I like how each chapter can be read separate from one another, but there are references to other chapters so that the reader knows where to look for additional I like how each chapter can be read separate from one another, but there are references to other chapters so that the reader knows where to look for additional information on that aspect.
The index is effective in helping the reader decide which chapter s peak their interest. The content definitely is unbiased. The book discusses multicultural literacy and students with disabilities in a straightforward manner. There is mention of NCLB, and that act no longer exists. Though there are a ton of great citations, most of them are quite dated. I do feel that it would be easy to add updated information.
The text is incredibly consistent in terms of terminology. However, there are places where acronyms are used and then times where they are not. My favorite aspect of this text is how divisible it is! This makes it extremely useful in my undergraduate courses. All the different headings make this possible. Labeling of tables, charts and figures are slightly confusing.
They are all labeled as figure 1 or table 1. I feel that the number should correspond to the chapter and order i. Some figures are even repeated. Overall, I think this is a great text! My undergraduates have enjoyed it as part of their coursework. This text covers a great deal of relevant current literacy research, without feeling too broad or disconnected.
The topics are covered thoroughly and in such ways that both novices and seasoned readers alike can understand and learn from the The topics are covered thoroughly and in such ways that both novices and seasoned readers alike can understand and learn from the material.
I do not believe there is any way to write an unbiased text, but the author's are transparent about their stances. For example, the author that introduces literacy as a concept draws on UNESCO's definition of literacy as a fundamental right.
This approach is very different from some who might approach it as a discrete set of skills. Knowing this, however, the text is very accurate from that perspective and the authors provide evidence to support the stance they've taken. For the most part this book has longevity, though I can't imagine how it could remain entirely relevant for more than a few years.
When including topics like children's literature or digital literacies, no writer can anticipate major changes, advances, resources, and titles. Still, it does a good job of covering relevant topics. The text is a fairly accessible read. I do think it reads better for researchers and teacher educators than for teacher education students, but with proper scaffolding it can still serve. Though there are multiple writers and each chapter can stand alone, the conceptual framework is maintained and the book is cohesive.
Each chapter can stand alone and they are of a manageable length. Within each chapter, topics are well organized. The chapters are logically sequenced and the topics within each are connected in clear ways. Occasional heading formatting issues don't interfere with the overall structure.
This text does an excellent job of considering issues of culture and social justice, within the parameters of literacy research. The theorists that are cited are the top in our field. When doing a book on reading and writing, it would be easy to ignore the inherent connections between who we are and how we teach and learn, but the others in this volume don't take that easy route.
Well done. The textbook is very comprehensive. The authors provide an in-depth explanation of different theory and concepts. In addition, classroom based and real life examples were provided. I can see teacher candidates and in service teachers apply the I can see teacher candidates and in service teachers apply the information for the text into their classroom practice. The content is up to date with additional resources provided.
Links for other online resources, websites and references are provided and should be easy to update in the future. Each chapter has different author and each of them has their unique writing style.
The text is written is a way that is easy to follow and understand. This book is extremely modular in its organization at the chapter level. In other words, It can be easily reordered by the instructor or students based on the course or students needs. The book is well-organized with easy to follow structure. Individual topics are also well-organized. Chapter 12 addresses culturally responsive literacy strategies specifically, however, I would like to see more culturally relevant instruction and examples throughout the whole text.
Overall, this book is well organized with rich information for literacy instruction. Highly recommended. This textbook addresses a wide range of topics in the field of literacy. Authors did a great job preparing readers to follow the ideas from the introduction to literacy, word-level and text-level literacy all the way to the new literacy and other Authors did a great job preparing readers to follow the ideas from the introduction to literacy, word-level and text-level literacy all the way to the new literacy and other critical topics in the field.
It also includes topics about literacy development of learners with diverse needs, such as English language learners and learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The structure is clear, and text is easy to read.
As the title indicates, bridging the research and instructional practice, the theme of the book, is consistently maintained across chapters. The information presented in this textbook is accurate. Primary resources were used. The discussion seems to be objective. This textbook includes updated resources. Future updates can be easily made to the current framework of the book. The text is easy to read. The first chapter, which serves as an orientation session, provides an overview of the book. Technical terms within each chapter are clearly explained with examples.
