Why Jane and John Couldn't Read--And How They Learned: A New Look at Striving Readers

Although there is broad agreement about the major components of good reading instruction, many students continue to struggle with reading, and some never achieve high levels of literacy. To address this concern, "Why Jane and John Couldn't Read - And How They Learned" presents an interest-driven model of reading that focuses on students' strengths and abilities, not their deficits. The model, which is based on the author's study of striving readers who became highly successful individuals, will help you conceptualize striving readers in a new way by focusing on what they can do. Specifically, the model will help you make the most of students' passionate, personal interests; avid, topic-specific reading; background knowledge; use of reading strategies; and, relationships with mentors. The chapters not only share stories of how some striving readers overcame their struggles but also highlight instructional strategies and materials that you can use to develop activities and lessons for your striving readers. This book is an indispensable resource for teachers, reading specialists, parents, and others working to promote academic resilience and success in both children and adults.