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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » Joining a Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading

Joining a Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading

1 rating: 5.0

A book by Roberta Alexander.

A contemporary thematic reader, Joining a Community of Readers offers a holistic approach to developing reading skills and building schema. Joining a Community of Readers maintains a constant focus on key skills while providing ample practice with shorter … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Cafe Libri

Author: Roberta Alexander

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

1 review about Joining a Community of Readers: A Thematic...

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A Learning Treatise on How to Improve Outcomes Throughout School Years

Feb 11, 2011

by JSMaresca
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

Joining a Community of Readers
By: Roberta Alexander Wadsworth Cengage Learning 2011

Reviewed By: Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

This is a wonderful book on the basic methodology for critical reading.
The author begins by instructing students on how to study by
assessing the contents of the book, organizing time, deep concentration
and previewing what you read. Another important step is to connect
the writer's presentation with what you know already. Make an
assessment as to whether or not you agree with the author.

Reading improves vocabulary- particularly for reading literature at
a grade appropriate level . Personally, I find that researching the
advanced vocabulary first is most helpful. How can anyone read
a book without understanding the vocabulary ? Books containing
highly specialized vocabulary require even more advanced preparation.

A good author will define advanced vocabulary at the end of the book
so that readers will not be required to consult the dictionary throughout.
The same is true for advanced vocabulary used in trades, professions
or highly technical research.

The author spends some time defining that the topic is what the
paragraph is about; whereas, the main idea is the overall point
the author wishes to make about the topic. Another important
point is to realize that details support the overall position
of the author or at least they should do so.

The end of the book has an extensive section on graphical analysis.
The author carefully explains how to interpret pie graphs, bar graphs
and tabular formats.

Lastly, the author reviews test taking techniques utilized in
objective questions and essays. Qualifying words; such as,
most, some, all, none or few are often employed on exams.

Essay formats may require students to discuss, define, compare,
contrast, refer to causality, analyze, summarize or
make evaluations, holistic impressions or assessments.

The overall presentation is excellent for students in high school
or college. The price is reasonable. Every student should have
either this book or one like it in order to read and write critically.
The rules set forth in this book apply to foreign language
reading and writing as well.