Overview
Much has been written about the merits of changing the direction of language arts education and moving away from skill-oriented basal texts and worksheets into literature-based whole language programs. Little has been offered to teachers who are not fully satisfied with their present reading-writing programs but who lack the confidence to make a change. In this book Regie Routman attempts to provide support, encouragement, and ideas to teachers looking for alternatives. Drawing from her own experience, she describes an existing program that has worked well for students and teachers and offers suggestions of how any elementary classroom can benefit from the transition from standardized texts to literature. The material she presents is designed to demonstrate the alternatives available, to stimulate thinking, and to give teachers, parents, and administrators the knowledge and procedures that are necessary to make a change.