Teach Reading, Not Testing

Book excerpt: Teaching IS rocket science--and you are the pilot! Teach Reading, Not Testingreinforces what teachers already know--test preparation worksheets and drill-and-kill activities do not make children into lifelong readers. The authors′ conscientious approach to reading instruction combines an insider perspective on the development of high-stakes tests with classroom experience in achieving successful reading outcomes at the elementary and secondary levels. Their research-based methodology, building on teachers′ expertise about best practice, is based on five key components: Aligning instruction to the state or national core standards Using formative assessment Connecting units to real-world contexts Motivating students effectively Holding on to best practice in literacy instruction Included are end-of-chapter quizzes and real-life scenarios, plus a full chapter on teaching literacy with special populations. Readers will find helpful solutions for teaching children to love reading in the midst of the accountability movement, and an approach to test preparation that doesn′t require teachers to sacrifice everything they already know about teaching kids to read.