"The Road to Knowledge: Information and Research" guides teachers and students through three rich, dynamic lesson sets that focus on informational texts in the primary grades in ways that enliven inform, and inspire. With these lessons as a guide, students learn how to use the unique text features and structure of informational text to notice patterns and identify key ideas and concepts while building a vocabulary of domain-specific language. They see how to navigate informational texts and cite evidence, taking learning to a new level. With this book as a guide, students see how to: Read and listen carefully to explore nonfiction topics and discover important and interesting facts and details. Begin to notice and understand how to use text features and text structure to support their understanding and navigation of informational text. Become curious researchers who ask and answer their own questions. Compare and contrast sources on the same topic. Learn to take notes in an organized and purposeful manner. Share their discoveries through writing, speaking, and visual presentation.
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.
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.