The learning objectives and the reflection questions are helpful for readers to have an in-depth understanding of the text. In addition, graphic organizers and tables used in some chapters support the clarity.
Overall, the text is comprehensible to readers in literacy education. The consistency of the text is well maintained with respect to the uses of terminologies and concepts, the structure of each chapter abstract, learning objectives, and questions and activities , as well as the theme of the book across all chapters i.
Because it is an edited book, chapters are structured in the same way with abstracts and learning objectives included. This makes it easier to select certain chapters based on class focus.
The organization within each chapter is clear with subheadings used to address "what", "why", and "how" questions of a certain concept. Readers can see how the concept evolves with connections to instructional practices.
There are no interface problems. The images and charts are properly placed in text and can be easily navigated. The text is strongest when connections are made to the literacy development of learners with diverse needs e. The text offers a variety of view points, with a different topic and author for each chapter.
There is not a glossary for the text, but this does not take away from There is not a glossary for the text, but this does not take away from its usefulness. The text content references current research in the field, and each chapter author has conducted original research in the topic area he or she addressed. The content reflects both seminal and relevant ideas in the field of literacy, making it a most useful text. In addition, the text points to potential for future research in the ever-evolving field of literacy.
Due to the nature of many different authors for different chapters, the writing styles vary within the text. However, this does not distract the reader and actually makes the text more engaging, allowing a reader to experience different voices for different topics. Overall, the text is well-written. The theme, "bridging literacy research and practice" is reflected throughout the text.
There is a common thread evident in each chapter connecting what research and in-the-field practice. This is one of the more evident strengths of the text.
In addition, each chapter of the text provides an opportunity for engaging activities and questions. Compared to many other texts, this text addresses issues relevant to English Language Learners and populations with learning disabilities.
Many backgrounds and perspectives are included in the text. I especially appreciate the variety of authors portrayed in the book. Like many of my favorite hard copy texts, this text feels like a handbooks that addresses pertinent issues in the field and provides a wider lens through which to think about these issues. The text provides multiple points of view, with a different topic and author for each chapter. This approach offers a variety of perspectives on major issues in literacy.
All sections of the text are well-organized, including table of contents, All sections of the text are well-organized, including table of contents, index, essential questions, objectives, and questions for discussion.
The content appears to be accurate and unbiased, although these authors are promoting specific theories and perspectives.
As a result, there is some inherent biases, though nothing unusual. The content is current and relevant to issues surrounding literacy theory and practice. The text seems that it will not become dated any time soon. The text provides many different authors and writing styles, which is a strength.
Most chapters are well-written, current, and relevant to issues of literacy. The text provides a consistent theme reflected in the title: bridging literacy research and practice. The modularity is a strength of the text. Over the course of a semester, each issue could be addressed using these chapters as anchor texts to facilitate assignments and discussion.
The structure is organized and clear, making transitions from one issue to another in a logical progression. The text is culturally relevant, with relevant inclusion of many different backgrounds and points of view. I like the organization of the text - many perspectives and issues to keep students "current in the conversations" surrounding literacy research and practice.
There are many single author textbooks on literacy, but this text offers a more varied consideration of current research and practice. The fourteen chapters in Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice are both comprehensive and concise, making this edited collection particularly appealing to educators and students alike.
The chapters contained The chapters contained in this collection represent current research and practices in the field of literacy in a format accessible to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Able to be used in tandem with other chapters or as stand-alone pieces, the chapters of this text could be utilized in numerous undergraduate and graduate literacy courses. Each chapter offers guiding questions and activities to aid comprehension and application of the concepts.
References are included at the end of each chapter, however the text does not provide an index or glossary. The text content is well-researched and accurate. Each chapter author has conducted original research in the topic area he or she addressed, providing in-depth reviews of the current knowledge base.
