Reading And Writing In Kindergarten: A Practical Guide

Rating:
Summary: How Refreshing
Review: Not only have I read Rosalie Franzese's book, I return to it constantly. Her ideas are remarkable. Put simply, they work. I'm taking her class right now, and 'observing' in NYC PS 19 (elementary), where she is coordinating numerous aspects of the school's transition from a phonics based literacy program to a balanced literacy approach. (Rosalie puts us to work! It gives us a chance to see this stuff in action, and to try it out.)
Her book though - extremely clear, well researched, proven techniques for helping kindergarteners learn to read. And frankly, the techniques she outlines for kindergarten instruction can be used (perhaps slightly modified) in the entire elementary school, at least. Her book combines the most positive and beneficial aspects of phonics and whole language instruction, and offers a balanced approach that works.
If you like this book, also look at Marie Clay's Observation Survey of Early Literacy Acheivement. (It's more or less what eclas is based on, for all you NYC-ers.)