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Rigorous Reading: 5 Access Points for Comprehending Complex Texts (Corwin Literacy) 1st Edition
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What it really means to "read closely"
Call it close reading, call it deep reading, call it analytic reading―call it what you like. The point is, it’s a level of understanding that students of any age can achieve with the right kind of instruction. In Rigorous Reading, Nancy Frey and Doug Fisher articulate an instructional plan so clearly, and so squarely built on research, that teachers, schools, and districts need look no further:
- Purpose & Modeling
- Close & Scaffolded Reading Instruction
- Collaborative Conversations
- An Independent Reading Staircase
- Performance
- ISBN-109781452268132
- ISBN-13978-1452268132
- Edition1st
- PublisherCorwin
- Publication dateOctober 15, 2013
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions7.38 x 0.58 x 9.13 inches
- Print length256 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
-- Kylene Beers, Ed.D.
"With Rigorous Reading Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey have provided literacy educators who are committed to successfully raising the bar with solutions that make sense. The book is masterfully developed with an extensive reach across many grade levels in terms of defining what it means to provide intentional instruction and teaching text complexity. The five access points are discussed pragmatically with evidence of a solid research base deftly woven throughout the book. This is the most practical book I have come across in terms of providing teachers with the knowledge base and assistance many are seeking to improve their instruction with regard to complex texts." -- Steven L. Layne, Ed.D., Professor of Literacy Education
"In Rigorous Reading: 5 Access Points for Helping Students Comprehend Complex Texts, Fisher and Frey help teachers understand how to bring vigor to rigor. They teach us how to help students understand more from their complex texts -- greater understanding that will help to bring life and energy to each student′s reading. Rooted in solid research, this is book is a must-read for those grappling with how to translate the recommendations and mandates around text complexity from the Common Core into instructional practices."
-- Jennifer Serravallo author of Teaching Reading in Small Groups and Conferring with Readers
"In a time when nearly every state has adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), we need resources that show us how to support students in developing their full literacy potential. In this very practical and insightful book, Fisher and Frey examine how CCSS conceptions of text complexity are causing us to shift some of our ideas about reading instruction. Rigorous Reading is an important resource that will help teachers align reading instruction with the CCSS in powerful ways." -- Linda B. Gambrell, Professor
"This is a bold book. . . . Its genius, and its unique contribution, is in bringing the balance and the centeredness to this new game in town―the Common Core." -- P. David Pearson, Professor of the Graduate School of Education
About the Author
Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning, Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers, and RIGOR Unveiled:A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.
Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed English teacher and administrator in California. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook 2/e, Your Introduction to PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Teacher Credibility, The Teaching Reading Playbook, and Welcome to Teaching!.
Product details
- ASIN : 1452268134
- Publisher : Corwin
- Publication date : October 15, 2013
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- Print length : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781452268132
- ISBN-13 : 978-1452268132
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.38 x 0.58 x 9.13 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #183,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #96 in Language Experience Approach to Teaching
- #374 in Language Arts Teaching Materials
- #1,820 in Encyclopedias & Subject Guides
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
I am a professor of literacy in Educational Leadership at San Diego State University. I believe it's critical to be a deeply embedded in the life of a school, so I am also a teacher-leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego. I get to learn every day from amazing teachers, administrators, students, and families!
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I am a Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University (www.sdsu.edu) and a teacher-leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. (www.hshsmc.org). I focus my work on improving students' learning and impacting professional learning communities. I write to clarify my own thinking and to share what I have learned from my experiences with teachers and educators around the world.
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Thank you for visiting my page. Be sure to "Follow" my author page for important updates. And thank you for your reviews!
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this literacy book useful for teachers of all content areas, explaining the importance of complex texts and providing enough practical information. They appreciate the video content, with one customer noting that the QR video footage provides immediate clarity.
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Customers appreciate the book's focus on effective reading instruction and its explanation of the importance of complex texts, making it a must-read for teachers in all content areas.
"I bought this for a Master’s Class in education. It has great, useful information that I can apply in my classroom." Read more
"...Rigorous Reading has enough practical information to satisfy the individual classroom teacher looking for fresh ideas, enough depth and breadth to..." Read more
"...I wish I had this text 2 years ago! The power of teacher proficiency, increased student thinking and deep connection to complex text is embodied in..." Read more
"...reading, complex texts, collaborative conversations, and scaffolding reading instruction to achieve a more thoughtful and analytic approach to the..." Read more
Customers appreciate the video content in the book, with one mentioning that the learning guide includes video links and another noting that QR codes provide immediate clarity.
