GREAT parent resource March 17, 2007 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I purchased this book in the hopes of finding something "new" to instill in my classroom teaching. I feel this book is more beneficial for parents than teachers, but both groups will find this book useful. I suppose that since my graduate studies were in the field of literacy and reading, I have already been exposed to most of what is in the book. I love that the authors end chapters with a section called "Teachers and Parents Together" and I truly hope that all who read this book will endeavor to strengthen the home-school relationship. This book is not too academic for parents without a background in education; it is reader-friendly and organized in a manner that would allow the reader to read it for short spans of time if desired. The index is useful. So, while I did not quite get what I had hoped for, I also did not walk away with nothing. This book is a good resource. I am going to keep my copy and have it on hand for the parents of my students to borrow. This book is a very good value for its price.
A Great Tool for Parents and Teachers Alike March 11, 2007 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
7 Keys to Comprehension helps both parents and teachers better understand the process children go through as they are learning to read and comprehend what they are reading. The writers avoid the technical speech and wording that often characterizes many professional texts. This book is written in such a way that someone who does not have a background in education and/or teaching can understand exactly what the writers want the readers to know...how to help children become better readers!
For teachers, this book is an excellent choice for cross-grade level book studies and discussion groups. The first and second grade teachers at my school, along with our principal, art teacher, literacy leader, family partnership specialist, and librarian jigsawed this book as part of a year-long, school-wide focus on comprehension and the learning that took place from the book and from each other was invaluable.
In turn, we have had the opportunity to share what we have learned with our parents and with other members of the community. The book can be used as a guide for parent workshops and presentations to the general public as well as in educational settings.
I have started to implement the strategies mentioned in the book and my students' level of comprehension is clearly improving dramatically.
Because of the straightforward nature of this amazing book, the lives are ALL of our children are changing for the better!
How to love reading August 18, 2006 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book is an understandable way for parents to instill the love of reading into their children. It gives real, practical ways to encourage the child to think beyond the text and link their reading to real world experiences, other books they have read and their own feelings. A very good book for parents with children who are just learning to read.
Practical Pedagogy for the Home and for the Classroom July 9, 2006 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Usually, after a kid has learned her phonics, she can sit down with a book and explore its inner world. Sometimes, however, one encounters a kid who can read perfectly fine, but who just doesn't get it; no matter how many times she is asked to "focus", she will finish the book with little more information than with which she started. If you are entrusted with the education of the latter type of child, than this book can provide valuable insight and direction. Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins have successfully isolated the processes which are used (subconsciously) by natural readers in order to make the leap from phonics to understanding. Each one of these processes receives a full treatment, containing conceptual, demonstrative, and pedagogic angles. Notably, the pedagogic sections present a dual outlook, first providing effective techniques for parent-child sessions, and afterward describing practical strategies for the classroom. To be sure, these two approaches are not exclusive; parents will find that the classroom strategies are often applicable for the home as well, and teachers will want to make use of the parent-child techniques when working one-on-one with students. Nevertheless, the successful simultaneous consideration of both frameworks clearly distinguishes the present volume from many of the other volumes of this genre. Sprinkled with personal anecdotes of Susan's travels across the Canyonlands, through the streets of ancient Greece, and down the Delaware, all of which serve as illuminating metaphors for the various Keys to Comprehension, this book is truly a journey through inner minds and outer worlds.
A MUST for Parents and Teachers August 20, 2003 99 out of 106 found this review helpful
I devoured this book!! As a parent and a teacher, I know that this book is valuable for both groups. If children have the benefit of knowing how to think while they read, there can be no stopping them. All of us who love to read may not even realize what we are doing during this process but something wonderful happens when we are engaged with a book: To name and model the "7 Keys" for children is so important for their futures as good readers.
If kids don't "see" what they are reading; (visualize) how can they possibly find meaning? Don't assume that these keys happen naturally all of the time. It is so crucial that we as parents and educators guide our kids through this wonderful discovery process in order to help them "get it" and love it!!
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who cares about literacy and for those helping to develop a generation of life-long readers. If you care about children loving reading: BUY THIS BOOK. If you care about children doing well in school: BUY THIS BOOK. If you care about children doing well in life: BUY THIS BOOK. If you care about children passing standardized tests: BUY THIS BOOK. If you care about children at all, BUY THIS BOOK.
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