Focusing on pre-kindergarten through grade 4, this book provides a solid foundation in literacy instruction including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Offering a wealth of assessment tools and authentic classroom examples, it shows beginning educators how to teach reading and writing effectively in the early grades and how to create a classroom climate where literacy flourishes. Gail Tompkins bases her book on four contemporary literacy theoriesconstructivist, interactive, socio-linguistic and reader responseand maintains her solid focus on assessment and balanced literacy instruction. This edition features more on preventing reading difficulties, nurturing English Language Learners, fostering the earliest literacy learners, and adapting strategies to individual student development.