Dear Parent and Teacher:
Welcome to the Grow-Into Books Parallel Collections. We organize materials for parents and teachers and allow them to differentiate instruction without the hassle of issuing and monitoring the use of different books. As a retired teacher, I know that parents and educators are looking for materials that make their workload lighter. Therefore, I do the organizing for you. Parallel collections allow the parent or teacher to uphold Common Core Standards and at the same time “leave no child behind.” Every learner in the class is taught the same standards, which are indicated for you, but is given practice at levels where he or she can experience success before moving to higher levels. Learners grow into harder versions as the year progresses.
I am now introducing the first of a series of books. As these collections grow over the years, you will find a complete multicultural and multidisciplinary curriculum with lesson plans and student activities organized for you. As we convert our manual copies to online learning, additional collections with their leveled interactive activities for learners will appear. Manual copies will be available for those who prefer them. Teacher editions will be available for teachers. These books I researched a year as a doctoral candidate at Loyola University, Chicago.
Parallel collections can be described as follows: Two or more versions of a story are written alongside each other on two facing pages. Each version builds foundation for each subsequent version. Most books include three genres that connect to two disciplines. They were originally designed to teach critical thinking and reading. However, I discovered that they flood students with vocabulary in the process. Offering more than one selection accommodates for differing levels in interest, achievement, learning styles, and perspectives. Learners are not confined to one track but instead self-select according to their needs and interests. They achieve in tiny steps rather than giant confusing leaps by acquiring higher order thinking skills as they compare and contrast the various versions. As perspectives change, behaviors change. These books are read in summer schools, after-school, tutorial or home-school programs, and independently.
The “Spider’s Story” is our opening parallel collection. The first three versions of this story are fictional; the last two versions are scientific. The first version or level is a story designed for students in need of phonics. The second level is a poem written for students who learn by sight. The third level is the poem adapted into a play designed for grade level students who are exposed to a variety of methods. Unique to third and fifth levels are underlined words that are defined in the version to the left. The last two versions teach social science and science.
Our first collection is being offered now. Other versions will appear in the weeks to come.
Thank you for joining us. We know that we will have a long journey together.
Yours,
Judith Armstrong Ed. D.
Chief Academic Officer Grow-Into Books Inc.