Words: The Foundation of Literacy

by Dale D. Johnson

Written by respected authorities in the fields of education and literacy studies, Words: The Foundation of Literacy is a groundbreaking book for teachers, administrators, and education students. Dale and Bonnie Johnson present a fresh, inspiring reminder of why studying language (from word origins to word structure) is such a vital first step in the development of students' vocabulary, literacy, writing skills, and overall ability to learn. At a time when high-stakes testing has squeezed substance from many curricula, Johnson and Johnson provide ways to enhance students' understanding, interest, and appreciation of language and all its subtleties. Words explores how meaning in language is created by the use and interrelationships of words, phrases, and sentences, their denotations, connotations, implications, and ambiguities. From birth, most children exhibit a natural interest in language: its sounds, nuances, and unpredictable qualities. It is important to sustain, stimulate, and recapture that natural interest in the classroom, and Words provides a multitude of creative and practical techniques for doing so.

255 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2010

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book for an add on reading endorsement certificate. I completely enjoyed this book and doing the activities. I am even brought in some of the activities to my middle school behavior classroom. The kids were completely engaged and very interested, which is sometimes hard to do.

This book would also be a good read if you enjoy words and word origins.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had put this aside for while. Rich met the husband and wife authors at the hospital. It was fascinating! I love all the random information I learned. I really liked the chapters on Origins and Figurative Language. While it's short and enjoyable, it reads a bit like a text book. If I were reading this for a college class, I would have loved the discussions, but been anxious about remembering all the word/phrase/language types and definitions. But reading it just for fun was...fun!