Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Pandgt;Early Reading Instruction is a comprehensive analysis of the research evidence from early writing systems to computer models of reading. In this book, Diane McGuinness provides an innovative solution to the "reading war"--the century-old debate over the efficacy of phonics (sound-based) versus whole-word (meaning- based) methods. She has developed a prototype--a set of elements that are critical to the success of a reading method.McGuinness shows that all writing systems, without exception, are based on a sound unit in the language. This fact, and other findings by paleographers, provides a platform for the prototype. Other elements of the prototype are based on modern research. For example, observational studies in the classroom show that time spent on three activities strongly predicts reading success: learning phoneme/symbol correspondences, practice at blending and segmenting phonemes in words, and copying/writing words, phrases, and sentences. Most so-called literacy activities have no effect, and some, like sight word memorization, have a strongly negative effect.The National Reading Panel (2000) summarized the research on reading methods after screening out thousands of studies that failed to meet minimum scientific standards. In an in-depth analysis of this evidence, McGuinness shows that the most successful methods (children reading a year or more above age norms) include all the elements in the prototype. Finally, she argues, because phonics-type methods are consistently shown to be superior to whole-word methods in studies dating back to the 1960s, it makes no sense to continue this line of research. The most urgent question for future research is how to get the most effective phonics programs into the classroom.andlt;/Pandgt;
Review
Early Reading Instruction is an up-to-date, accurate, and highly readable summary of major aspects of the science of teaching reading. It thus deserves to be designated reading for anyone active in reading instruction, from future teachers to school board members. James J. Jenkins, Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of South Florida
Review
McGuinness separates the facts from the fancies and fads to tell us how to teach reading. It may not be news to educated readers that phonics is the way to go, but the question is, whose version of phonics? McGuinness makes clear what really works. A book for everyone interested in reading and early education. The MIT Press
Review
andquot;McGuinness separates the facts from the fancies and fads to tell us how to teach reading. It may not be news to educated readers that phonics is the way to go, but the question is, whose version of phonics? McGuinness makes clear what really works. A book for everyone interested in reading and early education.andquot;
--James J. Jenkins, Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of South Florida
Review
"The task of reviewing reading instruction research is daunting and McGuinness's efforts are admirable.... Her comprehensive analysis has left few if any stones unturned."
— Gale A. Mentzer, Education Review
Review
"The task of reviewing reading instruction research is daunting and McGuinness's efforts are admirable.... Her comprehensive analysis has left few if any stones unturned."
— Gale A. Mentzer, Education Review"McGuinness separates the facts from the fancies and fads to tell us how to teach reading. It may not be news to educated readers that phonics is the way to go, but the question is, whose version of phonics? McGuinness makes clear what really works. A book for everyone interested in reading and early education."
—James J. Jenkins, Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of South Florida"Early Reading Instruction is an up-to-date, accurate, and highly readable summary of major aspects of the science of teaching reading. It thus deserves to be designated reading for anyone active in reading instruction, from future teachers to school board members."
—Patrick Groff, Professor of Education, Emeritus, San Diego State University
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"McGuinness separates the facts from the fancies and fads to tell us how to teach reading. It may not be news to educated readers that phonics is the way to go, but the question is, whose version of phonics? McGuinness makes clear what *really* works. A book for everyone interested in reading and early education."--James J. Jenkins, Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of South Floridaandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;' andlt;Iandgt;Early Reading Instructionandlt;/Iandgt; is an up-to-date, accurate, and highly readable summary of major aspects of the science of teaching reading. It thus deserves to be designated reading for anyone active in reading instruction, from future teachers to school board members.' Patrick Groff, Professor of Education, Emeritus, San Diego State Universityandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press The MIT Press
Review
The task of reviewing reading instruction research is daunting and McGuinness's efforts are admirable...Her comprehensive analysis has left few if any stones unturned. James J. Jenkins, Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of South Florida
Synopsis
Early Reading Instruction is a comprehensive analysis of the research evidence from early writing systems to computer models of reading. In this book, Diane McGuinness provides an innovative solution to the "reading war" -- the century-old debate over the efficacy of phonics (sound-based) versus whole-word (meaning- based) methods. She has developed a prototype -- a set of elements that are critical to the success of a reading method.
McGuinness shows that all writing systems, without exception, are based on a sound unit in the language. This fact, and other findings by paleographers, provides a platform for the prototype. Other elements of the prototype are based on modern research. For example, observational studies in the classroom show that time spent on three activities strongly predicts reading success: learning phoneme/symbol correspondences, practice at blending and segmenting phonemes in words, and copying/writing words, phrases, and sentences. Most so-called literacy activities have no effect, and some, like sight word memorization, have a strongly negative effect.
The National Reading Panel (2000) summarized the research on reading methods after screening out thousands of studies that failed to meet minimum scientific standards. In an in-depth analysis of this evidence, McGuinness shows that the most successful methods (children reading a year or more above age norms) include all the elements in the prototype. Finally, she argues, because phonics-type methods are consistently shown to be superior to whole-word methods in studies dating back to the 1960s, it makes no sense to continue this line of research. The most urgent question for future research is how to get the most effective phonics programs into the classroom.
Synopsis
A solution to the "reading war": a prototype for the most effective reading instruction, based on paleographic findings and current research.
Synopsis
A solution to the "reading war": a prototype for the most effective reading instruction, based on paleographic findings and current research.
About the Author
Diane McGuinness is a reading consultant and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida. She is the author of Why Our Children Can't Read and What We Can Do about It, Early Reading Instruction (MIT Press, 2004), and other books on reading and learning.