Reading Process and Practice, Third Edition

It's been eight years since the 1994 publication of the second edition of Reading Process and Practice. In those eight short years, much has changed in literacy education. While more and more teachers have learned about the development of literacy and effective ways to foster it, we are increasingly being faced with government and corporate intrusion into our classrooms as we experience more and more politically determined state and national mandates, not to mention federal funding with ideological strings attached—all of which restrict our decision making as professional educators. One of my aims in this third edition has been to provide accurate data, informed critique, and results of oft-ignored research studies that may help you counteract what is promoted or mandated by the State, when informed practice tells us that the mandated teaching is harmful to kids. Obviously the other major aim for Reading Process and Practice is, and always has been, to provide information about the reading process, the research behind our understanding of that process, and concrete, teacher-tested ideas for implementing exemplary literacy instruction: to offer you information crucial for supporting and teaching your students in ways that will enable them to become proficient, eager, lifelong readers. Those of us who teach know that the art of teaching remains unchanged, regardless of what the State may require. Effective instruction stems from a sensitive, informed response to students' needs; my aim is to help you achieve that goal.
—Connie Weaver, from the Preface of Reading Process and Practice, Third Edition

Features of this web page include case studies to complement the chapters from Reading Process and Practice relating to assessment and its application in teaching students who need additional help. Written mostly by Lisa Schade, the case studies deal with students having different reading patterns and needs, at different instructional levles: first grade, fourth grade, and junior high. This site also contains a superb annotated professional bibliography for teachers. Compiled and annotated by first-grade teacher Catherine Compton-Lilly.

Reader Profile Project (PDF, 118KB)
This document contains some questions on reading strategies and then Connie's current assignment handout for the Reader Profile Project.

Case Studies Drawn from Reader Profile Projects (PDF, 227KB)
These case studies are offered as a supplement to the third edition of Reading Process and Practice, in order to help teachers better understand some of the insights that can be derived from doing a miscue analysis and developing a Reader Profile, as discussed in Chapter 8 of the book.

Professional References for Teachers (PDF, 264KB)
This bibliography has more than twenty sections on reading and writing to various and varying student populations at all grade levels, and more. In addition, the bibliography contains brief sections of professional journals and professional videos for teachers.