Understanding and Supporting Children with Literacy Difficulties


Book Description

Learning to read is arguably the single most important educational challenge a child faces in the first years of schooling, setting a child up for future academic success and opportunities. However, it is estimated that one in six children experience literacy difficulties. This is the go-to book for psychologists, educationalists and other professionals wanting a deeper understanding of current thinking around dyslexia, reading comprehension difficulties, and related SpLDs. Drawing on six fictional case studies to illustrate her points, and using examples of good practice throughout, Valerie Muter unpacks the latest psychological theories and research on literacy disorders. She discusses the interconnections between underlying cognitive problems and learning and educational and behavioural issues, as well as the common co-occurrence of these conditions. This authoritative book also provides accessible guidance on making assessments and tailoring interventions within the home or school. Written by a lead thinker in the field, this is an essential evidence-based guide for those working with children with literacy difficulties and supporting them to achieve their full potential.




Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children


Book Description

While most children learn to read fairly well, there remain many young Americans whose futures are imperiled because they do not read well enough to meet the demands of our competitive, technology-driven society. This book explores the problem within the context of social, historical, cultural, and biological factors. Recommendations address the identification of groups of children at risk, effective instruction for the preschool and early grades, effective approaches to dialects and bilingualism, the importance of these findings for the professional development of teachers, and gaps that remain in our understanding of how children learn to read. Implications for parents, teachers, schools, communities, the media, and government at all levels are discussed. The book examines the epidemiology of reading problems and introduces the concepts used by experts in the field. In a clear and readable narrative, word identification, comprehension, and other processes in normal reading development are discussed. Against the background of normal progress, Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children examines factors that put children at risk of poor reading. It explores in detail how literacy can be fostered from birth through kindergarten and the primary grades, including evaluation of philosophies, systems, and materials commonly used to teach reading.




Teaching Reading Comprehension to Students with Learning Difficulties, 2/E


Book Description

This practitioner resource and course text has given thousands of K-12 teachers evidence-based tools for helping students--particularly those at risk for reading difficulties--understand and acquire new knowledge from text. The authors present a range of scientifically validated instructional techniques and activities, complete with helpful classroom examples and sample lessons. The book describes ways to assess comprehension, build the skills that good readers rely on, and teach students to use multiple comprehension strategies flexibly and effectively. Each chapter features thought-provoking discussion questions. Reproducible lesson plans and graphic organizers can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Chapters on content-area literacy, English language learners, and intensive interventions. *Incorporates current research on each component of reading comprehension. *Discusses ways to align instruction with the Common Core State Standards. *Additional instructional activities throughout.




Structured Literacy Interventions


Book Description

"In this book, structured literacy is conceptualized as an umbrella term encompassing a variety of intervention methods, instructional approaches, and commercial programs. In addition to focusing on SL approaches to intervention, this book is organized around common poor reader profiles that have been identified in research. The chapters in this volume are written by experts who are well known as researchers but who are also highly skilled at writing for practitioners. Chapters were written with a strong foundation of research that is summarized, but with a concentration on translating research into practice, including case studies, sample intervention activities, and lesson plans. Each chapter includes application activities at the end to check for and extend readers' understanding"--




The Teacher's Guide to Understanding and Supporting Children with Literacy Difficulties In The Classroom


Book Description

Why do some children experience literacy difficulties? How can I identify a child with reading and writing challenges? What is the best way to support them in a classroom context? 1 in 8 children will experience some kind of reading difficulty, and while you as a class teacher are not expected to formally assess children or deliver specialist interventions, a good understanding of literacy challenges is crucial for providing optimum educational support. This guide demystifies and disentangles different types of literacy difficulty and explains how they can impact the child's day-to-day classroom functioning and general school life. Chapters include: how to identify children that are struggling; how to work with SpLD teachers and parents so they can be maximally supported; the co-occurrence of literacy difficulties with other learning difficulties such as with maths and attention problems,; alongside practical tips to support each child's learning. Strongly grounded in up-to-date theory and research, this is a perfect companion for classroom teachers of all age levels.




The Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Child with Literacy Difficulties


Book Description

Why do some children experience literacy difficulties? How can I identify if my child finds reading and spelling challenging? What is the best way to support them at home? As a parent, it can be difficult to identify how your child's literacy difficulties may present in a home setting and supporting the child with literacy difficulties doesn't end at the school gates! Child psychologist, Valerie Muter, goes beyond the classroom to offer a wealth of resources for parents to use at home to help engage their child in reading and writing. From giving you a guidance on how to communicate with teachers about your concerns and requesting screenings and assessments to giving you lots of tips and tricks that you can implement at home to support your child's growth, this is the ultimate guide to answer all of the questions you might have about literacy difficulties and more.







Assessment in Perspective


Book Description

Assessment is an integral part of instruction. For the past decade, the focus on assessment--particularly via high-stakes mandated tests--has shifted away from the classroom and left teachers feeling like they are drowning in data. Assessment is, and needs to be again, much more than a number. Assessment in Perspective is about moving beyond the numbers and using assessment to find the stories they tell. This book helps teachers sort through the myriad of available assessments and use each to understand different facets of their readers. It discusses how to use a range of assessment types--from reading conference notes and student work to running records and state tests--together to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of a reader. The authors share a framework for thinking about the purpose, method, and types of different assessments. They also address the questions they ask when choosing or analyzing assessments: - What type of tool do we need: diagnostic, formative, or summative; formal or informal; quantitative or qualitative? - How do we use multiple assessments together to provide an in-depth picture of a reader? - When and how are we giving the assessment? - Do we want to be able to compare our readers to a standard score, or do we need to diagnose a reader's needs? - Which area of reading does this tool assess? - How can we use the information from assessments to inform our instruction? - What information does a particular assessment tell us, and what doesn't it tell us? - What additional information do we need about a reader to understand his or her learning needs? The book emphasizes the importance of triangulating data by using varied sources, both formal and informal, and across multiple intervals. It explains the power of looking at different types of assessments side-by-side with displays to find patterns or inconsistencies. What's more, students are included as valuable sources of data. Letting students in on the process of assessment is key to helping them set goals, monitor their own progress, and celebrate growth. When assessment is viewed in this way, instruction can meet high standards and still be developmentally appropriate.




How to Prevent Reading Difficulties, Grades PreK-3


Book Description

The science of reading meets the art of teaching readers Do you have the knowledge and instructional ability to effectively teach foundational skills and to support students who show signs of reading difficulties? It is a tall order — and one that challenges many new and veteran teachers. How to Prevent Reading Difficulties, Grades PreK-3 builds on decades of evidence and years of experience to help teachers understand how the brain learns to read and how to apply that understanding to Tier 1 instruction. The book includes: step-by-step descriptions of techniques for effectively teaching phonological awareness, spelling, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension specific Tier 1 activities, routines, and frameworks that build and strengthen word recognition and language comprehension links to video demonstrations and online resources clear, practical explanations of the science of reading, including the Eternal Triangle and the Simple View of Reading, to help teachers understand the fundamentals of the reading process, recognize how difficulties arise – and understand how to address them A book study guide is available on the Free Resources tab to provides group guidance on how to effectively teach foundational skills and to support students who show signs of reading difficulties. Author Mark Weakland brings new energy to teaching high-priority foundational skills. By blending the science of reading with the best instructional practices that lead to authentic reading—the ultimate goal of balanced literacy—teachers can prevent many reading difficulties in K-3 learners.




Early Intervention for Reading Difficulties, Second Edition


Book Description

Grounded in a strong evidence base, this indispensable practitioner guide and text has given thousands of teachers tools to support the literacy growth of beginning and struggling readers in grades K?2. The interactive strategies approach (ISA) is organized around core instructional goals related to enhancing word learning and comprehension of text. The book provides guidance for assessment and instruction in whole-class, small-group, and one-to-one settings, using the curricular materials teachers already have. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print 26 reproducible forms in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Of special value, the website also features nearly 200 pages of additional printable forms, handouts, and picture sorts that supplement the book's content. New to This Edition *Incorporates the latest research on literacy development and on the ISA. *Describes connections to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). *Explains how to use the ISA with English learners. *Chapter on fluency. *Expanded coverage of morphological knowledge. *Companion website with downloadable reproducible tools and extensive supplemental materials. See also Comprehensive Reading Intervention in Grades 3?8, by Lynn M. Gelzheiser, Donna M. Scanlon, Laura Hallgren-Flynn, and Peggy Connors, which presents the Interactive Strategies Approach--Extended (ISA-X) for intermediate and middle grade struggling readers.