While the field of literacy continues to broaden and evolve, the text's content is up-to-date and offers the reader an overview of the current knowledge base as well as insight into areas of future research. As this text is an edited volume the writing styles vary across the volume, though the presentation and format of the information remains constant. The academic terminology is adequately explained within the chapters and the writing is accessible.
Consistency is evident through the inclusion of goals, the current state of research, and concluding questions within and across chapters. Comprehension of information within individual chapters is not dependent on knowledge from the preceding chapter. Variance of the sequence of the material is possible and chapters could be omitted or regrouped without interference to understanding. The text begins with a brief introduction of the field of literacy followed by research approaches for literacy instruction within and across literacy components.
Ending with international considerations and teacher identities is logical and timely. An emphasis on cultural relevance and responsiveness is apparent throughout the text. Topics include English Language Learners, culturally responsive strategies for disciplinary literacy, and world language and literacy learning. This highly accessible text offers a broad scope and stand-alone chapters, making it a valuable resource for numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy education.
As the author states, "this book spans many topics related to literacy teaching and learning". Chapters are included on several topics related to literacy research and instructional practices that are fundamental to understanding the key aspects Chapters are included on several topics related to literacy research and instructional practices that are fundamental to understanding the key aspects of children's development of literacies, literacy research, and effective instructional practices for a wide range of learners.
However, these chapters would be pertinent in specific coursework, areas of study or preparation, etc. The content is based on seminal research in the area of literacies. Each of the topics that are presented in the book accurately include the main ideas and supporting information about the topic. Given the ever-evolving nature of platforms, and related skills and strategies, for literacies, and the subsequent influence on literacy practices and related instruction, this is a difficult question to answer.
However, it seems that it will be quite possible for this text to be easily updated over time in order to remain current. This text utilizes straightforward language and often defines terms that might be unfamiliar to the reader.
Moreover, the author has included links that provide more information, examples, videos, etc. For example, in chapter ten the author describes the instructional strategy known as a gallery walk. There is a link included within the text that takes the reader to a website that includes a description of a gallery walk and provides a short video illustrating the practice.
This is an edited book. Therefore, several authors have contributed to the content and ideas in the book. However, the text in each chapter clearly articulates the underlying theoretical perspectives about the content in each chapter, includes a research base for the topic, and provides examples of applications in real classroom contexts.
This common text structure is consistent and, therefore, aids the reader. The structure of this text is a strength. Specifically, the chapters are organized by significant topics in literacy instruction and can be read together or separately. Given the broad scope of the topics that are included in the text e. The organization of the book is strength of the text. The structure of the text includes an abstract, objectives, and a summary with questions and activities.
Additionally, the chapters are organized into short sections with bold headings that often describe instructional practice and the research that supports those practices. Several of the references for each chapter include links to the actual article or other source. This might be a particularly useful feature for students that are studying a specific topic.
In general, this text promotes culturally relevant instructional practices by including a diverse set of classroom examples in each chapter. Further, there are chapters that are specifically focused on inclusive practices for all children. One of the strengths of this text is the inclusion of chapters relating to current best practices in literacy instruction. Specifically, the chapters covering the link between assessment and literacy instruction and interventions, relating to Specifically, the chapters covering the link between assessment and literacy instruction and interventions, relating to reading instruction across content areas, and literacy and literacy instruction in our expanding world.
The Table of Contents is clear and describes the span of topics in this text, but there is not a glossary or index. Each chapter reflects current research and best practices in literacy. Many chapters also include commentary on current issues in literacy, or nicely encapsulate historical perspectives. This text succinctly explains relevant and recent research, issues, and best practices. I appreciate the integration of assessment and instructional considerations.
Updates could be made efficiently since the themes of each chapter are clear. The short, well-written sections of this text make it easier to navigate then some on-line, text-heavy materials. I never got lost scrolling through the pages.
Many chapters integrate illustrations and tables that support and illustrate the material. The common format for each chapter aids the reader in navigating the chapters. Each chapter contains learning goals and a set of questions and activities to enrich the reader's understandings.
While many chapters defined specific academic terms based on the topic, the writing was generally free of jargon and extremely readable.
