New Series From Authors of Respected Words Their WayTM
BOSTON - October 6, 2008 - English language learners make up just over 10 percent of the U.S. student population, and approximately 79 percent of those are from Spanish language backgrounds.
To help teachers connect more effectively with this growing population, a new series of books from Pearson Allyn & Bacon/Merrill Professional Development based on the highly regarded Words Their WayTM text, and written by the same authors, provides strategic assistance for educators working specifically with native Spanish speakers.
Words Their WayTM With English Learners, a ground-breaking text in word study originally published in 2006, was created to help teachers build vocabulary, spelling, and word recognition skills for English language learners (ELL), giving them the foundation to master their new language. The cornerstone of this approach is the examination of the word knowledge students bring with them to the classroom, and the building of language and literacy competence on that foundation.
The first two books in the new series, Words Their WayTM: Emergent Sorts for Spanish-Speaking English Learners and Words Their WayTM: Letter-Name Alphabetic Sorts for Spanish-Speaking English Learners, feature concept and picture sorts that develop background knowledge, connect with what Spanish speakers already know, and engage them in developmentally appropriate word sorting activities. This process helps students recognize and understand how English words work.
Each text prescribes instructional routines for introducing English vocabulary and word study. Words chosen for the sorting activities were selected for their spelling patterns and usefulness in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding grade level content. Included are notes for teachers, standardized weekly routines, literature connections, assessments, and reproducible word cards and picture cards.
The new texts include sorts appropriate for all emergent learners including older students who are just learning English.
"Words Their WayTM With English Learners was created to fill the gap in the educational marketplace for research-based, curricular materials that support English learners' literacy development," said Linda Bishop, Executive Editor, Pearson Allyn & Bacon/Merrill Professional Development. "Our new series takes the proven methodology behind the Words Their WayTMword study approach and focuses it on Spanish-speaking English learners across all grade levels."
About The Authors
Donald R. Bear is director of the E. L. Cord Foundation Center for Learning and Literacy in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. A former preschool, third, and fourth grade teacher, Bear's research includes the study of literacy development in different languages and the influence of first language and literacy knowledge in learning to read in another language.
Lori Helman Lori Helman is Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research focuses on the reading and spelling development of students learning English as a new language. Helman was a bilingual teacher, a district literacy coordinator, and a new teacher leader in her region before coming to higher education.
Shane Templeton is Foundation Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he is Program Coordinator for Literacy Studies. He has written several books on the teaching and learning of reading and language arts and is a member of the Usage Panel of the American Heritage Dictionary. He is author of the "Spelling Logics" column in Voices from the Middle, the middle school journal of the National Council of Teachers of English.
Marcia Invernizzi is a professor of reading education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, and director of the McGuffey Reading Center. Formerly an English and reading teacher, she works with Book Buddies, Virginia's Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI), and Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS).
Francine Johnston is a former first grade teacher and reading specialist who learned about word study during her graduate work at the University of Virginia. She is now an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she teaches courses in reading, language arts, and children's literature.
About Allyn & Bacon/Merrill Professional Development
With a strong history in education publishing and a broad understanding of the education climate, Allyn & Bacon/Merrill Professional Development (ABM) provides the books that effectively blend academic research and practical application for today's K-12 educators. Our professional line of resources includes the latest in literacy, English language acquisition, early childhood education, classroom management, leadership, special education, alternative certification, and more. With an emphasis on research-based teacher education options, these resources incorporate the tenets of new legislation and cater to the changing needs of today's education professionals. While ABM's products are diverse, our philosophy is simple: to develop high quality references that will help teachers grow professionally throughout their career.
About Pearson
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com.
