaker for audiences of teachers, administrators, librarians and parents. She has been featured on The Today Show. Prior to founding LitLife, she was the Director of Funded Projects at the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.

Pam is on the Advisory Board of the Dream Charter School in Harlem, the Leadership Council of Global Action for Children, the Advisory Board of the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement and the English Language Arts Scope and Sequence Advisory Group for the New York City Department of Education.

Reviews

[Kevin Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Hope permeates through this book and how one audience is family

[Christine Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

First professional book of the summer! Great read, lots of practical things to remember to keep doing to support all readers in the classroom.

[Scott Fillner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, all encompassing resource for teachers, Ed leaders, and caregivers. This is definitely a book that will be reread early and often. I cannot wait to incorporate ideas from this book into the classroom.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited as I read this because I feel like I have several of these principles already in place within my classroom. The book is very friendly with excellent connections to other titles, home connections and mini lesson plans. My favorite part was the opening of each chapter and how the author described similar learners. I believe it will allow for excellent conversations for upcoming 3-5 literacy leads.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful resource. Can't wait to implement the 7 Strengths into my classroom this year. So many other awesome tidbits!

[Melanie Clawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book and find out more about how to connect social-emotional learning and literacy. I was disappointed in the end. A lot of what is recommended in this book are things that I already do, I was hoping that I would be able to glean some new techniques. I was excited by the book recommendations in the back to match the Seven Strengths and look forward to using some of these in my classroom. I was a bit disappointed that most of the information in this book was a repeat of things that I already knew or had read in my literacy courses.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide for educators and parents to cultivate Super Readers: children who read with purpose while learning social-emotional skills (belonging, curiosity, friendship, kindness, confidence, courage, and hope). For each social-emotional skill, the authors provide context for why this skill is important, ways to promote it in the classroom, an example of a focused lesson and close reading, and ways for families to incorporate it in their daily life.

This is less about teaching reading and more about teaching critical reading, so use this for mature 2nd graders to 5th graders.

[Jessica McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resources, including worksheets you can copy, sample schedules that are practical, and pointers for digital supplements as well.

The message is amazing, and the tips and tools make creating a community of Super Readers seem wonderfully doable.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 7 strengths described in this book are the habits I want to instill in the children in my classroom - as readers, yes, and as learners of all things. It will stay by me as a work through each part of my day and year. Belonging to hope...powerful learning tools.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the 7 strengths and would use that in setting up my reading culture. There were also many great ideas to pull from. However, much of the book was nothing new. If I had to do it again, I would just skim for ideas to use and not read it all.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much goodness about the whole reader and big goals with ideas to get there. All thoughts anchored to 7 strengths.

[Michelle Love-Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read for a reminder on how to incorporate reading into the school, classroom, and the student's life. No ground breaking research.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new in this books about "creating super-readers." Read more. Read what you want to read!

[Debra Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Loved the ideas and interwoven social emotional connections to reading. Great for teachers looking to build their classroom community around literacy.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book was organized. Teachers will find all of the information very useful and easy to replicate in the classroom.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for October's Parenting by the Book

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Quick Guide (an excerpt of the real book I suppose) was sent to me by Scholastic. Who can ignore a title that uses "super reader?" The 10 Fundamental Principles reminded me of everything I'm studying now in my reading endorsement classes. They also reminded me of things written by Donalyn Miller. I did not watch any video clips. I was interested to know what the 7 Strengths were and felt a bit disappointed to learn that they include: Belonging, Curiosity, Friendship, Kindness, Confidence, Courage, and Hope. Those are all wonderful traits we should all acquire, however, it sounded more like the Cub Scout Motto to me (or the Bully Blocker program we use in our school). The Family Guide is a nice idea, but I have no time/access for teaching it to parents.

Yes, the Super Reader Movement HAS begun! It began a LONG time ago! And this seems like the same white horse, different color.

[Candy Shepard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isn't this just another way to bring character traits and morals to the classroom? I honestly mean no harm. Who would ever disarm a program that would/could do just that? But, I still don't see the "readers' connection." I see that morals and disciple should be applied to all facades of life, and it saddens me that we are in a position in society that we have to sell it deceitfully. And while making the school/ family connection is great, it is not the teachers' responsibility to educate the family on character traits. We already have the world on our shoulders.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great resource and full of ideas! I love the lesson seeds and ideas for parents.