The Science of Spelling: The Explicit Specifics That Make Great Readers and Writers (and Spellers!) [Paperback]

J. Richard Gentry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0325007179 | ISBN-13: 978-0325007175 | Publication Date: September 8, 2004

Once again, Richard Gentry revolutionizes how you think about spelling instruction. The Science of Spelling breaks down preconceptions and misconceptions about how kids learn to spell, making startling new connections between orthography and literacy. Think that reading builds strong spellers? Through up-to-the-moment research, Gentry reveals that the opposite is true, that children use early spelling cognition to break the reading code. In fact, you'll discover that spelling is no longer a sidebar of writing and revision instruction, but a crucial strategy for teaching every aspect of literacy to all readers and writers.

Best of all, Gentry's research also leads to new, powerful implications about the teaching of spelling, and he offers techniques and insight that will change your lesson planning, including how-tos for:

• identifying, through spelling, what level of emergent writing a student has attained
• using scaffolding, hand and finger spelling, letter boxes, and other instructional devices appropriately
• managing word lists and word sorts
• differentiating spelling instruction and assessment
• evaluating spelling books and finding alternatives to traditional spelling resources
• teaching phonemic awareness and phonics through spelling.

Plus Gentry includes all the research-based forms, rubrics, and tools you'll need to put his ideas to work right away. Deepen your spelling instruction, enhance your students' ability to connect the words they see to what they understand and what they write, and see for yourself the hidden power behind the science of spelling.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former struggling speller himself, J. Richard Gentry, Ph.D., has authored three books and a video on the topic with Heinemann, including My Kid Can't Spell (1996), Teaching Kids to Spell (1992), Spel...Is a Four-Letter Word (1989), and Richard Gentry on Spelling (1992), as well as numerous articles in academic journals and textbooks for school-age children. A former elementary teacher and university professor, Gentry is a Heinemann Professional Development provider and has lectured and conducted workshops on literacy and spelling throughout the world. Visit http://JRichardGentry.com for additional information about Richard Gentry and his work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (September 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325007179
• ISBN-13: 978-0325007175
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For more detailed information about Richard Gentry, visit his website, www.JRichardGentry.com.

J. Richard Gentry, Ph.D., earned his Elementary Education degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Virginia in 1977. For sixteen years he taught Reading Education at Western Carolina University where he directed the Reading Center. He is well known for his research and writing in literacy education and is currently an independent researcher, author, and educational consultant. A frequent keynoter and featured speaker at conferences for teachers both nationally and internationally, J. Richard Gentry continues to write and speak widely on literacy development and spelling. His depth of knowledge and breakthrough thinking about the importance of teaching spelling for reading and writing development has resulted in a number of books including Spel... Is a Four-Letter Word, The Literacy Map: Guiding Children to Where They Need to Be, and My Kid Can't Spell as well as numerous articles in academic journals and textbooks for school-age children.

J. Richard Gentry's ground breaking book, Breaking the Code: The New Science of Beginning Reading and Writing (Heinemann) was released in February of 2006. Writing with the same clarity and teacher-friendly approach as in his best-selling The Science of Spelling (Heinemann, 2004), Richard Gentry shows you how scientific thinking and student-centered teaching can work together to create powerful literacy instructional practices. His staff development sessions open a window for teachers and parents into the minds of young readers, so that they can open a window for them into a world of literate possibilities.

His books Breakthrough in Beginning Reading and Writing, released by Scholastic in late in 2007 and Step-by-Step Assessment Guide to Code Breaking released in 2009 are already popular for teachers of beginning reading and writing and along with his other books have established Richard as one of the foremost national experts on teaching beginning reading and writing. Richard is the author of Zaner-Bloser's new Spelling Connections: Words into Language, one of the nation's top selling spelling programs for grades K-8.

In his latest book and in many ways considered his best work yet, Raising Confident Readers, How to teach your child to Read and Write, from Baby to Age 7,to be released by Da Capo Press in July, 2010, Dr. Gentry has created a template for parents who are looking for guidance with their child's literacy path. We all know the importance of reading aloud to our children, but beyond that, how do kids really learn to read? Why should you jump-start the process before formal instruction in school begins? How do drawing and early writing fit into the literacy picture, and what can you do to encourage them? How can you recognize and intervene if your child's literacy skills are not developing normally?

In this empowering guide, Dr. J. Richard Gentry describes how to teach reading before your child enters kindergarten and how to monitor progress once your child is in school. He offers parents an easy-to-understand program outlining the five phases of kids' literacy development, with age- and stage-appropriate activities that make reading and writing fun. Raising Confident Readers is essential reading for every parent who wants their child to succeed in school and be a lifelong learner.

A life dedicated to literacy education, Richard Gentry also has enjoyed life to the fullest. Time with family and friends, traveling to far away exotic places, cooking, gardening, working out, and just relaxing while reading a good book are just some of the personal attributes that round out and center his life. He currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical AND Exciting...a great new course for spelling, June 18, 2006

By 

L. Nein "Neiner" (Eastern MidWest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Spelling: The Explicit Specifics That Make Great Readers and Writers (and Spellers!) (Paperback)

I have liked Gentry's previous ideas about spelling, but found his books were not focused on the practical aspects of spelling instruction. This time around, he has put together both a compelling interpretation of research on the spelling-literacy connection, and a guide for spelling instruction in the classroom at the elementary level.

While he could have gone further in his explanations of his spelling curriculum, I found his instructions to be good enough to get me started. This is a superb example of how to bring effective differentiation into your classroom without heaping new piles of work on the teacher's desk.

I enjoyed his critique of various spelling programs and ideologies, but once again, think he could have been more specfic.

However, even without the complete detail I would have liked, this is a thorough arguement for including an active spelling program in your classroom, with a decent picture of how to get started. A great book for any teacher's professional library.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Science of Spelling Book, December 22, 2010

By 

Texas Teacher - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Science of Spelling: The Explicit Specifics That Make Great Readers and Writers (and Spellers!) (Paperback)

This book had a lot of good information but at times I felt it was difficult to read and repetitive. I would still give it 4 stars and would recommend reading it if you are interested in improving spelling instruction. It has many suggestions and activities.