Showcasing assessment practices that can help teachers plan effective instruction, this book addresses the real-world complexities of teaching literacy in grades K-8. Leading contributors present trustworthy approaches that examine learning processes as well as learning products, that yield information on how the learning environment can be…

Intended to help teachers improve students' word recognition skills, this guide covers word recognition, phonics, and dictionary use instruction. Following a preface, the first chapter discusses the place of word recognition in the school and introduces various word recognition skills clusters. Each of the next three chapters is divided into two…

The history of teaching people to read is explored from the introduction of the Greek alphabet about 3,000 years ago to the present renewed interest in sound symbol relationships. Greek schoolboys were required to learn first the alphabet in order, next commonly used syllables, and then words. English was first written in the Latin alphabet using…

This book lets readers see how children and youth learn words in the oral and written languages--and how teachers can best assist learners in the understanding, reading, and writing of words for successful literacy development. In the book teachers learn the differing rationales for using sound/symbol or phonics approaches in word learning, for…

This book explains the most effective ways to teach children to read. Chapters in part 1 are written in traditional textbook fashion and include seven different activities which apply the material in the book to classroom practice. Chapters deal with: (1) five key ideas about reading; (2) emergent literacy; (3) teaching word identification; (4)…

This book presents a method of teaching letter sounds to children; it suggests ways for the elementary teacher or parent to involve children physically, as well as mentally, in the learning process. For example, to learn the letter "Y," children stand with outstretched arms to form themselves into the letter Y; to learn the "Z" sound, children…

The premise of this book is that parents should help their child learn to read at home in order to individualize reading skill instruction better than may be possible at school alone. A reading readiness checklist is offered as a guide to determining if one's child is linguistically, behaviorally, and perceptually ready to begin to learn to read.…

Exploring all the essential components of a quality upper elementary literacy program, this book is a resource for fostering success that will enable students to enjoy a future filled with literacy journeys. Sections of the book address: special help for struggling readers and writers; a basic structure of the literacy program within a framework…

Based on the idea that instruction should drive technology, and not vice versa, this book shares ideas, options, and opportunities for using technology in the classroom. Vignettes and examples of classroom uses of technology are presented throughout the book to highlight concepts and help teachers support literacy goals. The essays in the book…

Intended as a practical resource, this book presents research-based instructional strategies for use with struggling readers in the upper elementary and middle grades. The book offers ideas for engaging students and developing the key components of successful reading: vocabulary, comprehension, word recognition, and fluency. Each chapter in the…

Balancing major new approaches to reading with valid traditional ideas, this seventh edition of the book prepares teachers to develop their students' abilities to read fluently and to foster their students' enjoyment of reading. Thoroughly revised, it surveys all the commonly used approaches to teaching reading and guides instructors in choosing…

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, this invaluable book provides teachers and coaches with the information and tools they need to get started on the complex process of reading assessment. Grounded in a solid scientific framework, the book presents practical strategies that enable teachers to recognize "good reader" behaviors, assess…

Based on the research on invented and developmental spelling, this book provides a practical way for teachers to study words with students. The framework of the book is keyed to the five stages of spelling or orthographic development so that it complements the use of any existing phonics, spelling, and vocabulary curriculums. The book presents…

Based on current research in reading, this book presents an informal reading inventory designed to assess reading ability at emergent through junior high levels. It includes narrative and expository passages at each level, questions to assess prior knowledge, and word lists. It focuses assessment on specific questions regarding word…

Including revisions and updates in all areas, this book functions as a pre-service and in-service teacher self-instructional manual in word recognition skills. The first part of the book discusses the controversy concerning early phonics instruction versus use of the whole language approach, and then discusses consonants, vowels, reading…