Reviews: Workshops & Books (scroll down)
Reviews of Workshops by Dr. Keith Polette
Specialist Gives Literacy Inservice
LAS CRUCES – Dr. Keith Polette, a specialist in children’s literacy, Professor of English and Director of the English Education
Program at the University of Texas at El Paso, told about 250 LCPS
teachers that one of their most important jobs is “getting kids to fall
in love with words.”
Dr. Polette gave a presentation entitled “Building Literacy
Through Oral Language and Drama” to LCPS DD Preschool, Head
Start Program, kindergarten and first-grade teachers at an LCPS
Professional Development Center literacy inservice at
the Ramada Palms in Las Cruces, NM.
Teachers who have attended Dr. Keith Polette's workshops say:
• Keith Polette's session with our teachers was absolutely amazing! He held the interest of every person in the room, and it was like he knew our students. I would highly recommend his workshop for anyone interested in helping struggling readers. —K. L. Jones, Elementary Teacher, Ohio
• A wonderful presenter! Dr. Polette gave a wealth of
ideas that involved us all as "learners." He injected enthusiasm and
humor that made the session "fly" by. Excellent session. Very
impressive presentation. —J. Smith, Middle School Teacher, Missouri
• Thank you for another wonderful day. Once again, you brought a wealth of knowledge to our teachers. You were a delight, and you shared valuable information, useful strategies, and practical ideas. The impact on our students will be tremendous. —B. Adams, Coordinator, Gifted & Talented, Texas
• So very interesting! He kept my interest! I can't wait to get back to school and try out his ideas. Thank you! —J. Meador, High School English Teacher, Mississippi
Reviews of Books by Dr. Keith Polette (click each underlined title for more information)
“I like the writing exercises that are
incorporated right from the start and the interesting approach to
getting students to develop their understanding in their own words. I
also would recommend the book to other teachers because it has
universal appeal for any teacher trying to improve their own
understanding of grammar and writing or who is looking for another good
resource for their students.” –Lona Garrison, Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA
“I think this book is done very well. Teachers could use this book as a reference tool in the classroom.” –Deedra Murray, Edyth J. Hayes Middle School, KY
"Dr. Polette shared his book today in a workshop. He has great, fun
ideas and strategies that will make kids WANT to read and write more. I
think EVERY teacher needs to have this book in their classroom." —M. Pointer, Special Education Teacher, Texas
“An incredible resource for oral reading!! Wonderfully done.” —Judith B. O'Laughlin, New Jersey City University
The strategies in this book have significantly changed how I approach
reading and writing in the classroom. The imaginative lessons are easy
to implement and appealing to all students. My students actually ASK to
write! I highly recommend it to all teachers! —C. Huse, Middle School Teacher, Texas
What a wonderful story. The author did a fabulous job taking what
most of us assume is just a Spanish-added version of a classic story
and truly making it her own. He did a masterful job blending Spanish
into the story, offering repetition in English and Spanish together. Everyone will enjoy this new ending to a classic story. The
illustrations, combined with well integrated Spanish, make this a
must-read for elementary-aged children. This is a wonderful book, and children (especially young boys)
will see themselves in Paco: curious, drawn to magic, and a hero.
Paco and the Giant Chile Plant incorporates Spanish words into a surprising revision of "Jack and the Beanstalk." Keith Polette is an educator and literacy specialist
who is known for his multicultural approach to teaching. In addition to his many books
on education, he also wrote Isabel and the Hungry Coyote.
Paco and his mother had nothing but a cow, which Paco ended up
selling for magic chile seeds. So begins this delightful spin on the
Jack and the Beanstalk tale that emphasizes the importance of family
and leaves the reader with a smile of satisfaction. I liked this twist
much better than the original.
The interplay of English and Spanish within sentences helps the
readers become acclimated to both languages along with learning new
words. A very interesting method of introducing a different language.
The best stories and biggest hits with
kids seem to be the stories that take them by surprise. This story
definitely will. Keith Polette's lyrical text is interspersed with Spanish
terms, translated casually from English as the story builds, so that
children naturally understand their meaning in context.
With a new and exciting twist to Jack and the Beanstalk story, Keith Polette has put together a fascinating story for children of all ages. Mostly written in English, bilingual embedded text appears throughout the storyline. . . . This book comes highly recommended by this reviewer and her children. —Jennifer LB Leese, author of children's books and young adult novels
Georgia State Reading Association Recommended Reading List
Univision's Despierta America Book of the Month — Isabel and the Hungry
Coyote / Isabel y el coyote hambriento was featured on a segment of
Despierta Leyendo on Univision's, Despierta America, the most watched
Hispanic TV program in the USA!
Legacy Book Award - 2005 Children's Finalist, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
“This is a wonderful bilingual picture book of a Southwest adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood. We rated it five hearts.” —Heartland Reviews
"Isabel and the Hungry Coyote is a wonderful read and a recommended book for
introducing children to the Latin American Spanish language.” —Harold McFarland, editor, Readers Preference Reviews
“Isabel and the Hungry Coyote/Isabel y el coyote hambriento is a cute story,
but the real charm is in the local color. This book is best for bilingual children or English speakers
learning Spanish. Muy bueno!” —Fearless Reviews
“Taking the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and turning it into a Spanish version was cleverly
done by Keith Polette. . . . A funny story that will have kids learning Spanish words by the end of
the book.” —Book Review Café
“I found it [Isabel and the Hungry Coyote
/ Isabel y el coyote hambriento] a delightful read! The clever manner
in which the author integrated the Spanish vocabulary into the story is
perfect. Just the right amount of repetition and executed in such a
“real-life” conversational way that the reader is not even aware of
this repetition… a truly excellent predictable book for the beginning
reader.” —Jerry J. Mallett, Ed.D.,Director, Mazza Museum (International Art from Picture Books©),
Professor of Education, The University of Findlay
“The narrative is very dramatic and
would lend itself well to reading aloud and to creative dramatics. . . . I found this to be a
delightful story and a treat for the eyes. Isabel is a fine example
of a very resourceful young lady. Recommended for grades 1 to 3,
younger for reading aloud.” —J’Ann Peacock Alvarado, Irving Public Library, TX
Paco and the Giant Chile Plant made