Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms

by Ruth Schoenbach, Cynthia Greenleaf, Lynn Murphy

"As elegantly practical as it is theoretically elegant. It is a guided tour, as one examines the tools of expert teachers as they engage students in a journey that is aptly dubbed Reading Apprenticeship--learning how to become a savvy, strategic reader under the tutelage of thoughtful, caring, and demanding teachers." P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley, and founding editor of the Handbook of Reading Research."Reading for Understanding "is a monumental achievement. It was a monumental achievement when it came out as a first edition in 1999, bringing years of rigorous reading research together in a framework for teaching that made sense in actual secondary school classrooms. Now, just thirteen years later, Schoenbach and Greenleaf have several randomized clinical trials and multiple on-going studies at their fingertips to demonstrate the effects of this approach for developing the reading and thinking of young people in our nation's middle and high school classrooms, as well as in community college classrooms. Their careful work on developing disciplinary literacy among all students represents a passion for and commitment to supporting students--and their teachers--in reading for understanding, which translates to reading for enjoyment, self-awareness, learning, and for purposeful and informed action in our society. --Elizabeth Moje, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Education, University of MichiganReading Apprenticeship has proven to be an inspiration to Renton Technical College faculty and students alike. They have learned together to view themselves as readers in transformative ways, as they embrace powerful techniques to increase reading comprehension. The ideas and strategies in" Reading for Understanding" anchor this new and broad-based energy around reading and an enthusiasm among our faculty to model effective reading strategies for our students. --Steve Hanson, President, Renton Technical College, Renton, Washington "Reading for Understanding" has the finest blend I have seen of research, strategies, and classroom vignettes to deepen teacher learning and help them connect the dots between theory and practice. --Curtis Refior, Content Area Literacy Coach, Fowlerville Community Schools, Fowlerville, Michigan"A teacher-tested, research-based resource for dramatically improving reading skills""Published in partnership with WestEd, this significantly updated second edition of the bestselling book contains strategies for helping students in middle school through community college gain the reading independence to master subject area textbooks and other material.""Based on the Reading Apprenticeship program, which three rigorous "gold standard" research studies have shown to be effective in raising students' reading achievement ""Presents a clear framework for improving the reading and subject area learning of all students, including English learners, students with special needs, as well as those in honors and AP courses ""Provides concrete tools for classroom use and examples from a range of classrooms""Presents a clear how-to for teachers implementing the subject area literacies of the Common Core Standards""Reading for Understanding proves it's never too late for teachers and students to work together to boost literacy, engagement, and achievement."

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Academic

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2012

About the author

Ruth is a passionate advocate and clear-headed researcher for best practices that improve literacy for adolescent students.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Jorgensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this as an all-school read. It was dense and didn't bring out the joy of reading, nor did it inspire me to improve disciplinary learning. The authors promote their apprentice too much, which my school did not purchase.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not usually a big fan of textbooks, but this is well done. It's practical, and they aren't trying to sell you their boxed system. Many of the tools included would be beneficial in a wide range of classroom settings, not only the reading classroom.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predicated upon the fundamental yet somehow still revolutionary idea that literacy is the root of all learning—and therefore every teacher is a teacher of reading—this volume thoroughly explains the basic principles of reading pedagogy; in short, readers construct meaning from texts by using specific strategies that facilitate understanding.

The authors clearly explain the social, personal, cognitive, and knowledge-building dimensions of literacy and advocate (wisely) a metacognitive approach to support students as they learn how to learn. More importantly, the text overflows with practical strategies and techniques, some that target reading instruction within the context of a specific subject area (e.g., literacy instruction for science, math, history, etc.) and some that are suitable—with some modification—for most literacy instruction contexts. In addition, authentic “classroom close-ups” illustrate the use of these strategies in actual classrooms ranging from middle school to community college.

An invaluable resource for teachers of all subjects at all grade levels, if you’re interested in helping your students become independent readers and learners, you will want to read this text.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Reading Apprenticeship Program is innovative way to keep kids focused on reading and building literacy skills for their futures... But with limited class time and an continuously growing to-do list, as a teacher I find it difficult to make analyzing a single one page passage the prime focus of a precious class period of time. Yes, there are many elements to the program that can assist my teaching, but it takes quite a bit more effort from an already exhausted teacher to implement these rather basic things. The school year that lies ahead is my guinea pig and this is the manual to guide me, even though I think it requires more realistic connections.

[Tiffany Ingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with value from cover to cover. I have used this book and used it and used it. If you are trying to bring change to your classroom and college to create more equity, I highly recommend this book as a professional learning tool.

[Dawn Fable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read this book, I find new inspiration and ideas to help my students.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite amazing. So much (almost overwhelmingly much) theoretical and practical information about how to really help students read--not just decode, but read. I picked it up to participate in an online discussion group with other adult education teachers. Their comments added to my knowledge as well. I'll be digesting this one for a long time, and hope I can start using some of the ideas soon.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a goldmine of educational resources to provide students with the tools and skills to learn how to learn and understand how to gain knowledge and understanding. A vast improvement from the idea of lecture and remember or answer these teacher generated questions and then remember them for a test.

[Teresa Hintze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book, especially if you have students or children who struggle with reading. I am starting to use these strategies in my classroom and can already see a big difference in how I teach and how the students approach their reading.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this textbook! Definitely much more engaging as far as textbooks go. The graphics and charts were really helpful. I also liked the insights into specific teachers' stories. Overall a good read with many great teacher strategies!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am re-reading this one to examine how my experiences with teaching reading have shifted my thinking and where I might find or notice ideas I missed the first time around.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, research-based ideas for all secondary and post-secondary teachers on how to help students become competent and engaged readers.

[Karma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book from cover to cover. Very useful information for teaching in secondary and college classrooms.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a whole ton of great literacy strategies teachers can use in the classroom to get students to be cognitive and metacognitive while looking into texts.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very user-friendly blend of research, theory, and practical classroom "vignettes." Highly recommended for teachers in every discipline, veteran or novice. >^..^<

[Davida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm as finished as I can be for now, but I would like to return to this book. Lots of really good ideas that bring together many different aspects of being an effective teacher.

[Laurie]

THE most impactful read of my teaching career. Reading Apprenticeship showed me how to do the things I knew were best for my students. Definitely pushed me to try approaches that were not in my wheelhouse as a social studies teacher, but helped me significantly improve my teaching as I connected with my students and was able to share my expertise in ways that were relevant and motivating to them.

[Marlo Spritzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopped around a lot in this one and didn't read every page, but what I didn't read I pick up in my RA training. Using these strategies has definitely transformed my approach and I highly recommend to others. My primary criticism is that in a world where teachers are encouraged to integrate technology in our instruction, this text falls to step up to the challenge. I've had to figure out lots of ways to marry the two approaches and have been successful, but fir those who are less tech savvy, suggestions for tech integration with RA would be a plus.

[Mills College Library]

428.40712 S3653 2012

[Liv Harlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive at times, but a must-read for teachers. As far as textbooks go, this is an interesting read packed with valuable insight and strategies that can be used in all content areas.