6 ways to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom This much-anticipated follow-up to the bestselling book for K–2 teachers, Shifting the Balance, extends the conversation with this new text built specifically with grade 3–5 teachers in mind, introducing 6 more shifts across individual chapters that: • Zoom in on a common practice to reconsider
• Untangle a number of misunderstandings that have likely contributed to the use of the common practice
• Propose a more science-aligned shift to the current practice
• Provide solid scientific research to support the revised practice
• Offer a collection of high-leverage, easy-to-implement instructional routines to support the shift to more brain-friendly instruction Katie, Jan, and Kari know the pressure of the “Where to start?” question. In response, they offer a refreshing approach that is respectful, accessible, and practical—grounded in an earnest commitment to building a bridge between research and classroom practice. About the Authors: Katie Egan Cunningham is a veteran classroom teacher, literacy consultant, and teacher educator with twenty years of experience in education. She is an Associate Professor of Literacy and English Education at Mahattanville College where she teaches literacy methods, teacher research, and children’s literature courses. Katie is also the co-author of The Classroom Bookshelf, a weekly School Library Journal blog dedicated to children’s and young adult literature. Katie lives with her husband, a fellow educator, and two young sons who teach her every day about the importance of joyful living. Jan Burkins, author of Preventing Misguided Reading (IRA, 2010) and Kim Yaris are the writers and thinkers behind Burkins and Yaris -- Think Tank for 21st Century Literacy, where their blog and their instructional resources have drawn a national audience and made them thought leaders in the field of literacy instruction. Both former teachers, Jan and Kim are passionate about helping educators navigate, understand, and teach instructional standards without sacrificing their inner teacher. In their roles as literacy consultants, they work closely with schools and districts -- facilitating staff development, conducting in-class demonstrations, and developing curriculum. Kari Yates is an author, speaker, consultant and staff developer with a passion for helping busy literacy educators thrive. Her experiences include classroom teacher, special education, Reading Recovery teacher, elementary principal and district literacy coordinator. |
