Literacy Techniques

About the Book

The main aim of the book is to present 50 key literacy techniques for instructional purposes, in outline and graphic form, which preserve the essential elements of each technique.

Literacy Techniques is designed to assist literacy instruction in four main ways:
1. The 50 literacy techniques represent a major 'knowledge base' for individuals who need to develop effective teaching techniques in literacy.
2. The 50 literacy techniques have been carefully selected from a wide range of resources in the field. Most of the techniques are not available in a single publication.
3. The 50 literacy techniques act as an up-date for individuals who are not currently aware of the latest instructional developments in the field.
4. The over 50 web sites provide access to an enormous amount of literacy resources that can be used in the classroom and in the home.

A major benefit of using the book is that it provides summaries of literacy techniques that can be quickly applied to a variety of learning situations. The book can be used by undergraduate and graduate students, by pre-service and practicing teachers, as well as other caregivers involved in home schooling, family literacy, or working as literacy volunteers. The techniques enable them to use interesting and valuable activities to strengthen and encourage their students to achieve their full learning potential.

The literacy techniques are not intended for use solely with remedial readers. They include ideas suitable for use with primary, elementary, middle and high school students, as well as with students requiring special assistance or acceleration in their programs. A wide variety of hands-on activities, including the use of computer programs, is a natural follow-up to most of the techniques included in Literacy Technique: For Teachers and Parents.

About the Author

Dr. Peter Edwards is currently a professor at SUNY New Paltz where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy education. Peter is also coordinator of the literacy programs at the university. Previously he was a reading specialist in Northern Virginia, a reading clinician in private practice, and a Professor of Education at Plattsburgh State University of New York. Dr. Edwards was Director of the Reading Center at SUNY Plattsburgh and worked regularly with children, parents, and teachers in various aspects of literacy.

Dr. Edwards has had extensive teaching experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Australia, Canada, and the USA. Peter has published books and articles in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Malaysia. His best selling book, Seven Keys to Successful Study is in its second edition and he is currently working on a literacy handbook for educators, parents, and students.

Dr. Edwards' interests include research into basic linguistic factors influencing literacy development, and the practical application of research findings to help all students achieve their full educational potential.