From Phonics to Fluency : Effective Teaching of Decoding and Reading Fluency in the Elementary School

From Phonics to Fluency does not stop with word study but goes beyond words and explores effective fluency instruction. The authors offer aspiring or veteran teachers workable approaches to authentic word study that students will find engaging and enjoyable. The approaches shared are based on solid literacy theory, current reading research, actual classroom application and incorporate the National Reading Panel Report (2000) and the requirements of No Child Left Behind. In addition, the proven and effective instructional strategies and practices from real teachers provide a window into effective teaching for developing reading fluency. Teachers will walk away with a solid understanding and a wealth of strategies to promote fluency in their classrooms and their students will learn to read more efficiently, expressively, and meaningfully and at the same time develop a greater comprehension of all words.

Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a Professor of Education in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy education. His major interests include working with children who find reading difficult, phonics and reading fluency instruction, and teacher development in literacy education. He has published over 100 articles and 10 books on various aspects of reading education. Dr. Rasinski is past editor of The Reading Teacher and is currently an editor for the Journal of Literacy Research. He has served as president of the College Reading Association and he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association. He earned bachelor degrees in economics and education at the University of Akron and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His master's degree in special education also comes from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Rasinski was awarded the Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

 

Nancy Padak is a Distinguished Professor of Education at Kent State University where she directs the Reading and Writing Center and teaches graduate courses in literacy education and recently received the honor of Kent State University Distinguished Professor. She was a part of the team that wrote the initial grant to fund the state literacy resource center at Kent State University-Ohio Literacy Resource Center (OLRC) and has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher and administrator in a large urban school district. She frequently works with teachers, has written or edited a dozen books and more than 100 scholarly articles. Nancy is a past College Reading Association President and a former Editor of The Reading Teacher.  She currently edits the Journal of Literacy Research. Nancy . Nancy has three grown children, Katie, Mike and Matt. Her husband, Gary is Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Kent State. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.