The authors were succinct but addresses the topics completely and clearly. The chapters can be used in or out of context easily, and they stand along in their description of the content.
This text could be used for a variety of courses, drawing from chapters or even parts of chapters without further information. While the chapters may be read as stand-alones, the book flows nicely between topics. The early chapters 1 - 6 focus on literacy instruction for emergent and early readers, the middle section addresses literacy instruction with special populations and tools, and the remaining chapters tell the story of literacy at the secondary levels and in the future. The text was easy to navigate.
The chapters were short with sufficient markers headings, charts, etc. The illustrations were clear and large enough to be easily read. The text describes literacy issues and best practices that are not easily located in a published trade textbook. The chapters on literacy for English learners, and specifically for students with learning disabilities, are often difficult to locate in a comprehensive text.
This text has an exceptionally comprehensive and strong basis in current research. It incorporates current and cumulative understandings rather than a single researcher's viewpoint. It is aligned with edTPA language for professors and students working under that system. Chapter 1 could have used a little editing to avoid emphasis on a personal experiential reflections, but overall the text provides a valuable, updated resource for multiple topics of literacy instruction.
This book is very comprehensive and would effectively serve as an excellent text for teacher practitioners. The relevance of the research is up to date and should be relatively easy to update as new research unfolds in the future.
The book lends itself to easy modularity and can subdivided based on the course content and focus. Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice introduces instructional strategies linked to the most current research-supported practices in the field of literacy.
The book includes chapters related to scientifically-based literacy research, early literacy development, literacy assessment, digital age influences on children's literature, literacy development in underserved student groups, secondary literacy instructional strategies, literacy and modern language, and critical discourse analysis.
Chapters are written by authors with expertise in both college teaching and the delivery of research-supported literacy practices in schools. The book features detailed explanations of a wide variety of literacy strategies that can be implemented by both beginning and expert practitioners.
Readers will gain knowledge about topics frequently covered in college literacy courses, along with guided practice for applying this knowledge in their future or current classrooms. The book's success-oriented framework helps guide educators toward improving their own practices and is designed to foster the literacy development of students of all ages.
Kristen A. Prior to becoming Associate Dean, she was a faculty member in the Counseling and Psychological Services Department at SUNY Oswego, where she taught graduate courses in academic intervention, emotional intervention, and research methods. She also taught practicum and internship courses in school psychology, as well as a course in assessment to preservice teachers.
Before beginning her doctoral work at Syracuse University, she practiced as a school psychologist in New York State schools for 12 years. During that time, she developed a persistent interest in literacy development, assessment, and instruction. Content Accuracy rating: 5 The content of the text is accurate and cites many of the foundational studies you would expect in a literacy research text.
Clarity rating: 5 The text, although written by multiple authors with expertise in each area, is very clear and concise. Consistency rating: 5 The text is internally consistent in the use of terminology. Modularity rating: 5 This text is easy to use for just one or two chapters with students as a stand alone resource.
Interface rating: 5 This text was easy to navigate in a digital format. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I found no grammatical errors. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 The text includes information on serving students of different languages, cultures, and backgrounds. Comments There are definitely sections of this book that I will use with undergraduate students.
Consistency rating: 4 Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice has consistent terminology with hyperlinks to other chapters if an idea from another chapter applies to the information being presented. Modularity rating: 5 Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice has subheadings throughout chapters to make it easier to read and understand.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5 Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice is written in an easy-to-read style free from grammatical errors. Cultural Relevance rating: 4 Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice has a weakness of limiting information about multilingualism to a few chapters, however, this shortcoming is common in most literacy textbooks written outside the English as an Additional Language and multilingualism scholarship.
Comments Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice is acceptable to the "identify more minority children as dyslexic" movement. Content Accuracy rating: 4 The content of this text is consistent with other texts in the same field. Clarity rating: 4 This text is written in a "research journal" style which makes it challenging for undergraduate students, particularly at the beginning of their literacy coursework. Consistency rating: 5 The text has multiple authors, but the voice was consistent.