"...stand out is the support for professional development--summary charts, videos, and a professional learning guide in the back that can be used by..." Read more
"...The QR video footage provides immediate clarity on the how these practices look in action. This is a book focused on the how and the why...." Read more
"...Love the video clips sited in the book and accessible on the web!" Read more
"...Clearly written with great video support. I would recommend this for the individual teacher or perfect for school wide professional development!" Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024I bought this for a Master’s Class in education. It has great, useful information that I can apply in my classroom.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2013When my copy of Frey and Fisher's Rigorous Reading was delivered to my doorstep, I couldn't wait to dig in to the content. In fact, I was looking forward to a "rigorous read" of this latest book from two of my favorite authors. It did not disappoint. My copy is already tattered and loaded with sticky notes and notations I plan to refer back to and share. Rigorous Reading explains the "why" close reading is important while maintaining a practical, useful, and realistic stance.
Rigorous Reading has enough practical information to satisfy the individual classroom teacher looking for fresh ideas, enough depth and breadth to be useful for teachers of all content areas, and a set of professional development modules which will assist reading leaders of all kinds in guiding teams, departments, and school districts toward strong reading growth in all students.
Educators are currently facing a new set of standards and expectations for students of all levels. The phrase 'close reading' is a term currently heard tossed about in instructional circles nationwide, but it can bring with it confusion and misunderstanding. No longer can the teaching of analytical reading skills wait until the upper grades or high level English courses. As the authors point out, 'close reading' should not be a concept exclusively taught by English teachers, nor is this deep and analytical reading merely about personal, emotional responses to the text. Complex texts abound across all curriculum areas. "If students are going to access complex texts, they must be given the time to read and reread, to respond to questions that encourage them to return to the text and to discuss their ideas in the company of others" (p 15).
Frey and Fisher successfully provide access points to assist teachers of all levels in modeling, teaching, scaffolding, and assessing of close reading.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2014This has helped me get a handle on exactly what it means to be a "Common Core" teacher. It answers many questions that, despite all the exhausting professional development days, I still needed answered and a firm grasp of understanding what changes I need to make in my lesson planning for next year.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2013Practical. Powerful. Professional.
Dr. Frey and Dr. Fisher come together once again and produce, what I believe, to be their most practical, powerful, professional development "manual" yet. It is centered around the need to increase literacy skills through the Gradual Release of Responsibility, student centered literacy instruction and student data discussions; knowing what the students will need to successfully navigate complex text. The content is well-timed and vital to literacy success in our schools. The imbedded QR codes make the text come to life and provide exemplar models for the reader. A hidden gem is in the back of the book which provides the much needed scaffolding for improved in-house professional development. The modeling of strong instructional literacy practices alongside the language of the CCSS is highly important and very timely. I wish I had this text 2 years ago! The power of teacher proficiency, increased student thinking and deep connection to complex text is embodied in this newest publication. It is a MUST have and a must read for literacy administrators, literacy coaches and curriculum and instruction personel. I believe you will want to share it with your colleagues, I know I will!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2013Frey and Fisher have provided a must-read addition to any teacher or district coordinator's library who is or will be implementing the CCSS. This very readable and practical book walks teachers through the cornerstones of close reading, complex texts, collaborative conversations, and scaffolding reading instruction to achieve a more thoughtful and analytic approach to the reading of literature and informational texts. What makes this book stand out is the support for professional development--summary charts, videos, and a professional learning guide in the back that can be used by principals or grade-level team leaders to introduce, practice, and refine the concepts and strategies in each section of the book. The learning guide contains video links and powerpoint slides to make the prep work easy for administrators. I highly recommend this book for all teachers, principals, and district reading coordinators. Thank you Frey and Fisher for another great addition to the field!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2013The information Frey and Fisher share in Rigorous Reading prompts thoughtful conversations that help teachers take immediate action in their classrooms. It helps refine our thinking about the Common Core and, more importantly, our teaching. The QR video footage provides immediate clarity on the how these practices look in action. This is a book focused on the how and the why. Fisher and Frey unlock how to work with complex texts. They identify the experiences and teaching students need in order to do this well and name how teachers can support them in this task. At the end of the book, there is a Professional Learning Guide to help literacy coaches, administrators, and others involved in professional development facilitate professional conversations about the five access points to complex texts. You will be glad to have this book by your side.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2017Does not do the job I want. Kids are reluctant readers because of technology and easy access to a constant stream of entertainment. This book has a few ideas for rigorous reading, but nothing I haven't read about before.