Genre Connections: Lessons to Launch Literary and Nonfiction Texts

by Tanny McGregor

"These lessons work. And not just for kids who read well. They also work for kids who struggle in reading, who don't respond to abstract concepts."
-Tanny McGregor Inside, every kid wants to love reading-sometimes they need our help to see it. That's where Tanny McGregor's memorable, sensory-driven lessons come in. "The chapters in this book," she writes, "are a collection of ideas about how to launch genres, how to introduce your students to the personalities of each, and how to build a curiosity and appreciation for what each genre has to offer. Use the seed ideas suggested in this volume with a genre of your choice and see how it grows!" Genre Connections makes learning achievable, accessible, and incremental for all readers-including struggling readers. Tanny's lessons use everyday objects, works of art, music, and her much-loved anchor charts to help readers get acquainted with seven commonly taught genres and to discover what makes them unique. Her launching sequences gradually release responsibility for learning about text types, and they can be adapted for any genre. They help readers weave creative, sensory threads into a tapestry of understanding by taking them from a fun introductory object lesson to an immersive experience. Looking for the perfect partner for Tanny's Comprehension Connections ? Or for a new way to bring the inner reader out in any student? Let the ideas in Genre Connections inspire you to help your students get to know genres quickly, confidently, and effectively.

Genres: Education, Teaching, School, Professional Development, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2013

Reviews

[Celina Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGregor has designed yet another eloquent sequence of Arts-infused lessons, perfect for any classroom. Students and teachers can embrace the genres together through these well crafted ideas. The lesson structure is also intentionally open-ended for teachers to authenticate by adding their own variety and creativity as they strive to meet the needs of the learners in their own classrooms.

As an advocate for the whole child approach to education, I recommend this book, along with its companion "Comprehension Connections", to all educators. Both provide a strong foundation for turning abstract concepts concrete and allowing metaphoric language to become a natural part of the learning process. Engaging students in thoughtful processes that support and challenge their thinking is absolutely possible through these resources.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Tanny McGregor doesn't disappoint. Read to participate in a discussion with the third and fifth grade Language Arts teachers in my school, I found Genre Connections to be at times informative, and at times affirming.

In true informational text style, I skipped over chapters 3 and 5 (adventure/fantasy and drama, respectively) because my content this year does not specifically address these genres. I intend to reread the book with a focus on the skipped chapters this summer. Much like her Comprehension Connections, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Biography/Autobiography/Memoir and Informational Text chapters are ripe with teaching gold and have immediate steps a both a new and seasoned teacher can try out immediately in the classroom. She again has the concrete objects to help kids make the "connection" from their lives to an abstract genre, but I particularly liked her inclusion of art and music into the mix. As a teacher, myself, I use both regularly with my kids.

My favorite chapter, though, was the Image Reading chapter. Ever since I became familiar with Visual Thinking Strategies thanks to the training from Smithsonian American Art Museum, I am a bonafide believer in the power and the complexity of "reading" pictures and images with kids. This chapter doesn't disappoint and gave me even more ammunition to place in my arsenal.

I look forward to meeting with my colleagues and friends to discuss McGregor's book, and only wish that I hadn't waited to read it for so long.

Highly recommended!

[Guida Al·lès · Rating 3 out of 5]

Com ensenyar als alumnes de primària a distingir els gèneres textuals de les lectures? Seqüències didàctiques creatives amb la mateixa estructura que les de les estratègies (objecte, música, art/ modelatge, pràctica compartida...). El punt fort: pràctic, a punt d´aplicar. El punt dèbil: A vegades l´estructura resulta forçada. Però val la pena conèixer-lo.

[Lou Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tanny's suggestions of using images and music to teach genre. Her ideas for scaffolding instruction beginning with a concrete object and moving students to think about genre more critically helped me to think about introducing and teaching genres in a way I never considered before.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some nice suggestions on how to introduce different genres to students. The importance of the concrete experience in Tanny's launching sequence became evident to me throughout this book. The chapters were short and sweet and it was an informative read.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

More great ideas for making the abstract concrete through various modes of teaching. Tanny McGregor connects many of her ideas from Comprehension Connections to her work in Genre Connections. Good companion books for an ELA program. The ideas can be adapted for a variety of grade levels.

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book, while I attended a training using this book. Has some great ideas about introducing each genre with a concrete connection so that kids have a concrete object to start with before moving into the abstract.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for a grad course, and it was a good read. McGregor has a wonderful method of teaching using objects to make the abstract concrete. Reading/ELA teachers grades 3-8 would benefit from giving this a try.

[Tenille Shade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one I will pick up and return tow on and off depending on the Genre we are learning about.

[Yeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book for anyone who teaches reading. I've read parts of it over and over. My students love the connections to ordinary objects.

[Amy Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually found more of the lessons in Comprehension Connections to be more useable, but I recall like the functional text lesson using seed packets in this book!

[Krystle Marcis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Tanny's suggestions are practical and easy to understand!! Love her and this book!!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal ideas! I love how this one made me think outside the box.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the connection to music and art.