Content Area Literacy: A Framework for Reading-Based Instruction, 5th Edition

This textbook is quite pricey but I know that is beyond the authors' control. I purchased this book for a graduate class but I teach language arts. Authors have provided a great case for literacy skills across all content areas, not just ELA. Lots of resources and suggestions provided. The textbook has been an excellent resource. I just wish the research cited and examples given were more up-to-date.

But more than just a how to manual. This book gives piles of great examples and methods for a teacher to use in the classroom, but it also convinces the reader that these methods should be used because Content Area Literacy (CAL) is important. this book gives the reader the knowledge needed to advocate for content area literacy and use it in class. I had never heard of CAL until I took a class with Dr. Thomas (one of the authors). This book (and Dr. Thomas) convinced me that CAL is a necessary foundation for education. I am definitely keeping this textbook, even though I could get a lot back for it from the campus bookstore, because there are far too many good teaching methods to remember them all and I need it for reference.

This is an excellent book. It is a book of reading instruction guided activities that are effective for scaffolding instruction in all areas of school subjects. The instruction activities in the book helps teachers to teach students how to think critically. The book focuses on comprehension of what has been read. So, it offers ways to prepare students before they read content for a class, and ways to guide them while they are reading, then ideas to follow-up after the reading is done in order to ensure understanding.

Easy read, lots of information valuable to anyone going into the education field even if your concentrated area is not English.

I bought this book about 8 years ago or so (third addition) in the middle of my teaching career. It revolutionized my practice. Its really based on a constructivist view of learning where teaching is about facilitating your students "construction" of meaning and thus understanding as opposed to the teacher simply filling an empty vessel. This book is chock full of examples and step by step strategies that will make a difference in your teaching. I return to this book 8 years later and its still relevant as ever if not more so than when I picked it up the first time. I HIGHLY recommend it.