The Child as Critic

Now in its fourth edition, this classic textbook offers theory and practice for creating and implementing holistic, literature-based approaches to the teaching of reading. The author uses a proven research base and examples from actual classroom practices to present teachers with numerous practical suggestions for planning these programs, including information on small-group discussion techniques, questioning, ways of eliciting response, record-keeping, evaluation, book selection, and appropriate methods of presentation. This bestselling text has helped thousands of teachers, language arts supervisors, and curriculum specialists to create effective reading programs—programs that are fun and inspiring for both the student and the educator.

The completely updated Fourth Edition features:

• A new chapter discussing the significance of contemporary literary theories for classroom practice.
• Expanded lists of children’s authors, including many recently published books.
• A new section on storytelling, demonstrating how to “talk” a story so that children hang on every word.
• An expanded poetry section, showing teachers how to get started in their classroom.
• Advice on assessments and suggestions for facilitating writing.
• Ideas for guiding the reading experience, with particular attention to intertextuality and inquiry.