Middle Grades English 5–9

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Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography that follows includes basic references that you may find useful in preparing for the exam. Each resource is linked to the competencies and skills found in Section 3 of this guide.

This bibliography is representative of the most important and most comprehensive texts pertaining to the competencies and skills. The Florida Department of Education does not endorse these references as the only appropriate sources for review; many comparable texts currently used in teacher preparation programs also cover the competencies and skills that are tested on the exam.

  1. Atwell, N. (1998). In the middle: New understandings about writing, reading, and learning (2nd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Introduces the benefits of responsive teaching over traditional teacher centered instruction. Useful for review of competency 5.

  2. Beers, K. (2003). When kids can’t read: What teachers can do: A guide for teachers 6 to 12. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Instructs teachers on how to help struggling readers with comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, word recognition, and motivation. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  3. Benjamin, A. (2008). Formative assessment for English language arts: A guide for middle and high school teachers. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Explores the uses and advantages for applying formative assessments in the classroom. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 6.

  4. Blasingame, J., & Bushman, J. (2005). Teaching writing in middle and secondary schools. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Provides research-based strategies as well as classroom-tested activities. Covers the core fundamentals of exemplary practices in writing instruction and demonstrates writing processes and use of rubrics. Useful for review of competencies 5, 6, and 7.

  5. Burke, J. (2008). The English teacher's companion (3rd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Boynton/Cook.

    Offers foundational advice for teaching literature; nurturing reading, writing, and thinking skills; and organizing for success. Includes up-to-date information on teaching media literacy and AP classes. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 5.

  6. Bushman, J.H., & Haas, K.P. (2006). Using young adult literature in the English classroom (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Provides future middle and high school educators with guidance to choose adolescent literature and to develop instructional ideas. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 5.

  7. Chappuis, J. (2009). Seven strategies of assessment for learning. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

    Organizes research-based recommendations about classroom assessment practices around three formative assessment questions and gives a framework to weave assessment for learning practices into daily teaching and assessment activities. Useful for review of competency 6.

  8. Eggers, P. (2007). Steps for writers: Composing essays (vol. 2). New York: Pearson/Longman.

    Discusses the basics of composing solid paragraphs and essays. Covers finding one's own writing process, writing essays based on one's own experience and perceptions, and writing essays involving texts and research. Emphasizes grammar, proofreading, and peer review. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  9. Finders, M.J., & Hynds, S. (2007). Language arts and literacy in the middle grades: Planning, teaching, and assessing learning (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Addresses language arts and literacy in the middle grades by presenting authentic cases and classroom examples while examining research and theory-based approaches to teaching literacy in the middle school classroom. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  10. Fisher, D., Frey, N., & Lapp, D. (2012). Text complexity: Raising rigor in reading. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    Focuses on quantitative and qualitative factors of text complexity as well as ways in which readers can be matched with texts and tasks. Useful for review of competency 2.

  11. Fowler, H.R., & Aaron, J.E. (2011). The Little, Brown handbook (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Longman.

    Provides coverage of the writing process, grammar and usage, research and documentation. Also presents discussions of critical reading, academic writing, reading and writing arguments, writing in the disciplines, and public writing. Useful for review of competencies 3, 4, and 7.

  12. Galda, L., & Graves, M.F. (2007). Reading and responding in the middle grades: Approaches for all classrooms. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

    Focuses on practical, research-based approaches teachers can use to help their students hone their reading abilities, learn from what they read, and become competent in responding to sophisticated narrative and expository texts. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  13. Gall, J.P., Gall, M.D., & Borg, W.R. (2004). Applying educational research: A practical guide (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

    Focuses on teaching students how to locate, read, interpret, and apply the findings of educational research studies. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  14. Glazer, S.M. (1998). Assessment is instruction. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.

    Addresses the merging of literacy assessment and instruction in classrooms. Includes an annotated bibliography of literature for developing readers and writers and a glossary of terms. Contains checklists of behaviors characteristic of learning problems and of skills associated with reading and the language arts. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 6.

  15. Gunning, T.G. (2004). Creating literacy instruction for all students grades 4 to 8. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

    Offers strategies and sample step-by-step lesson plans for constructing lively, effective reading and writing instruction for all students. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  16. Hacker, D. (2006). The Bedford handbook (7th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

    Provides basic explanations of proper grammar, composition, citation and textual analysis. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  17. Hairston, M., Ruszkiewicz, J., & Friend, C. (2004). The Scott Foresman handbook for writers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Includes topics such as writing process, writing for academic and public forums, style, visual design, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Useful for review of competency 4.

  18. Kinsella, K., Feldman, K., & Stump, C. (2005). Prentice Hall literature: Timeless voices, timeless themes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

    Combines some of the world’s best literature with reading and skills instruction. Useful for review of competency 3.

  19. Maxwell, R.J., & Meiser, M.J. (2008). Teaching English in middle and secondary schools (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Provides sample lessons, classroom ideas, and instructional strategies for exploring how theory and research relate to practice. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2 and 5.

  20. Murray, D.M. (2004). The craft of revision (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Heinle.

    Covers phases of the writing process such as rewriting for focus, structure, and genre. Includes edited sample papers. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  21. Radford, M.L., Barnes, S.B. & Barr, L.B. (2005). Web research: Selecting, evaluating, and citing (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

    Provides information on how to judge website credibility, evaluate content, avoid copyright issues, and when and how to cite Internet sources. Useful for review of competency 4.

  22. Raimes, A. (2005) Keys for writers (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Offers complete coverage of grammar, writing, research, and documentation processes. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

  23. Royster, J.J., & Lester, M. (1996). Writer’s choice: Grammar and composition. New York: Glencoe/McGraw Hill.

    Provides practice in the use of clauses, modifiers, and tenses for more effective writing. Useful for review of competency 4.

  24. Tompkins, G.E. (2011). Teaching writing: Balancing process and product (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Examines genres and instructional procedures with a strong new focus on differentiating instruction to ensure success for all writing students. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  25. Unrau, N. (2008). Content area reading and writing: Fostering literacies in middle and high school cultures (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Presents a diagnostic perspective on teaching. Assists teachers in recognizing how each student’s culture, background, and prior knowledge informs their learning and suggests a best practice for each individual learner. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, and 5.

  26. Waterman, S.S. (2009). Differentiating assessment in middle and high school English and social studies. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education.

    Offers numerous examples and strategies to aid in assessing student readiness, interests, learning, and thinking styles. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, 5, and 6.

  27. Wepner, S., Valmont, W., & Thurlow, R., ed. (2000). Linking literacy and technology. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    Designed to help teachers, curriculum consultants, and supervisors meet their students’ needs in the 21st century. Presents examples of classroom technology to help teachers support literacy goals. Useful for review of competencies 2 and 5.

  28. Winterrowd, W.R., & Murray, P.Y. (1985). English: Writing and skills. San Diego: Coronado.

    Includes exercises and examples in order to improve writing and grammar. Useful for review of competencies 4 and 7.

 

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