Think Like a Reading Teacher: Foundations for Structured Literacy in Grades K-5 provides a research-based, classroom-tested framework to teach literacy with precision, confidence, and lasting impact. Unlike other books that focus on one piece of the literacy puzzle, this book equips educators with the full system – from structured literacy instruction to data-driven teaching and student motivation – ensuring that every child becomes a successful reader.
The book integrates the following reading strategies:
- The Science of Reading – Research-backed strategies for phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension
- Structured Literacy – How to teach reading explicitly and systematically so that all students succeed
- Data-Driven Teaching – How to use reading assessments to adjust instruction in real time, ensuring struggling readers don't slip through the cracks
- Student Engagement and Motivation – Proven strategies to create classrooms where students love reading and develop lifelong literacy skills
Building on decades of literacy research and practical, actionable strategies, this book equips educators with both the research knowledge and teaching expertise needed to transform reading instruction in their classrooms. Each chapter includes reflective questions that guide teachers to apply the strategies discussed to their own classrooms. These questions encourage educators to consider how they can implement real-time adjustments based on their own assessment data, helping them to personalize instruction and maximize impact.
At its core, this book is built on the belief that every child can learn to read when teachers think like readers who are curious, reflective, and responsive to every learner.
This is a key text for undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary education and a practical resource for all K-5 teachers committed to strengthening reading instruction.