RTI: The Classroom Connection for Literacy

Book Excerpt (Chapter 1 About Reading)

This book is based upon two premises: that all students need to develop the skill of reading, the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message (or more simply stated, making sense of symbols and words by making connections to them); and that educators need to dialogue early and often about how to best teach all students to read, regardless of their race, culture, economic status or disability. This is accomplished by using high quality, effective instruction and interventions that have been proven by research to work (Lyon, 2004). Research conducted through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at universities throughout the country and reviewed by the National Reading Panel (NICHD, 2000) has dispelled some long-held beliefs about reading and disabilities and has produced evidence to substantiate the following:  

• Early language characteristics predict later reading and writing skills. 

• Boys and girls are equally likely to have reading problems. Reading problems do not discriminate. 

• About 20 percent of all children entering Kindergarten have significant difficulty learning to read. Whether or not they continue to have difficulties depends on the instruction available in grades K-3.

 271 pgs., 2007

TGIF: But What Will I Do on Monday?
The 260 proven techniques in this book help educators cope with students' behavioral challenges. Whether the challenge arises during Teacher instruction, Guided practice, Independent Practice Activities, or Final Measurement, educators simply look up a specific issue and select the solution that best fits the circumstance.

TGIF will help all students follow directions, meet goals, recall information, participate in class, complete assignments, and do better on tests.

TGIF: Making It Work on Monday
TGIF's timesaving companion source contains more than 100 full-size reproducibles cross-referenced to the TGIF guide. The resource includes valuable student and teacher materials such as tracking sheets, organizers, handouts, and activity sheets.

Give each student the opportunity to learn in his or her own way in a caring classroom environment!