Reading Essentials:  the Specifics You Need to Teach Reading Well by Regie Routman, Heinemann Press, Portsmouth, NH, 2003

One Response to “Reading Essentials: the Specifics You Need to Teach Reading Well”

1. admin says:

   April 21, 2010 at 2:03 pm

   This published educator and author of several books, Regie Routman invites you into her classroom as a silent observer and data collector as you turn each page and read about her ideas about building a community of acceptance and trust in the classroom. She suggests that you tell and share stories about your own personal experiences in your life with your students, to ask questions in “conversations” with your students in think aloud mode as you write. Teacher modelling is the springboard for student learning.

   She reaffirms that getting to know your students and having high expectations of them and believing that they can all learn is the basis of best practice. The next belief is to lead your students to share responsibilities and help with the planning of how the classroom will look. She suggests building a library together by brainstorming and making a list of what should be in it. Capitalize on it and have it easily accessible for all members and share read alouds and book talks with materials from it. Building on students’ strengths and making positive comments back can help them gain an early confidence that will help them become better readers and writers.

   Her book’s expert advice, specific demonstrations, photos, references and easy to read style will inspire you to reflect, teach and manage your instructional time more effectively – goals we all have as educators. I rate it highly as a good professional read.

   Reviewed by Angela Tascona

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