Teaching phonics is one part of a complete read- ing program supporting early readers. As edu- cators, we aim to help students understand the link between sound and symbol, an essential tool as they progress in reading. But a tool needs to be used: a hammer without a nail is of limited use! In this new book, Julia B. Lindsey explains it is through the process of decoding that students apply phonics knowledge when reading and writing authentic texts. Lindsey defines decod- ing as the product of phonemic awareness and phonics, so students know “how to use sound- spelling relationships to read.” This book is a resource for teachers who
READING ABOVE THE FRAY: Reliable, Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills By Julia B. Lindsey Scholastic, 2022 160 pages, $44.81 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Yvonne Messenger
want to deepen their skills and knowledge to support beginning readers. Lindsey has re- viewed up-to-date research to suggest routines, and her book answers a question that both new and experienced teachers grapple with: “What do I need to know and do tomorrow… to make sure my students can and want to read?” In the first two chapters, Lindsey introduc-
es foundational skills, including oral language, vocabulary, phonological awareness, phonics and fluency. She reminds us that while in- struction in these skills is important, the larger goal is to provide an efficient path to reading so students can focus on “comprehension and knowledge-building work.”
She also high- lights cultural responsiveness and its essential
THE SNOW KNOWS By Jennifer McGrath, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon Nimbus Publishing, 2016 32 pages, $22.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Tina Buttineau
The Snow Knows is a beautifully illustrated pic- ture book that draws readers into the wonder and mysteries of a snowy forest. Through lyrical prose written in the style of a lullaby, this story gives readers an insight into all the creatures that call the winter forest home; it tells us what the snow knows. This book draws the reader in with its calming and melodic rhythm. Au- thor Jennifer McGrath has captured the sense of wonder children feel walking outside on a snowy morning and seeing tracks in the freshly fallen snow. What may seem like a still and quiet forest is bursting with life and adventure in the winter. It introduces the reader to a variety of animals, both wild and domestic, such as a fox, owl and otter to name a few. It begins with a great sense of adventure and mystery but comes back to the reader at the end with a tabby cat in front of the stove with the child looking out at the snowy landscape. This story feels like a complete journey for the reader. The paper creatures and illustrations are
stunning. Readers are immediately transported into this winter wonderland through the art of Josée Bisaillon. The simple text is bursting with life through the illustrations that take the reader on a journey through the book. The illustra-
place in our teaching for ensuring the success of all students. The remaining chapters tackle the key ele-
ments of decoding: oral language and vocabu- lary, print concepts, phonemic awareness, alpha- bet knowledge, sound-spelling relationships and chunking. Each chapter follows the same frame- work. She defines the element, summarizes the research and describes why it is important. Lind- sey shares key principles to consider as teachers incorporate the element into instruction and shares practical routines which she calls essential instructional swaps. These swaps are easy to im- plement. Related resources are available online. I recommend Reading Above the Fray to any
educator working with beginning readers or students who are finding the process of learn- ing to read challenging. I appreciate how Lind- sey honours the work of teachers and provides simple ways to build a toolkit of instructional routines. With the ongoing public discussion of approaches to teaching literacy, including the Ontario Right to Read recommendations, teachers may feel confused or overwhelmed with competing ideas. Lindsey helps bring practical clarity by bringing current research into the classroom in ways that teachers can in- corporate into their existing programs.
Yvonne Messenger is a member of the Halton Teacher Local.
tions will engage readers of all ages through its unique hide-and-seek style where the next ani- mal is carefully hidden in the illustration. The full-page illustrations and large font invite even the youngest readers to feel they are exploring the wintery woods. This book is sure to be a winter classic in
school and classroom libraries. There are many cross-curricular connections that can be made to this picture book. The animals could be the starting point for animal research projects, learning about their habitats and winter adap- tions. It could be acted out in drama or dance where students need to portray the animal’s unique movements. From a literacy perspective, this text introduces young readers to several lit- erary elements, including rhyming, alliteration and foreshadowing. It provides a wonderful opportunity for students to continue the story with their own secret that the snow knows. This book would be a perfect read aloud to get stu- dents thinking about and making connections to the natural world. It is sure to spark their cu- riosity and ignite their sense of wonder.
Tina Buttineau is a member of the Bluewater Teacher Local.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
