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Becoming a Teacher of Reading
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Becoming a Teacher of Reading

First Edition


March 2015 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Learning to read is one of the most important life skills teachers can help a child develop. Teaching reading is a vital part of a career in the classroom and engaging with the range of different learning styles children have is a real challenge.  Trainee teachers need to learn how to  address this variety of learning needs, and also meet the wider demands of the curriculum.  

Margaret Perkins helps students meet these challenges to become a confident, reflective teacher of reading by providing:

* An in-depth explanation of phonics teaching alongside other teaching approaches, empowering trainees to choose the right approach for each individual child

*Key research findings so students can apply the latest thinking to their teaching practice

*School-based activities and independent learning tasks to help apply theory to practice, and develop teaching skills through self-reflection

*Classroom scenarios of teacher-child interactions that demonstrate how children learn and respond to different teaching strategies.

 
Knowing about the reading process
 
Being a reader
 
What do we read?
 
How do children develop as readers?
 
Providing a reading environment
 
Teaching systematic synthetic phonics: subject knowledge and progression
 
Teaching decoding: the pedagogy of phonics
 
Teaching comprehension
 
Teaching strategies for reading lessons
 
Knowing and recording children’s development as readers
 
Supporting individuals
 
Becoming an outstanding teacher of reading

The author’s practical wisdom flows through this book. Student teachers’ common questions, “what is reading?” and “what can I do in the classroom?” are addressed with clarity.  It is timely, when teaching reading is often perceived by policy makers as a technical skill, and at its core are passion, knowledge and experience.

Colin Mills
Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Manchester Institute of Education

Thank you Margaret! This book offers a balanced, informed perspective on the complex nature of teaching reading. It sets the skills of de-coding in the wider context and suggests manageable practical strategies supported by research and theory. An accessible text for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, it includes all the key messages that I want future teachers of reading to know. 

Helen Hendry
Senior Lecturer, Bishop Grosseteste University

This book is invaluable in supporting trainee teachers in becoming confident teachers of reading in the primary classroom. It is comprehensive, covering all aspects of reading across the primary age range. Each chapter sets out clearly what it will address, is supported by recent, relevant research and with good opportunities for reflective activities throughout. The focus on both the learner and the teacher allows the reader to consider how to create a stimulating learning environment alongside developing excellence in becoming a teacher of reading. I fully recommend this book.

Jo Bowers
Principal Lecturer in Primary Education (Literacy), Cardiff Metropolitan University

"'Becoming a Teacher of Reading'" will give much valuable background knowledge for anyone doing a CPD or PG course in order to support those who struggle.

Margaret Barr
Dyslexia Action CPD tutor
Dyslexia Review Vol 26 No 2 Autumn 2015

This book provides clear guidance and information on the process of reading. The author balances academic pedagogy with practical advice to ensure that the students receive a sound understanding of what teachers can do and how children learn.

Anne Bradley
School of Education & Professional Dev, University of St Mark & St John
September 12, 2016

Reading skills are an essential component for the development of literacy and currently one of the areas which is being given a lot of attention in Wales. This book is a good general read on how to teach reading.

Mrs Nesta Wynne Elliott
School of Education, Bangor University
August 9, 2016

Reading skills are an essential component for the development of literacy and currently one of the areas which is being given a lot of attention in Wales. This book is a good general read on how to teach reading.

Mrs Nesta Wynne Elliott
School of Education, Bangor University
August 9, 2016

This is an excellent book for all teachers of reading with an excellent overview of various theories and practice of reading. It puts the teaching of phonics firmly in perspective!

Ms Madeleine Matthews
Faculty of Education, Winchester University
March 16, 2016

a good text however not sufficient new information to support wider use.

Mrs Sandra Dawn Swinhoe
Education , Newcastle College
March 2, 2016

Outlines basics regarding the teaching of reading i.e. reading as a process. Discusses and exemplifies ways of encouraging readers for the future and the reflective activities are useful for independent self-study (for trainees) but can be used to promote discussion within lectures.

Mrs Nesta Wynne Elliott
School of Education, Bangor University
April 4, 2016

Sample Materials & Chapters

Perkins Chapter 1


Margaret Perkins

Margaret Perkins worked in initial teacher education for many years with undergraduates, postgraduates and those on employment-based routes in different provider institutions. Before that she taught in primary schools across the age ranges and throughout the United Kingdom as a classteacher and in positions of leadership. For the last ten years, she has been responsible for the primary GTP and School Direct routes into primary teaching, at the University of Reading, working closely with schools located in more than eight different authorities. It is this experience which prompted the writing of this book. In September 2016 she is going... More About Author

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