Writing instruction can sometimes seem scattershot, as teachers try to cover a galaxy of craft techniques, ideas, intentions, and genres. The possibilities are endless—and that's the problem. In Text Structures from Picture Books, elementary and middle grade teachers tap into a well-ordered universe of inspiring and illustrative stories to help students frame their thinking and focus choices. Using the bite-size format of picture books as a starting point, the authors share 50 low-prep, quick-access lessons to help you teach students seven concrete ways to respond to text in any genre. Through these lessons, students will be able to: - Generate their own writing, using a text structure harvested from the work of professional authors - Retell a story, using the text structure from the story - Generate reading responses, using structures that support clarity - Analyze a story to construct thematic statements, capturing the author's message and bigger themes - Write about a theme or big idea demonstrating empathic and evidence-based interpretation - Answer open-ended questions by selecting a technique that reflects the text and their engagement - Experiment with author's craft in their own writing.

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