New Book Provides Logical Answers To The Literacy Crisis And Students' Questions About English
Online, April 11, 2011 (Newswire.com) - In "Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis," author Denise Eide demonstrates why many of the nation's brightest math and science students struggle with reading and spelling. These logically minded students need to be taught systematically and taught the consistent rules which govern the complex code of English, rather than told it is a language of exceptions. Before the U.S. can become more competitive in math and science, we must address the reality that according to the Nation's Report Card 68% of eighth graders read below grade level. Sadly, many of these students are naturally gifted at math and science and struggle with the seemingly illogical nature of the English language.
Longitudinal studies conducted by the NICHD reveal that systematic and explicit instruction dramatically improves students' ability to read. With as little 35 hours of instruction one study showed a class moving from 46% of the class testing below the 30th percentile to only 7%. These results are also seen in Functional MRI studies of reading performed by Dr. Reid Lyon, Distinguished Professor of Education Policy and Leadership Southern Methodist University & Distinguished Scientist in Cognition and Neuroscience Center for Brain Health University of Texas, Dallas. fMRI scans of the brains of struggling readers reveal different neurological patterns than those of strong readers. Struggling readers appear to rely on the right frontal lobe, whereas strong readers rely on the language centers in the back left side of the brain. What is remarkable is that with as little as 80 hours of systematic and explicit reading and spelling instruction, students make dramatic improvements in reading and their brain's are rewired to look like those of a strong reader.
In order to solve the educational crisis, the United States needs to begin in elementary school and ensure that all students learn to read by third grade. In order to accomplish this task parents, teachers, and the culture at large must let go of the widely held myth that English is illogical and full of exceptions.
In one slim volume, "Uncovering the Logic of English" presents the rules and phonograms which describe 98% of English words and demonstrates how this knowledge revolutionizes reading, spelling, and vocabulary development. Simple answers are given for questions such as: Why is there a silent final E in "have"? Why don't we drop the E in "courageous"? Why does C say both /k/ and /s/ in the word "accent"? Why is "progression" spelled with -sion rather than -tion? As the rules unfold it becomes apparent how this knowledge is vital to reversing the educational crisis that is plaguing America and why it should be as foundational to education as learning 1+1=2.
"Uncovering the Logic of English" has been endorsed by Temple Grandin as "really helpful for teaching reading to children who are mathematical and pattern thinkers," and by Dr. Reid Lyon as "gem of a book... that is a very useful for teachers, parents and anyone interested in bringing the joy of reading to our nation's children."
"Uncovering the Logic of English" is published by Pedia Learning Inc and is available for purchase in trade paper back and ebook formats. Books are available for purchase on Amazon, the iBook store, and at www.LogicOfEnglish.com.