Modularity rating: 5 One of the best attributes of this text is that it is available in multiple e-reader formats as well as a pdf download. Interface rating: 5 I have had no issues with the text interface regardless of format.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5 The text is well-written with no found grammatical errors. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 The text specifically included a chapter on culturally responsive teaching, English Language Learners, as well as students with different intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Comments I would be interested in any supplementary materials or updates that may be made to this text for future use. Content Accuracy rating: 5 The book presents content in an accurate and extremely unbiased manner, with authors going out of their way to present both sides of controversial issues in the field.
Consistency rating: 5 The textbook is internally consistent, as a whole and also within chapters. Interface rating: 5 I read the book in its entirety and found it to be almost totally free of issues which might confuse the reader Grammatical Errors rating: 4 There were perhaps one or two minor grammatical issues, but nothing of consequence. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 I thought the text was very sensitive to cultural issues and was extremely inclusive, especially when it came to student backgrounds.
Content Accuracy rating: 5 The book is unbiased and except for one typo at the end of the book. Clarity rating: 5 The text is clearly written. Consistency rating: 5 Each chapter in the book followed the same structure and it is easy to navigate throughout the chapter. Modularity rating: 5 Each chapter is separate and can be separate to use as its own.
Interface rating: 5 The text is clearly written with many internet resources linked. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 No grammatical issues are found. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 The book takes into consideration of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Comments The authors of the book had made great to include most critical areas in the literacy field. Content Accuracy rating: 5 The text used content that was very well-supported through use of citations that are important to the field of literacy education. Clarity rating: 5 The text is very well-written throughout. Consistency rating: 5 The text seemed very cohesive and consistent across chapters. Modularity rating: 5 I definitely found that the text could be used in smaller sections and I could see using the text split into different courses.
Interface rating: 5 The text used excellent links to outside resources and these links seemed to work very well. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I found no significant grammatical errors in the text. It was well-written throughout. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 The text seemed to be culturally sensitive throughout. Comments This is an excellent text to use as an overview to literacy instruction.
Content Accuracy rating: 5 The research cited was covered accurately, with good representation of the data. Clarity rating: 4 Generally the book is very readable.
Consistency rating: 5 Definitely. Modularity rating: 5 It would be easy to use a chapter or two from the book on a specific topic without using the whole text and it would be comprehensible. Interface rating: 5 I reviewed the PDF version of the book and had no trouble with links, charts or tables. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I found no more errors than I would in a printed text. Cultural Relevance rating: 4 I did not find evidence of cultural insensitivity.
Comments The book is very comprehensive in covering why a topic is important and what the research says. Content Accuracy rating: 4 I wonder if the links will be updated or reviewed on an annual or other basis. Clarity rating: 5 The text is easily read and follows the best practice of telling students what will be studied by opening each chapter with objectives. Consistency rating: 5 The writers and editors maintained consistency and accuracy in style, terms, voice, and design.
Modularity rating: 5 Because each chapter can stand alone, it is an excellent resource for several courses. Interface rating: 4 I liked the way the table of contents was linked in such a way that a reader could click and immediately access that chapter.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I found only one typo and a couple of comma omissions: p. Comments I plan to use this text the next time I teach a best practice course about teaching reading.
Content Accuracy rating: 4 For the most part, I feel that the content is accurate and unbiased. Clarity rating: 5 The authors did a thorough job explaining vocabulary in all chapters. Consistency rating: 4 I felt the text was very consistent with the exception of Chapter 9.
Modularity rating: 5 It was easy to read chapters of the text in isolation, but I think it would be a stronger tool if reading many chapters together. Interface rating: 5 I thought the interface was very easy to use.
Grammatical Errors rating: 4 I found at least one error abstract for Chapter 8. Comments I thought the layout of the text was excellent, but I would have liked to see more visuals throughout the chapters such as the figures in chapter 3. Content Accuracy rating: 4 The accuracy in textbook chapters were good. Clarity rating: 4 I believe the clarity of the text and the "hot links" embedded in the text is a great feature for undergraduate readers.
