Supporting Students with Literacy Difficulties: A Responsive Approach »

In many countries, school populations are becoming increasingly socially and culturally diverse, and delivering effective literacy programmes is becoming more challenging and complex. This book shows schools how to address difficulties with literacy learning experienced by students of diverse backgrounds, by employing strategies that respond to and affirm difference. This 'responsive approach' actively engages with students' prior knowledge and experiences and ensures that these are fully validated in the literacy activities of the classroom. The responsive approach includes members of students' homes and communities collaborating to facilitate their participation in defining and delivering literacy programmes.

This book illustrates ways in which teachers and other adults can create responsive social contexts at school and at home, to enable all children to participate fully in reading, writing and oral language activities in the classroom. It offers effective strategies for overcoming barriers to literacy learning, including: Reading tutoring that promotes comprehension and independence, Writing partnerships that respond to children's messages, Responsive feedback strategies, Interactive contexts that promote student responsibility for learning, Community and school collaboration to develop authentic learning tasks. Supporting Students with Literacy Difficulties: A Responsive Approach is key reading for teacher education students, practising teachers and parents.

About the Author:
Ted Glynn is Foundation Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Waikato and a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand

About the Author:
Janice Wearmouth isSenior Lecturer in Special and inclusive Education at the Open University, UK, and Director of the Centre for Curriculum and Teaching Studies

About the Author:
Mere Berryman manages the New Zealand Ministry of Education (Special Education) Poutama Pounamu Maori Education Research and Development Centre