CM March 1, 1996. Vol. II, Number 20

image Reading, Writing and Language
(Second Edition).

Robert and Marlene McCracken.
Winnipeg: Peguis Publishers, 1995. 295pp, paper, $17.00.
ISBN: 1-895411-70-X.

Subject Headings:
Language arts (Primary).
English language-Study and teaching (Primary).

Professional: K - 3.
Review by Gail Lennon.

***/4

image The McCrackens have used the ten years of experience they have gained since the appearance of the first edition of this book to update its ideas and materials and add examples of new work from students.

The authors have included an invaluable thematic chapter, a thorough bibliography of children's books, and a brief but good bibliography of professional readings.

Marlene and Robert McCracken are eminently qualified to write about the reading and writing process. Since 1950, they have worked as a consulting team throughout North America and Europe. They have been instrumental in instituting holistic teaching programs that integrate thinking, concept development, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Their names are synonymous with the Whole Language approach.

image

Like the first edition of Reading, Writing and Language, this updated volume should be a text for every graduate and undergraduate primary education and reading/language course. It is a "must have" for every primary educator.

Through well-chosen examples and well-developed text, the authors deal with questions concerning early language acquisition, teaching, and learning within the primary classroom day.

My only reservations about this excellent book are that the type is a little small and the binding would have been more practical if it had been loose-leaf notebook style.

Highly recommended.

Gail Lennon is a secondary resource teacher with the Bruce County Board of Education. In her thirty years of teaching in both rural and urban settings, she has taught every grade from JK to Adult Education in elementary, secondary, and university academic locations. She has specialist qualifications in Library, ESL, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Special Education. Ms. Lennon is a keynote speaker, author, and workshop leader who has reviewed for CM for the past seven years.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cmeditor@mts.net.

Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

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