Lenses on Reading: An Introduction to Theories and Models - Softcover

Tracey, Diane H.; Morrow, Lesley Mandel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1593852967 ISBN 13: 9781593852962

Publisher: The Guilford Press, 2006

Synopsis

This accessible text provides an extensive survey of the major theories and models that influence reading instruction and research. Readers learn why theory matters in designing and implementing high-quality instruction; how to critically evaluate the assumptions and beliefs that guide their own work with students; and the benefits of approaching everyday teaching situations from multiple theoretical perspectives. Every chapter features classroom application activities and illuminating teaching vignettes. Of particular utility to graduate students, the book also addresses research applications, including descriptions of exemplary studies informed by each theoretical model.

About this title

About the Author

Diane H. Tracey, EdD, is Associate Professor of Education at Kean University, where she teaches graduate classes to students planning to become reading specialists. She has written widely on topics related to literacy achievement, received numerous grant awards, and is an active presenter at national conferences. She has served on editorial review boards for the Journal of Literacy Research, The Reading Teacher, and the National Conference Yearbook, and is a past chair of the International Reading Association's Technology Committee. In addition to university teaching, Dr. Tracey is a literacy consultant for school districts and educational software companies. Prior to her work at the university level, she was an early childhood educator and a research assistant on a large, federally funded grant project studying children's reading disabilities.

Lesley Mandel Morrow, PhD, holds the rank of Professor II at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, where she is Chair of the Department of Learning and Teaching. She began her career as a classroom teacher, then became a reading specialist, and later received her PhD from Fordham University. Her research deals with early literacy development and the organization and management of language arts programs, and is carried out with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Morrow has more than 250 publications. She has received numerous grants for her research from the federal government and has served as a principal research investigator for several research centers. She received Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service Awards from Rutgers University and was the recipient of the International Reading Association's Outstanding Teacher Educator of Reading Award and Fordham University's Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement. Dr. Morrow was an elected member of the board of directors of the International Reading Association, and served as President of the organization from 2003 to 2004.

Review

"This text situates literacy learning and teaching within both broader educational theories and more specific psychological, linguistic, cultural, and neurobiological models that provide explanations for skilled and unskilled reading. Key facets of the text include its emphasis on understanding the implications of theory for instructional practice and research, and its intentional use of multiple perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of readers and reading."--Sara Ann Beach, PhD, University of Oklahoma

"Lenses on Reading provides a historical perspective on the psychological and sociological bases of literacy. Offering an overview of classical to contemporary theories of learning, the authors illustrate through examples and teacher reflections the implications of each model for the teaching of reading. The final chapter analyzes what each theory would have to offer to the understanding of a child with a reading difficulty. This book would be very helpful for beginning graduate students without extensive knowledge of the psychology of learning."--Lauren Leslie, PhD, Marquette University

"As a teacher educator, I’m excited to make room on my bookshelf for Lenses on Reading. This book does a great job of bridging theory and practice. It brings the history of reading research to life for new teachers by contextualizing the major theories in today's classrooms. Even experienced researchers will undoubtedly experience those 'I didn’t know that!' moments when reading this book. This is an outstanding text for reading specialist programs and other graduate-level reading programs."--Nancy Frey, PhD, San Diego State University

"What a terrific text and a wonderful resource for the field! This unique text offers a thorough review of educational and psychological perspectives on reading, provides a chronological review of these perspectives in an easily accessible format, and describes applications of each perspective for practitioners and researchers. The teachers’ anecdotes, classroom applications, and research applications included in each chapter illustrate the ways that theories can be implemented in practice and exemplify the kinds of evidence-based instructional practices favored in today’s world of reading education. To my knowledge, this is the first text to provide such a comprehensive treatment of reading theories in a format that is ideal for use as a textbook or as a resource for researchers."--Kelly B. Cartwright, PhD, Department of Psychology, Christopher Newport University

"I was searching for a text for my Literacy Theory and Practice course that offered both theoretical foundations for literacy and classroom applications, and this one truly provided both. Students appreciated the thoughtful presentation of prominent literacy theories and routinely praised the way the text follows theoretical discussions with actual classroom anecdotes. The classroom scenarios facilitated our ongoing analyses of our own classroom practices and the degree to which they were (or were not) grounded in the theories presented."--Jordan M. Barkley, PhD, Associate Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies, Jacksonville State University

Edition details

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1593852967
• ISBN 13: 9781593852962
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 238