Excerpt
A knowledgeable, thinking, and caring teacher of reading is a key variable in whether or not children will be successful in learning to read. The tenth edition of
Principles and Practices of Teaching Reading continues to be based on this assertion. Recent research on successful reading programs has again highlighted the important role of the teacher and has identified instructional variables that promote student learning. Those variables of teacher beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors that contribute to student achievement in reading form the hallmarks of this book.
This edition of Principles and Practices of Teaching Reading continues to reflect the importance of teaching children to read by presenting new topics and expanding other significant literacy topics. The major focus of the text is to present, in a reader-friendly format, the implementation of a comprehensive and balanced viewpoint in teaching children to become literate. One of the long-standing hallmarks of the text continues to be a blending of both concise syntheses of up-to-date research findings and practical strategies, activities, and lesson plans for illustrative purposes. The many practical examples, games, lesson plans, and activities provide concrete ideas for the classroom. In addition, each chapter has field-based assignments and portfolio entries.
Significant changes in this edition include:
- An extensively revised discussion of balanced reading programs stressing the importance and necessity of combining research-based skills and strategies with fine literature;
- Summaries of major findings from the National Reading Research Center, CIERA, and the National Reading Panel;
- A revised chapter on emergent literacy;
- Expanded coverage of interactive strategies to promote reading comprehension;
- A revised chapter on literature-based reading by Donna Norton, author of the classic textbook on children's literature, Through the Eyes of a Child;
- Expanded coverage for meeting the needs of diverse learners;
- Updated flashback features, which provide a valuable historical perspective on teaching reading;
- Updated "Inclusion Strategies" sections that provide modifications of various topics when working with children with special needs in regular classrooms; and
- For professors, a new Instructor's Manual that includes test questions, discussion questions, and blackline transparency masters.
Acknowledgments
Writing a book is certainly a team effort. We thank our many students, public school teachers, and colleagues for their insights into and suggestions for several parts of this revision. Finally, we would like to extend our appreciation to the staff at Merrill/Prentice Hall, especially Linda Montgomery and Linda Bayma, and Amy Gehl of Carlisle Publishers Services for their help and expert guidance throughout the preparation of this book.