Narrowing the Literacy Gap: What Works in High-Poverty Schools (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy)

"This engaging book offers new insights and information on why students in high-poverty schools struggle with literacy achievement and what specific factors promote success. Findings from a unique study are translated into clear recommendations for enriching the classroom environment at different grade levels and helping all children, including English language learners, become highly skilled readers and writers. Packed with compelling observations and data, the book illustrates the realities of day-to-day life in the classroom, provides snapshots of exemplary instructional practices, and emphasizes the key role of teacher-student interactions in overcoming barriers to learning."--Publisher's website This book offers new insights and information on why students in high-poverty schools struggle with literacy achievement and what specific factors promote success. Findings from a unique study are translated into clear recommendations for enriching the classroom environment at different grade levels and helping all children, including English language learners, become highly skilled readers and writers. Packed with compelling observations and data, the book illustrates the realities of day-to-day life in the classroom, provides snapshots of exemplary instructional practices, and emphasizes the key role of teacher-student interactions in overcoming barriers to learning. The book contains five chapters as follows: (1) Learning from Students over Time; (2) Looking at Students' Literacy Learning; (3) Learning from Teachers; (4) Widening the Lens: Multiple Perspectives on Teaching and Learning; and (5) Conundrums and Discoveries Along the Way. An appendix is also included Looks at why students in high-poverty schools struggle with literacy achievement, details what specific factors promote success, and provides recommendations for enriching the classroom environment at different grade levels. These quotes come from Beverly Cleary's memoir A Girl from Yamhill (1988), where she highlights her experiences in elementary and high school.