Listening to children read, both at home and at school, has long been regarded as a vital element in the teaching of reading. However, it is a practice which is rarely examined in any detail. This book shows why it is not enough just to 'Hear Readers' and demonstrates how adult interventions should change as children's reading develops through five distinct but overlapping stages.

This book explains the central importance of cues - those providers of the information which a reader uses to solve a problem word - and redefines 'the basics' by identifying the three permanent components of reading - 'Reading The Lines', 'Between The Lines' and 'Beyond the Lines'. The authors outline practical classroom activities to help children develop competence in balancing cues, highlighting the integration of meaning and phonics.

This accessible book will be an invaluable resource for all adults involved in teaching reading. It provides a rationale for good practice and offers practical and adaptable materials which can be used to support initial training, Inset, workshops for classroom helpers, and parent-meetings.