Consistency rating: 5 The team did an excellent job of consistency and accuracy in style, terminology and design. Modularity rating: 4 There are more reference to experts in the field historical and current to support all context, easy read and assignment of various chapters or entire textbook would be most helpful in future course planning. Interface rating: 4 I am very impressed with the easy navigation of this text: click on a chapter and it opens to the exact page, click on a link within a page takes you to that website easily, back space brings you back to the textbook where you click on the chapter and you are back.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I did not notice any errors. Cultural Relevance rating: 4 I did not find anything negative. Comments I am very interested in using this book for one of my reading foundation courses in fall Clarity rating: 4 I thought the chapters were clear and concise. Consistency rating: 5 Each chapter had learning objectives, questions and activities, and extensive references. Modularity rating: 5 The text is readily divisible by chapter and by smaller sections with headings.
Cultural Relevance rating: 4 I did not read any culturally insensitive material. In fact, the book had several chapters and parts of chapters specific to cultural relevance Comments This book was informative and packed with great information and current research.
Content Accuracy rating: 4 For the most part, the book presents accurate information and identifies positive and negative aspects about instructional strategies by including research to support the information. Clarity rating: 5 Most of the chapters are clearly written and provides clear examples or scenarios.
Consistency rating: 4 There is consistency throughout the book; however, some chapters provide more of a critical stance to literacy methods and research while other chapters are less analytical. Modularity rating: 5 The books chapters are generally the same length and will be easy to assign for course topics. Interface rating: 4 Although I did not click on all of the links to additional resources, most of the links worked.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5 I did not notice any glaring grammar errors; however, there were a few typos and text alignment issues. Content Accuracy rating: 4 The content definitely is unbiased.
Clarity rating: 4 The text is well written! I am considering using pieces of it with my undergraduates. Consistency rating: 4 The text is incredibly consistent in terms of terminology. Modularity rating: 5 My favorite aspect of this text is how divisible it is! Interface rating: 3 Labeling of tables, charts and figures are slightly confusing. Grammatical Errors rating: 4 No issues noticed.
Cultural Relevance rating: 5 The book discusses multicultural literacy and students with disabilities in a straightforward manner.
Comments Overall, I think this is a great text! Content Accuracy rating: 5 I do not believe there is any way to write an unbiased text, but the author's are transparent about their stances. Clarity rating: 4 The text is a fairly accessible read. Consistency rating: 5 Though there are multiple writers and each chapter can stand alone, the conceptual framework is maintained and the book is cohesive.
Modularity rating: 5 Each chapter can stand alone and they are of a manageable length. Interface rating: 5 The text is easy to navigate and all images and figures are readable. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 The book is free of grammatical issues. Cultural Relevance rating: 5 This text does an excellent job of considering issues of culture and social justice, within the parameters of literacy research.
Content Accuracy rating: 5 Information provided is accurate. Clarity rating: 5 Each chapter has different author and each of them has their unique writing style. Consistency rating: 5 The book is consistent in terms of tones, voices and terminology.
Modularity rating: 5 This book is extremely modular in its organization at the chapter level. Interface rating: 5 Both online and PDF version work well. Easy to navigate for first time user. Grammatical Errors rating: 5 The text is well written. Cultural Relevance rating: 4 Chapter 12 addresses culturally responsive literacy strategies specifically, however, I would like to see more culturally relevant instruction and examples throughout the whole text.
Comments Overall, this book is well organized with rich information for literacy instruction. Content Accuracy rating: 5 The information presented in this textbook is accurate. Clarity rating: 5 The text is easy to read. Consistency rating: 5 The consistency of the text is well maintained with respect to the uses of terminologies and concepts, the structure of each chapter abstract, learning objectives, and questions and activities , as well as the theme of the book across all chapters i.
Hello, Guest! Register Login ePublish your book Help. Non Fiction Personality Development. Ebook Hide Help Rent this eBook. Buy eBook. Gift a Rent. Gift this eBook. Read Later. The 5 Steps to Success. Author: Yandamoori Veerendranath. Publisher: Navasahiti Book House. Pages: Language: English. Add to myList What is this? Login to add a comment Subscribe to latest comments. Sooryabhai says
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