This book and DVD set can help teachers advance upper elementarty students' comprehension of informational text by supporting understanding of ideas in the text and building knowledge with those ideas. The chapters present the theory behind quality text-based discussions for building comprehension, and include lessons based on four specially commisioned informational texts. The accompanying DVD includes video episodes to accompany chapters 2-6, demonstrating how to apply the tools effectively by showing two teachers leading students in discussions of informational texts about nature and social science topics. In addition, four exclusive informational texts are available for download from the International Reading Association website www.reading.org, as is a comprehensive guide for teacher education and professional development sessions.--From back cover.

Chapter 1. Comprehension and comprehension instruction -- Chapter 2. Planning and discussing "Harnessing the wind" -- Chapter 3. Planning and discussing "Black death" -- Chapter 4. Planning and discussing "Coral reefs" -- Chapter 5. Planning and discussing "Jade burial suits" -- Chapter 6. Contexts and considerations for text-based discussions -- Appendix A. Transcript analysis tools -- Appendix B. Discussion moves.