Teaching English language arts at grades K-5 is both a science and an art. Educators must teach literacy skills and content with best practices, while also keeping focus on each students individual needs. They are challenged to monitor students working independently while also conducting small group instruction. And they must focus on providing differentiated support with a rather complicated text. With increased attention to rigor, requirements, and personalized instruction, it can be a challenge to make sure all students are receiving instruction that is just right. Comprehensive Literacy Basics: An Anthology by Capstone Professional contains useful tips to support educators. Chapters focus on each part of the literacy and language arts block, including whole group, small group, writing, and differentiation. A collection of expert authors specializing in literacy and language arts instruction contributed chapters to the book. The quick tips and suggestions within will reinforce current practices while providing an invaluable go-to reference.
Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a professor of literacy education at Kent State University and director of its award winning reading clinic. He has written more than 200 articles and has authored, coauthored, or edited more than 50 books or curriculum programs on reading education. He is the author of the best-selling books on reading fluency,
The Fluent Reader and
The Fluent Reader in Action. His scholarly interests include reading fluency and word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle. His research on reading has been cited by the National Reading Panel and has been published in journals, such as Reading Research Quarterly, The Reading Teacher, Reading Psychology, and the Journal of Educational Research. Dr. Rasinski has served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association and was co-editor of The Reading Teacher. He has also served as coeditor of the Journal of Literacy Research. Dr. Rasinski is a past-president of the College Reading Association, and he has won the A. B. Herr and Laureate Awards from the College Reading Association for his scholarly contributions to literacy education. In 2010, he was elected to the International Reading Hall of Fame. Prior to coming to Kent State, Dr. Rasinski taught literacy education at the University of Georgia. He also taught for several years as an elementary and middle school classroom and Title I teacher in Nebraska.
Dr. Michael P. Ford is a former first grade and Title I Reading teacher. He is professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he worked with pre-service and in-service teachers for 29 years as a professor and department chair in the Department of Literacy and Language. Dr. Ford has consulted with teachers throughout the world. He is the author or editor of books focused on elementary literacy classroom programs and practices. Dr. Ford has been looking at guided reading practices since his first book Reaching Readers was published in 2002 and has more recently authored Guided Reading: What's New, and What's Next? He is the co-author of Accessible Assessment, Do-able Differentiation, Where Have All the Bluebirds Gone, Books and Beyond, and Classroom Catalysts. He is the co-editor of the Engaging Minds in the Classrooms series and co-author of the anchor text Engaging Minds in the Classroom: The Surprising Power of Joy.
Dr. Nancy Boyles was a classroom teacher for many years and is now Professor Emerita at Southern Connecticut State University where she was Professor of Reading and Graduate Reading Program Coordinator. Previously, she spent 25 years as a classroom teacher at various elementary grade levels. She was named Teacher of the Year in her district and was a semi-finalist for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. She received her doctorate in reading and language from Boston University and has received numerous awards over the years for her contribution to the field of literacy. She currently consults with districts and other organizations and agencies, providing workshops, modeling best practices in classrooms, and assisting with curriculum development. Workshop topics include Close Reading for the Common Core; Comprehension Strategies, Small Group Instruction, Explicit Comprehension Instruction, Rigorous Assessment, and Author s Craft. Nancy is the author of several books, including Teaching Written Response to Text, Constructing Meaning through Kid-Friendly Comprehension Strategy Instruction, Hands-On Literacy Coaching, That's a GREAT Answer!, Rethinking Small Group Instruction in the Intermediate Grades, Launching RTI Comprehension Instruction with Shared Reading, Closer Reading in Grades 3-6, and Lessons and Units for Close Reading.
