How the Brain Learns to Read

"How the Brain Learns to Read makes the important connections between reading and brain research accessible for teachers and parents. It is definitely a book that I will recommend to teachers and my undergraduate and graduate students."
Diane Barone, Professor of Literary Studies
University of Nevada

"How the Brain Learns to Read is a comprehensive, teacher-friendly book. Sousa not only clarifies the complex act of reading, he provides practical ′use-tomorrow′ strategies and guidelines for designing a successful reading program. This book makes a significant contribution to the field. I highly recommend it."
Pat Wolfe
Author, Building the Reading Brain, PreK-3

"Sousa has hit a home run with How the Brain Learns to Read, giving us a specific application of brain research that takes us from generalizing about how the brain learns to how the brain learns to read."
Robin Fogarty, Educational Consultant
Robin Fogarty & Associates, Ltd

What must the brain learn in order to read effectively? What has research revealed about phonics and whole language approaches to reading instruction? Arm yourself with the most current neuroscientific information available and start your students down a lifelong path as successful readers.

How the Brain Learns to Read presents what scientists have uncovered about how children develop spoken language and use spoken language abilities when learning to read. Best-selling author David Sousa explores source material on brain research and provides scores of practical reading strategies for the K-12 classroom. Complete with relevant brain diagrams and informative tables, this exciting new book examines critical concepts including:

• Understanding language acquisition and its relationship to reading
• Incorporating modern research findings in your classroom
• Recognizing and overcoming reading problems, including early intervention programs
• Content area reading with strategies to improve vocabulary and comprehension
• Developing a successful reading program that encourages teachers to be researchers

Reading is essential for success in our society. With this guide to cutting-edge reading research, you′ll find the keys to unlocking reading success in your students!

See David A. Sousa′s How the Brain Learns, The 4-Book Collection

DR. David A. Sousa is an international consultant in educational neuroscience and author of more than twenty books that suggest ways educators and parents can translate current brain research into strategies for improving learning. A member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, he has conducted workshops in hundreds of school districts on brain research, instructional skills, and science education at the preK–12 and university levels. He has made presentations to more than two hundred thousand educators at national conventions of educational organizations and to regional and local school districts across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Dr. Sousa has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, a master of arts in teaching degree in science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He has taught senior high school science and served as a K–12 director of science, supervisor of instruction, and district superintendent in New Jersey schools. He was an adjunct professor of education at Seton Hall University for ten years and a visiting lecturer at Rutgers University.

Prior to his career in New Jersey, Dr. Sousa taught at the American School of Paris (France) and served for five years as a foreign service officer and science advisor at the US diplomatic missions in Geneva (Switzerland) and Vienna (Austria).

Dr. Sousa has edited science books and published dozens of articles in leading journals on professional development, science education, and educational research. His most popular books for educators include How the Brain Learns, now in its sixth edition; How the Special Needs Brain Learns, second edition; How the Gifted Brain Learns; How the Brain Learns to Read, second edition; How the Brain Influences Behavior; How the ELL Brain Learns; Differentiation and the Brain, second edition (with Carol Tomlinson); and How the Brain Learns Mathematics, second edition, which was selected by the Independent Book Publishers Association as one of the best professional development books. The Leadership Brain suggests ways for educators to lead today’s schools more effectively. Dr. Sousa’s books have been published in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Russian, and several other languages. His book Brainwork: The Neuroscience Behind How We Lead Others is written for business and organizational leaders.

Dr. Sousa is past president of the National Staff Development Council (now called Learning Forward). He has received numerous awards from professional associations, school districts, and educational foundations for his commitment to research, staff development, and science education. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary doctorate from Bridgewater State University and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gratz College in Philadelphia.

Dr. Sousa has been interviewed on the NBC Today show, by other television programs, and by National Public Radio about his work with schools using brain research. He makes his home in south Florida.