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Hornbooks
Hornbooks were created to teach children in the 17th and 18th centuries basic reading and prayer. It begins with the symbol of the cross, followed by letters of the alphabet, vowel and letter combinations, and ends with the Lord's Prayer. Once that is mastered, the child would move onto another hornbook. -
Louise Rosenblatt: Reader-Response Theory
Louise Rosenblatt first introduced her Reader-Response Theory in 1938 in her publication of "Literature as Exploration." This theory identifies the significant role of the reader in creating textual meaning. She argued that the meaning in reading comes from the interaction between the reader and the text. She also argued that there was a difference between efferent reading (extracting information) and aesthetic reading (personal/emotional response). -
Kenneth Goodman: Whole Language Theory
Kenneth Goodman introduced his Whole Language Theory in the 1960s. This theory argued that children should be allowed to acquire the skills of reading and writing the same way that they naturally acquire spoken language skills. This also argued that children will learn to read and write best if they are exposed to the relationship between the texts and their lives. -
The National Reading Panel
The National Reading Panel was formed to find the best way to teach literacy to children; they reviewed research and found that a combination of techniques is effective for teaching children to read. This includes phonemic awareness, phonic, fluency, guided oral reading, teaching vocabulary words, and reading comprehension strategies -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was passed in the United States by President George W. Bush to improve public education. This act placed a strong emphasis on reading proficiency, accountability, and annual assessments. It required states to test students in reading to ensure that all students reach grade-level literacy skills by a set date. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed by President Obama to replace the No Child Left Behind Act from 2002. This act was signed to help ensure success for students and schools. It required that all students in American be taught to higher standards to prepare them to succeed and requires that every state measure performances in reading/literacy, math, and science.