Customer Reviews

Early Reading Instruction: What Science Really Tells Us about How to Teach Reading (Bradford Books)

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In this book McGuinness reviews reading research under the headings set out by the National Reading Panel. She makes a compelling argument for the kind of reading instruction known as synthetic, or linguistic phonics. The range of knowledge displayed is formidable.

This book is a thoughtful presentation on why reading in English is difficult, and on page one Diane looks at other language from around the world in which children acquire more easily and earlier than English. A relationship to the Alphabetic code is made - and then discussion on how to better help both early and later readers learn skills to deal with the English Language.
As in the compliment to this book (see: Language Development and Learning to Read: The Scientific Study of How Language Development Affects Reading Skill (Bradford Books)) dyslexia is also mentioned in perhaps a new light - that it is not biologically based: "For a biological theory to be accurate, dyslexia would have to occur at the same rate in all populations" but it does not (p 3).

It looks at writing systems and the history of and then gets into the nitty-gritty of how to teach reading. It breaks down pedagogy on many levels and is not just academic literature developing theory - but using theory that exists it provides ways to apply sound pedagogy.

If you are interested in teaching reading - obviously you are if you are reading this review - I would recommend this book without hesitation.

Diane McGuinness is a terrific psychologist and writer. Her books are fantastic. This is another book of hers that should be required reading for anyone who want to understand the process of learning to read. Though written for a technical audience, she writes so well and clearly that any lay person would find it understandable and enjoyable to read. Make sure to also read her other book, Langauge Development and Learning to Read.

I'm a 1st grade teacher who is very interested in learning more about the science behind teaching reading and this appealed to me. I've read a few chapters so far.... She outright rejects whole language from multiple angles- there are some great quotes in here! She is very blunt but it comes from studing and doing her own research. It is a great read, although technical (there is a lot about statistics).