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Improving Literacy Instruction With Classroom Research
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Improving Literacy Instruction With Classroom Research



November 2008 | 216 pages | Corwin

"Filled with reflective questions, keen insights, and helpful resources, this engaging book supports both novice and veteran classroom researchers. At the heart of all of the research is how best to support, engage, and extend learners. As teachers read the clearly delineated steps, they will be energized to confidently engage in their own classroom research."
—Cheryl L. Dozier, Assistant Professor
University at Albany, State University of New York

Implement classroom research to develop effective practices in literacy instruction!

Teaching reading skills effectively can be a complex and challenging process for many educators. Theresa A. Deeney provides a detailed primer that illustrates how to create and implement classroom research projects focused on assessing and strengthening literacy instruction.

Improving Literacy With Classroom Research presents a comprehensive overview of the classroom research cycle, which involves noticing a problem, initiating an inquiry, planning for and implementing change, analyzing and reflecting on the results, and developing an action plan. The author includes:

  • Guidelines, charts, tables, and information to help educators initiate their own projects
  • Recommendations for collecting and analyzing data
  • Research about five core areas of reading instruction—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
  • Examples of authentic teacher research projects focused on literacy skills and instructional practices

This guide shows how to use teacher inquiry and reflection to bring about significant improvements in literacy instruction.


 
Preface
 
About the Author
 
Part I. Understanding Classroom Research
 
1. What Is Classroom Research?
 
2. Cycling Through the Steps
 
3. Dealing With Data
 
Part II. Teachers' Classroom Research in Literacy
Overview

 
Section 1: Looking at Teaching Within Mandated Programs

 
Introduction

 
 
4. Reading Aloud: Do I Really Sound Like That?
 
5. Keeping Track of Assessment Data Makes Teaching Easier
 
6. Differentiating Word Study Instruction
Section 2: Tying Research to Practice

 
Introduction

 
 
7. “Mr. ___ Just Said Rambunctious!”: Learning and Loving Vocabulary
 
8. Sounding Like Readers: Improving Fluency
 
9. Word Analysis and Phonemic Awareness Instruction for Older Students
 
10. Teaching Vocabulary One Part at a Time
 
11. Ethics and Other Issues in Classroom Research
 
Appendix A
 
Appendix B
 
References
 
Index

"Deeney's engaging but rigorous text provides teachers with the perfect and indispensable tool for increasing professionalism in the complex field of literacy education. By focusing on both the product and the process of classroom inquiry, Deeney has gifted us with a resource that not only tells us how to do classroom research, but why we must value it to improve our practice."

Dana L. Grisham, Professor of Teacher Education
California State University, East Bay

"Filled with reflective questions, keen insights, and helpful resources, this engaging book supports both novice and veteran classroom researchers. We see thought-provoking inquiries on comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary development as teachers research their current classroom practices, assessments, and district mandates. At the heart of all of the research is how best to support, engage, and extend learners. As teachers read the clearly delineated steps, they will be energized to confidently conduct their own classroom research."

Cheryl L. Dozier, Assistant Professor
University at Albany, State University of New York

“This book will be very helpful for discussing research and classroom teachers as researchers. The author provides good examples of doing qualitative research in the classroom using authentic teaching events.”

Jose Lalas, Professor of Literacy and Director of Teacher Education
University of Redlands
Key features
  • shows teachers how to implement action research in the literacy classroom
  • provides examples of actual literacy-based action research projects
  • packed with tables, charts, figures, guidelines, and more
  • builds understanding of five core literacy components
  • provides examples of effective instruction which can be used or modified as needed

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1: What Is Classroom Research?


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