• Elementary Reading: Strategies That Work is designed to help both experienced and novice teachers plan activities for reading skill and strategy practice. The skills and strategies considered in this text are clustered into four sections: Word Identification, Comprehension, Study Skills, and Attitude and Language. Each of the fifteen chapters follows a similar format. First, the ability considered in a chapter is defined and followed by reasons why students may need practice with it. This is then followed by advice for instruction. The authors recognize that each reading teacher has his or her own teaching styles, and they have purposely designed their activities to be as diverse and eclectic as possible, appropriate for both literature-based and basal programs. However, their approach does emphasize one common goal: student-centered instruction.

Elementary Reading: Strategies That Work is concerned with increasing the enjoyment of students during reading instruction, perpetuating the reading habit, and increasing students' self-esteem. In seeking to work with students holistically, successful reading teachers combine their expertise and enthusiasm with their students' needs and interests. This text helps to facilitate instructors in this goal by serving as a resource and guide for student-centered reading instruction, employing either literature and/or basal program.