Teaching kindergarten has never been as challenging as it is today. For many, the biggest challenge is * Balancing play-based learning and explicit instruction * Balancing child-centered and teacher-guided curricula * Balancing whole-class, small-group, and individual structures In this book, educational consultant and best-selling author Lori Jamison Rog shows how to maintain balance to best serve our youngest learners. With one foot in early literacy and one foot in the kindergarten classroom, Lori offers a research-based, practical overview of how to set kindergartners on the journey to becoming readers and writers. Chapters provide the perfect blend of research and practice, making the book ideal for both new and experienced teachers. Teachers, teacher leaders, and teacher educators will find not only best practices, but also a wealth of ideas and strategies to add to their teaching toolboxes, as well as engaging classroom photos and examples of student w