Simply Read!

About the Book

Reading skills are acquired as we read books, share experiences and engage in talk with children. Feelings, attitudes, beliefs and the climate within the family are all important. Children will pick up the view of reading presented by their first teachers, the family. Family members who know a child and the experiences which have been part of the child’s life are equipped to provide the support their young reader needs. Although it is possible for children to learn to read by reading only at school, most require extra practice. Reading is learned through apprenticeship. Just as you cannot learn to drive a car by reading a book on how to drive a car, you cannot learn to read by reading a book on how to read. The art of reading is gained through guided practice. How do humans learn? The most obvious ways that come to mind are memorizing, experiencing, practicing and listening. In our society, we often think of learning as being the result of formal education. However, much of what we learn happens without conscious awareness and many more subtle factors are involved. The brain builds a pool of knowledge based on experiences encountered from moment to moment. We cannot stop ourselves from learning. However, what is learned may not be what we want to learn or what is being taught. For instance, it is possible that efforts to teach reading might result in some children learning to dislike reading.

About the Author

Vera Goodman’s lifelong commitment to help struggling readers find pleasure and meaning in reading led her to create Reading Wings, a unique coaching program focusing on the experiences and enjoyment that coaches and students share as they learn together. Vera has taken her distinctive coaching style and cutting-edge strategies to a wide variety of audiences. Her vivacious personality and sparkling energy have endeared her to thousands of people who have been influenced by her bestselling first book, Reading is More than Phonics! (now re-published as Simply Read!), or by her dynamic presentations and powerful teaching video, Coaching Young Readers. As a teacher, administrator, conference speaker and workshop facilitator for many years, Vera is recognized as a leading authority in teaching children and adults how to become competent and enthusiastic readers. In her latest book, Simply Write!, she shares inspiring stories, common-sense tips and delightful insights into writing for all ages. Vera’s work was celebrated by Global Television in 2003 when she received the Woman of Vision award for her contributions to literacy. Recently she was honored by Seattle Pacific University, her alma mater, with the Medallion Award for excellence and outstanding service in her field. On graduating from Central Collegiate High School in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, she received the Governor General’s Medal for scholar- ship. She has an MA in language arts from the University of Calgary. Vera has three daughters. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she spends as much time as possible with her three grand-children. One of her hobbies is riding her horse, Missy, in the foothills.