An Essential History of Current Reading Practices describes the key research and trends that have informed, shaped, and given direction to reading education over the last half-century. This volume - penned by some of the best-known experts in the field - can familiarize any educator, from novice to expert, with the complex nature of teaching reading. It also can provide readers a starting point for examining particular topics in depth. The contributors review landmark research from the middle of the 20th century through today, highlighting political and social pressures that have influenced research, policy, and classroom practice. Eleven chapters explore the historical underpinnings of the reading process, phonics, family literacy, guided reading, comprehension, fluency, content area reading, children's literature, remedial and clinical reading, vocabulary and spelling, and teacher education and professional development. To provide readers with a jump-off point for further study, each chapter presents questions for future research as well as Essential Readings resource lists. The author invites you into a deep understanding of each topic. You will gain perspective, ground your own work, and come to appreciate the rich, varied interpretations of these areas of reading.
About the Author: Dr. Mary Jo Fresch is a Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University at Marion. She holds a BS in elementary education, an MS in Reading Supervision/Specialist, and a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture. Her teaching experiences include 3rd grade, adult literacy, and pre-service teachers' literacy and children's literature methods courses. She previously taught at the University of Akron, University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and The Royal Melbourne Institute and Deakin University (both in Melbourne, Australia). She presents nationally and internationally. Her articles appear in Language Arts, Journal of Literacy Research, The Reading Teacher, Reading and Writing Quarterly and Reading Psychology. She co-authored several books for teachers (Scholastic, NCTE, and upcoming with Shell Education) and a classroom series, Spelling for Writers (Great Source).