Timeline of Reading Instruction
Running head: A TIMELINE OF READING
A Timeline of Reading Instruction
Grand Canyon University
RDG 509
November 9, 2009
Abstract
Reading instruction has undergone many changes since the first colonists settled in America. Hornbooks and battledores morphed into primers and basal readers. Religion played an important part throughout the first half of the history of reading instruction in America. Books grew into stories that were enjoyable instead of remedial. The alphabet played a significant role, as did pictures, when teaching reading. The debates of whole language and phonics has spanned the centuries, leaving no distinct decision. The researcher examined the trends from the 1600s to the present and identified the type of reading instruction she had during first grade.
A Timeline of Reading Instruction Since the beginning of recorded history, scholars and educators knew that reading was important. For the past four centuries, reading instruction has been the core of learning. Learning to read was essential for students since, if they were unable to read, they did not have exposure to the writings of the great thinkers of Greece and Rome. Without that exposure, the newest of the great thinkers would have been unable to pass down their philosophical thoughts and teachings to the next generations of readers, and learning, for any subject, would be dead. Various methods have been researched and taught, from the alphabet and spelling to phonics and whole language. How to teach reading has had its many challenges and controversies, and numerous studies have been conducted to determine what the best and most effective strategy is for teaching reading. Beginning in the seventeenth century, reading instruction consisted of "having the child start with a mastery of letters, then of syllables, and finally of words and sentences" (Matthews, 1976, p. 27). Massachusetts colony "passed the earliest law on reading in 1642, requiring all parents and masters of
A Timeline of Reading Instruction
Grand Canyon University
RDG 509
November 9, 2009
Abstract
Reading instruction has undergone many changes since the first colonists settled in America. Hornbooks and battledores morphed into primers and basal readers. Religion played an important part throughout the first half of the history of reading instruction in America. Books grew into stories that were enjoyable instead of remedial. The alphabet played a significant role, as did pictures, when teaching reading. The debates of whole language and phonics has spanned the centuries, leaving no distinct decision. The researcher examined the trends from the 1600s to the present and identified the type of reading instruction she had during first grade.
A Timeline of Reading Instruction Since the beginning of recorded history, scholars and educators knew that reading was important. For the past four centuries, reading instruction has been the core of learning. Learning to read was essential for students since, if they were unable to read, they did not have exposure to the writings of the great thinkers of Greece and Rome. Without that exposure, the newest of the great thinkers would have been unable to pass down their philosophical thoughts and teachings to the next generations of readers, and learning, for any subject, would be dead. Various methods have been researched and taught, from the alphabet and spelling to phonics and whole language. How to teach reading has had its many challenges and controversies, and numerous studies have been conducted to determine what the best and most effective strategy is for teaching reading. Beginning in the seventeenth century, reading instruction consisted of "having the child start with a mastery of letters, then of syllables, and finally of words and sentences" (Matthews, 1976, p. 27). Massachusetts colony "passed the earliest law on reading in 1642, requiring all parents and masters of
References: Brown, E. (2006, November). History of reading instruction. Retrieved from http://www.thephonicspage.org Dianeohio. (2006, October 26). Hornbooks and battledores. Retrieved from http://theartofthebook. Blogspot.com/search/label/history Guzzetti, B.J. (2002). Literacy in america: an encyclopedia of history, theory and practice. Retrieved from http://books.google.com Mathews, M.M. (1976). Teaching to read, historically considered [Volume 678 of a Phoenix Book]. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov Robinson, H. (1997). Reading and writing instruction in the united states: historical trends. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov Robinson, R. (2005). Readings in reading instruction: its history, theory, and development. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon. Shannon, P, & Crawford, P. (1997). Manufacturing descent: basal readers and the creation of reading failures. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 13(3), 227. Smith, N.B. (2002). American reading instruction. International Reading Association