Teaching Reading: A Balanced Approach for Today's Classrooms

A Balanced Approach to Literacy Instruction provides students with a strong background in using a balanced approach to literacy instruction. Using the National Standards for English Language Arts as a guide, the book calls for classroom teachers to become knowledgeable of and to master several literacy instructional practices, applying each when appropriate. A wide variety of literacy instructional practices are clearly presented. Theories are accompanied by practical, research-based ideas that students can use as they complete their field-based experiences and go out into their own classrooms. In addition to its in-depth coverage of phonics, comprehension, assessment, and vocabulary instructional strategies, A Balanced Approach to Literacy Instruction has wide coverage of technology and writing. Ways to meet the needs of diverse student populations are discussed throughout the book. Students also are provided with thorough lesson plans in reading, writing, and technology for them to consider using or adapting for their field based experiences.

Pamela J. Farris is Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Literacy Education at Northern Illinois University. She is the author of several books including Language Arts: Process, Product, and Assessment, Elementary and Middle School Social Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach, and Teaching, Bearing the Torch. She has published widely in the areas of literacy and teacher education. A former elementary teacher, she is recognized for her ability to put theory into practice.

Carol J. Fuhler is an Associate Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University where she teaches courses in reading and children’s literature. She is the author of two books, Discovering Geography of North America with Books Kids Love and Teaching Multicultural Literature with Books Kids Love. She has published several articles in the area of literacy. Noted for her teaching, she received the Outstanding Teaching Award from Iowa State University. A former middle school teacher, Carol embraces the integration of literacy with all content areas.

Maria P. Walther is a first grade teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School in Aurora, IL. She received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University. Committed to staying in the classroom, she shares her knowledge with other professionals through publications and presentations at conferences throughout the country. She has authored or co-authored several articles on literacy instruction. In 1997, she was named Illinois Reading Educator of the Year. In 1998, she received both the Outstanding Research Award and the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University. She teaches graduate and undergraduate literacy courses. Most importantly, she has the enormous responsibility of giving her first graders the gift of literacy every day.