Action Reading helps beginners learn to read through action, not translation.
This method, designed for the earliest stage of reading, emphasizes attention and active participation to build early literacy. It guides teachers in pairing written commands with actions, helping students move from seeing words to understanding and using them.
Three clear stages structure the approach. In the first stage, pupils associate a whole written command with the action, without translating each word. In the second stage, they recognize individual words within the command. In the third stage, they read sentences for meaning aloud, treating the commands as familiar units and focusing on word learning within a reading text.
The book also offers practical classroom guidance, featuring step-by-step lessons, strategies for managing groups and individuals, and a variety of engaging activities to reinforce word and command recognition. These activities aim to keep beginners energized and involved while building confidence in reading and following written directions.
- Three-step progression from action to word recognition to reading meaning
- Methods to secure attention and promote concerted class action
- Strategies for word drills, repeated practice, and engaging classroom activities
- Guidance for diverse learners, including foreign or backward pupils
Ideal for teachers introducing young students to reading, as well as instructors seeking a structured, hands-on approach to early literacy.
LEONARD W. LEVY is Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Humanities and Chairman of the History Department, Claremont Graduate School.