This book fills the gap for specific learning needs. It is an entire volume devoted to the time-tested, classroom-proven ideas thatreally workwith elementary, middle, and high school studentsincluding ESL and other students who have a limited vocabulary and few literacy skills. Each strategy has been successfully used by master teachers who participate in the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project, and authentic student feedback is included.With written-in adaptability and grade-level indicators so that users can address their own specific goals in the classroom, this book comprehensively covers: teaching vocabulary correctly, collecting words, discovering definitions, working with meanings, expanding writing vocabulary, investigating word origins, and word play.An obviously valuable tool for educators, this book is especially appropriate for new or future teachers, teachers of ESL and continuing education, and other curriculum planners. Can also be used by parents who wish to enhance their child's home study.

Cathy Blanchfield is a secondary teacher in the Fresno Unified School District in Fresno, CA. She has taught middle and high school students from predominantly low socioeconomic neighborhoods. She received her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her M.A. in Education, Reading Emphasis, from California State University, Fresno. Cathy serves the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project as a Teacher Consultant and Associate Director.

Gail Tompkins is a professor at California State University, Fresno where she teaches courses in reading and language arts. She is also Director of the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project at CSU Fresno. She is very interested in the history of English and in etymologies of words.