Reader's Connections

Notebook Connections by Aimee Buckner - 4 stars

I purchased this book hoping it would give me some ideas to use with my undergraduates and the journaling they do in Language Arts Methods. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is a powerful description of the connections between reading and writing. After reading it, I have found myself noticing more when I read about the way the author uses words and phrases and organizes ideas. The book reminded me that to be a good writer, you must read a lot. Also, the author has built a connection between the comprehension strategies and how being aware of these strategies as a writer can help you write with a constant awareness of the needs of the audience. Throughout the book are various strategy activities that are seemlessly blended into the rest of the text so that teachers can easily see how their instruction can guide children to thinking like a reader and a writer.