American Reading Instruction

by Nila Banton Smith

American Reading Instruction, Special Edition
Nila Banton Smith First published in 1934 and updated in 1965 and 1986, American Reading Instruction has provided insight and historical perspective to reading instruction in the United States beginning with the Colonial era. The volume addresses such areas as theories and practical applications; established and emerging leaders in the reading field; fads and trends; linguistics and technology; cultural, social, and economic issues; and supporting research and professional literature. This special edition adds several new features, including
-a prologue by Richard D. Robinson and an epilogue by Norman A. Stahl,
-an expanded history of reading from 1967 to the present by P. David Pearson,
-an annotated bibliography on reading history published since 1986, and
-a short biography of Nila Banton Smith. Teacher educators will value this important resource for both preservice preparation and graduate-level courses, while reading research and reading history enthusiasts alike will find it to be the definitive starting point in historical studies. The International Reading Association is the world's premier organization of literacy professionals. Our titles promote reading by providing professional development to continuously advance the quality of literacy instruction and research. Research-based, classroom-tested, and peer-reviewed, IRA titles are among the highest quality tools that help literacy professionals do their jobs better. Some of the many areas we publish in -Comprehension
-Response To Intervention/Struggling Readers
-Early Literacy
-Adolescent Literacy
-Assessment
-Literacy Coaching
-Research And Policy

Genres: Education

Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nila Banton Smith's book is the bible for the history of American reading instruction. Covering the years of 1606 through 1965, Smith discusses literacy instruction through different historical periods, specifically evaluating the effects that religion, politics, and society had on reading skills and instructional methods, as well as evaluating reading books and instructional aids for teachers.

Although this book has been out of print for some time, it is still considered THE book on the history of reading instruction and used by professors as the primary textbook for education students. It is very readable and very interesting to historians as well, to understand the changes in our society through the lens of literacy instruction.

[Andrea Lakly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takeaway: As a profession, we are making progress over history. We now teach more people to read more meaningfully than ever before. Still, we have achieved this not by walking toward the goal, but by making big, loose philosophical loops toward it.

[Alexis]

Currently rereading again. The history of reading development starting with Socrates. Yummy!