Literacy for the 21st Century

by Gail E. Tompkins

Based on four contemporary theories of literacy learning—constructivist, sociolinguistic, interactive, and reader response—this best-selling text exposes readers to sound methodology infused with authentic examples of best practice. Utilizing highly readable text and many samples of student work, the author demonstrates how to implement a balanced literacy program by engaging students with literature, critical skills, and strategies.

Features of the Multimedia Edition include:

New English Language Learners teaching notes provide meaningful adaptations for reading and writing strategies, pinpointing way. teachers can help second language learners who are learning to read or who struggle with English literacy. Newly expanded coverage of assessment includes specific examples of Assessment Tools, as well as Assessment Resources, a feature providing website and journal references. Two free CD-ROMs of real classroom footage, fully integrated into the text with margin notes and a color insert, give users an intimate look at balancing reading instruction in both primary end middle grades. The Compendium of Instructional Procedures presents step-by-step instructions for 38 popular teaching practices. How Effective Teachers . . . lists it the end of each chapter describe effective teaching practices.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Professional Development, Writing

560 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Gail E. Tompkins earned her master’s degree and then her doctorate in Reading/Language Arts from Virginia Tech. She began her teaching career at Miami University in Ohio, then transferred to the University of Oklahoma and finally taught at California State University in Fresno. Because of her work with preservice and practicing teachers she received numerous awards for her teaching including the Provost’s Award of Excellence in Teaching at Cal State, Fresno and was inducted into the California Reading Association’s Reading Hall of Fame. She has been writing college textbooks for over 30 years—all focused on anticipating the questions teachers might ask and providing information to make her text users the most effective teachers. Other titles she has written include Language Arts: Patterns of Practice, 9e; Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach, 6e; Literacy for the Early Grades: A Successful Start for PreK-4 Readers and Writers, 3e; Literacy in the Middle Grades, 2e; and, 50 Literacy Strategies, 4e.

Reviews

[Candace]

Definitely good for future teachers! I won't be selling this one back to the bookstore when the semester is over - it had some really good ideas for lesson planning and teaching struggling readers & writers.

[Ietrio]

A bureaucrat giving other governmental bureaucrats the vocabulary needed to keep their jobs.

[E.A.G. E.A.G.]

Lots of good information and methods to consider in this book. It is an excellent resource for the teachers and future teachers. I really enjoyed the reading of this book and found it to be very informative for both my classroom observations and the time class assignments. I will definitely reflect 0n this from time to time for lesson planning.

[Ashley]

This book was a textbook for my reading instruction class and I really enjoyed it. It provided information in an organized fashion with plenty of classroom resources, booklists, and instructional strategies which I am sure I will use in the future as an educator. This would be a good reference tool for the future.

[Devan]

An incredibly well-written and well-researched book, jam packed with both theory and practical information for literacy educators. Even has special notes in each section about relevance for ELLs. Awesome resource.

[Shannon]

A nice look at the modern literacy classroom.

[Tiffeny]

A great resource for teachers with ways to teach all learners (on target, struggling, advances, ELLs, etc) and practical tips & tricks.

[Rachel]

Well-written, tad dense, but very informative.

[Christine]

This book is a tremendous resource for beginning educators. It offers specific examples of the topics covered in applying the techniques and assessments discussed. The charts and tables provide quick access to the comprehensive material making this book user-friendly and necessary to include on every teacher's book shelf.

[Stacy]

Very informational. Truly describes a balanced literacy approach to teaching including many real-life examples, strategies that teachers have found effective, and great information about how children learn to read.

[Talli]

This book will be helpful in teaching because it addresses various issues with teaching literacy to our students. It talks a lot about things like shared reading, shared writing, read alouds, interactive writing, and guided reading.

[Sarah]

Real-life examples, tools for teaching and assessing students, sample minilessons, and lots of fabulous ideas for teaching literacy.

Worthwhile to look through if starting literature circles, reading/writing workshop, or looking for ideas on teaching elements of literacy.

[Heidiann]

I have only read one chapter but this book seems to be really informative on teaching literacy.

[Jessicaleighb]

This is an AMAZING resource for any literacy collection

[Audrey]

I read this as part of a class I was taking.

[Joli Wake]

excellent resource for teaching Emergent Readers

[Lteegarden]

Great Book to share with my Reading Gang!

[Katherine]

Wonderful introduction for those just learning about how to teach reading and also a great resource for seasoned teachers.

[Nancy Brown]

Read for teacher licensure Spring 2025 Colorado Mesa University
Read for teacher licensure spring 206 Colorado Mesa university

[Ellen Deckinga]

Great review prior to the reading specialist exam. It has some great nuggets for instruction that teachers would benefit from.