In Start with Joy: Designing Literacy Learning for Student
Happiness, author Katie Cunningham links what we know from the
science of happiness with what we know about effective literacy
instruction. When given a choice about what to write, children express
hopes, fears, and reactions to life's experiences. Literacy learning is
full of opportunities for students to learn tools to live a happy life.
Inside, you'll find:
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Seven Pillars: Cunningham discusses the seven pillars that guide
her classrooms and are involved in each literacy lesson--Connection,
Choice, Challenge, Play, Story, Discovery, and Movement.
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Ten Invitations: Designed for teachers to improvise and make their
own, these ten lessons may be presented at any time of year in the
context of any unit and include children's literature suggestions as
well as recommended teacher talk to meet children's specific needs.
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Teaching Tools: Tools and resources that will help students tell
their stories and make literacy learning something all students
celebrate and cherish.
This book honors the adventure that learning is meant to be and aims to
make happiness more tangible in the classroom. By infusing school days
with happiness, teachers can support children as they become stronger
readers, writers, and thinkers, while also helping them learn that
strength comes from challenge, and joy comes from leading a purposeful
life.
