Reading for Understanding (PDF)

"As elegantly practical as it is theoretically elegant. It is a
guided tour, as one examines the tools of expert teachers as they
engage students in a journey that is aptly dubbed Reading
Apprenticeship?learning how to become a savvy, strategic reader
under the tutelage of thoughtful, caring, and demanding teachers.?
P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley, and founding
editor of the Handbook of Reading Research.

Reading for Understanding is a monumental achievement. It
was a monumental achievement when it came out as a first edition in
1999, bringing years of rigorous reading research together in a
framework for teaching that made sense in actual secondary school
classrooms. Now, just thirteen years later, Schoenbach and
Greenleaf have several randomized clinical trials and multiple
on-going studies at their fingertips to demonstrate the effects of
this approach for developing the reading and thinking of young
people in our nation?s middle and high school classrooms, as well
as in community college classrooms. Their careful work on
developing disciplinary literacy among all students represents a
passion for and commitment to supporting students?and their
teachers?in reading for understanding, which translates to reading
for enjoyment, self-awareness, learning, and for purposeful and
informed action in our society. ?Elizabeth Moje, Arthur F. Thurnau
Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Education,
University of Michigan

Reading Apprenticeship has proven to be an inspiration to Renton
Technical College faculty and students alike. They have learned
together to view themselves as readers in transformative ways, as
they embrace powerful techniques to increase reading comprehension.
The ideas and strategies in Reading for Understanding anchor
this new and broad-based energy around reading and an enthusiasm
among our faculty to model effective reading strategies for our
students. ?Steve Hanson, President, Renton Technical College,
Renton, Washington Reading for Understanding has the finest
blend I have seen of research, strategies, and classroom vignettes
to deepen teacher learning and help them connect the dots between
theory and practice. ?Curtis Refior, Content Area Literacy Coach,
Fowlerville Community Schools, Fowlerville, Michigan



A teacher-tested, research-based resource for
dramatically improving reading skills

Published in partnership with WestEd, this significantly updated
second edition of the bestselling book contains strategies for
helping students in middle school through community college gain
the reading independence to master subject area textbooks and other
material.

* Based on the Reading Apprenticeship program, which three
rigorous "gold standard" research studies have shown to be
effective in raising students' reading achievement

* Presents a clear framework for improving the reading and
subject area learning of all students, including English learners,
students with special needs, as well as those in honors and AP
courses

* Provides concrete tools for classroom use and examples from a
range of classrooms

* Presents a clear how-to for teachers implementing the subject
area literacies of the Common Core Standards

Reading for Understanding proves it's never too late for
teachers and students to work together to boost literacy,
engagement, and achievement.