Words Their Way With English Learners: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction: Word Study for Spelling, Phonics, and Vocabulary Instruction - Brossura

Many texts have suggestions for integrating word study into a language arts day but tend to ignore the focus on teaching students both vocabulary as well as phonetic knowledge. I like that this book explicitly targets second language learners.

This book is certainly timely and needed in the field. It will be an asset to teachers who are familiar with the principles of word study but may not have a strong knowledge base for working with English learners. I look forward to seeing the completed book so I can include it as required reading in my literacy classes!

These chapters are beautifully written. Each begins with teaching vignettes that provide a context for the chapters. The anticipatory structure with questions and clear step-by-step procedures is easy to follow. They are written with a strong "teaching voice" that’s user-friendly. The teaching described in the chapters is based on sound "best practice." Lots of resources are given. Great activities! But they’re well grounded in theory. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these chapters.

Donald R. Bear is director of the E. L. Cord Foundation Center for Learning and Literacy in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. As a former preschool, third, and fourth grade teacher, Donald extends his experience working with children who experience difficulties learning to read and write both in the center and in numerous outreach programs. His recent research includes the study of literacy development in different languages and the influence of first language and literacy knowledge in learning to read in another language. He and his colleagues work with many schools and districts to conduct literacy instruction workshops.

Lori Helman is associate professor in literacy education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota. Her research and writing have focused extensively on the reading and spelling development of students learning English as a new language, including other Words Their Way instructional materials for English learners. She has also edited a text for teachers, Literacy Development with English Learners.

 Marcia Invernizzi is a professor of reading education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Marcia is also the director of the McGuffey Reading Center, where she teaches the clinical practica in reading diagnosis and remedial reading. Formerly an English and reading teacher, she works with Book Buddies, Virginia's Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI), and Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS).

Shane Templeton is Foundation Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he is Program Coordinator for Literacy Studies. A former elementary and secondary teacher, his research focuses on the development of orthographic knowledge. He has written several books on the teaching and learning of reading and language arts and is a member of the Usage Panel of the American Heritage Dictionary. He is author of the "Spelling Logics" column in Voices from the Middle, the middle school journal of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Francine Johnston is a former first grade teacher and reading specialist who learned about word study during her graduate work at the University of Virginia. She is now an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she teaches courses in reading, language arts, and children's literature. Francine frequently works with regional school systems as a consultant and researcher. Her research interests include current spelling practices and materials as well as the relationship between spelling and reading achievement.