McCracken and McCracken 1986

McCracken, Robert A., and Marlene J. McCracken. 1986.Stories, songs, and poetry to teach reading and writing: Literacy through language. Chicago: American Library Association. 157 pages. 0838904505. (Review by Gallemore 1991.) Location: Dallas SIL Library 372.6044 M132. Interest level: lay specialist.

Describes the reading process, ways to begin teaching reading, and ways to write. Proposes a literature based, child centered, integrated curriculum. Begins with meaning as the most important characteristic of language. Of prime importance is to learn to love books and to learn that books are full of meaning. As children hear the same songs, stories, and poems many times, their brains begin to discern patterns. As they have text to look at, they begin to read along and discover how print works. Finally, they learn to recognize words.

Many reading programs have reversed these stages, and begin with learning letters, sounds, and words; parts precede the whole. Recommends a definite sequence for phonics and spelling, beginning with first grade, and closely links this with writing. In general, authors believe that language acquisition is not linear, and that many steps occur simultaneously.

Is a practical book, based on sound theoretical principles. Gives many examples to guide creative application of the ideas.

• Bibliography module: McCracken and McCracken 1986
• In overview module: Bibliography (Literacy): M
• In modular book: Bibliography (Literacy), by Doris Gallemore, Trudi C. Hunt, Jeanne Swanson, and Stephen L. Walter
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

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