In our current emphasis on standardized testing and the basics in American education we are in danger of permanently dimming the light of inquiry and curiosity which shines from the eyes of our brightest children. The majority of children identified as gifted in most school settings are those who are academically talented. They are attentive and learn rapidly and easily. They enjoy learning and often tackle difficult subjects. These students conform to school structure and rules. However, a study of biography will reveal many individuals who were not successful as students, yet later used their gifts to the fullest. Albert Einstein, Stephen Spielberg and Roald Dahl to name but a few. This new book from writer and educator, Nancy Polette discusses how to use picture book biographies to help students recognize traits of giftedness that they possess themselves. Stretch young minds to creative and productive thought with some of the best picture book biographies currently available. Polette shows you how to promote critical thinking, and foster inquiry in students through building excitement for the reading experience and increasing students' active participation in learning. Included are over 90 annotated recommendations and open ended discussion questions for picture book biographies plus pages and pages of reproducible activities to promote critical thinking and inquiry.

Traditional instruction in the social studies has been content rather than process oriented, concentrating on the lower level thinking skills. With coverage of the culture and history of the fifty United States, Reading the Fifty States offers librarians and teachers the tools to encourage higher order thinking skills. Students read novels set in each of the states and participate in targeted reader-response activities that are process oriented, develop higher cognitive skills, and spark creativity. Helpful tools include 200 booktalks (4 for each state), lists of other recommended titles for each state, a fact sheet, a listing of the national standards covered, and a plethora of reproducible, reader-response activities directly linked to national standards in language arts and social studies. Grades 3-6