Teaching Literacy: Engaging the Imagination of New Readers and Writers

"A fascinating piece of writing, presenting ideas that are fresh and exciting."
-Katherine Taddie Kelly, Literacy Coach and Reading Interventionist
Waco Independent School District, TX  

"Focuses on enhancing students′ metalinguistic awareness and not just their intuitive use of words, fostering the development of higher mental functions."
-Elena Bodrova, Senior Researcher
McREL

Bring out the fun in fundamentals of literacy!

For teachers charged with the great responsibility of helping students achieve basic literacy, delivering instruction in stimulating and engaging ways is not an ideal-it′s a necessity. Recognizing this, award-winning author and educator Kieran Egan puts the fun in fundamentals of literacy by helping teachers stir students′ imagination and emotions.

In Teaching Literacy, Egan rejects the notion that familiar ideas and experiences are the best vehicles for effective instruction. Instead, he champions a new approach that focuses on teaching core literacy skills using concepts ranging from fascinating to exotic to magnificent to weird. By framing the elements of literacy in the unforgettable, students more readily internalize and retain material, not only preparing them for tests, but also instilling a lifelong love of reading and writing.

This innovative resource supplies answers to the question, "But how do I do it?" by offering:

• Tried-and-true activities from practicing classroom teachers
• "Teachers, Try It Out" features with instructional challenges (and an appendix of possible responses) for everyday classroom practice
• Step-by-step planning frameworks for designing and delivering engaging literacy instruction

Combining playfulness with practicality and creativity with common sense, Egan′s strategies apply to beginning readers at any age, bringing about authentic, enjoyable learning experiences.

Kieran Egan is Professor of Education at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, as well as founder and director of the Imaginative Education Research Group (www.ierg.net). He has authored and edited over twenty books, many of which have been translated into European and Asian languages. In 1991, he won the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Education for his book, Primary Understanding: Education in Early Childhood.

Born in Clonmel, Ireland, Kieran Egan was raised and educated in England. He graduated from London University with a B.A. in History, and from Cornell University with a Ph.D. in Education. In 1993, he was elected to the Royal Society of Canada. He is a foreign associate member of the National Academy of Education and holds a Canada Research Chair in Education.