One of the most popular literary genres, memoir can provide literary and literacy access to reluctant adolescent readers and writers, and help bridge the achievement gap by motivating students to read more critically and write more meaningfully about what matters most to them. The introspective nature of memoir helps students learn about themselves and connect with their environment or community, while also meeting a variety of Common Core standards.
In this way, memoirs and creative nonfiction can provide a bridge between
- fiction and nonfiction reading,
- narrative and informative writing,
- reading and writing, and
- can afford a “way in” to literacy for all adolescents.
Special features of the book:
- examples of multiple mentor texts in each chapter
- teacher examples with think-aloud exercises
- a variety of student samples from diverse learners
- activities to engage all learners
- an appendix of teacher resources
- a reference list of over 150 full-length memoirs for grades 5-12 for whole-class, book club, or independent reading
- a list of writing resources for students and teachers
- 12 full-size reproducible materials for teacher and student use
- a variety of reading, writing, speaking, and listening strategies and activities
- across-disciplines applications and adaptations for diverse learners
- daily writing focus lessons in gradual-release-responsibility format
- Common Core State Standard connections at the end of each chapter
Industry Reviews
As teachers. . . .we must build a scaffold on which children can build a memoir from their memories. For teachers looking for such a scaffold, and who wish to make memoir a central part of their writing instruction, I highly recommend Lesley Roessing's book, Bridging the Gap: Reading Critically and Writing Meaningfully to Get to the Core. . . .The instructional design suggested in the book, reflects Roessing's thorough understanding of best practice and the book provides clear direction and suggested resources for each step in the design. I think classroom teachers would find the design helpful, easy to follow. . . .Teachers could use the book as a guide for a complete unit on memoir, or select key lessons from the book to enhance their own writing units. Busy classroom teachers need practical suggestions for writing instruction that are rooted in sound instructional practice and which promise to be engaging and successful with diverse students. With Bridging the Gap, Lesley Roessing has more than filled this need.
