Beyond the Flannel Board - by M Susan McWilliams (Paperback)

About the Book

Improve young children's language, social-emotional, and number sense development with effective, developmentally appropriate teaching strategies in story retelling

Book Synopsis

Winner of Learning magazine 2019 Teachers' Choice Award for Preschool.

Improve young children's language, social-emotional, and number sense development with effective developmentally appropriate teaching strategies in story retelling. This book demystifies the story retelling experience for teachers of young children by identifying effective, intentional teaching and learning practices and providing a variety of examples for integrating story retelling activities across the curriculum for building skills in social-emotional development, numbers, STEM, and more.

M. Susan McWilliams holds a PhD in educational leadership and innovation and an MA in curriculum and instruction in early childhood education. She is an associate professor of early childhood teacher education at the University of Nebraska.

Review Quotes

This book demystifies story retelling by identifying effective, intentional teaching and learning practices. You get examples of activities that integrate story retelling across the curriculum to build language, number sense, and social-emotional skills. &mdashLearning magazine
"Marvelously fresh and insightful . . . Cover to cover, it's an enjoyable, highly instructive read that paves the way for teachers to help young students get the most out of the story retelling experience." --Tillywig Toy Brain Child Award
Built on a solid theoretical and research foundation of how children learn, this book is full of practical, easy to apply strategies to make stories come alive for children. The methods described in this book are sure to develop a culture of story lovers within your classroom. Practical considerations for assessment strategies are also included, making this book a comprehensive and thorough resource for new and seasoned teachers alike! --Michelle Rupiper, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln


"Built on a solid theoretical and research foundation of how children learn, this book is full of practical, easy to apply strategies to make stories come alive for children. McWilliams clearly describes what to do before, during, and after sharing a book with children to help them discover the joy of stories. The methods described in this book are sure to develop a culture of story lovers within your classroom. McWilliams takes stories beyond literacy, suggesting ways to support children's growth in all developmental domains. The many detailed plans included in the book provide concrete and useful ways to address concepts such as number sense, social-emotional understanding, and STEM. Practical considerations for assessment strategies are also included, making this book a comprehensive and thorough resource for new and seasoned teachers alike!" --Michelle Rupiper, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

About the Author

Carolyn P. Edwards: Carolyn Edwards is a professor of psychology and child, youth, and family studies at the University of NebraskaLincoln. She has a doctorate in human development from Harvard University and has done postdoctoral work in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
M. Susan McWilliams holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Innovation and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education. She is currently an associate professor of early childhood teacher education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also an active advocate for community awareness for the crucial role literacy development plays in the early years and stays involved in the Omaha Family Literacy Partnerships. Dr. McWilliams presents nationally and is widely published in early childhood publications, including Spotlight on Young Children: Exploring Play and Young Children."