From Phonics to Fluency: Effective Teaching of Decoding and Reading Fluency in the Elementary School

Timothy V. Rasinski and Nancy D. Padak

Aspiring and veteran teachers alike get a practical, workable, fresh approach to word study that students find authentic, engaging, and enjoyable–from two of today’s most respected literacy educators.

This best-selling guide presents a unique approach to word recognition instruction that focuses on two key issues: engaging and authentic word study, and effective fluency instruction. The practical, workable, engaging approaches to word study that the authors share are based on solid literacy theory, reading research, and actual classroom practices. In this edition, icons spotlight technology and research-based strategies that help lead teachers to many helpful resources.

With this book as a guide, teachers help put students on their way to improved word recognition, more fluent reading, and better reading comprehension–all in a manner that nurtures students’ lifelong fascination with words and reading.

"Full of practical advice and even the newest teacher will be able to implement a thoughtful, sensible, and engaging reading program."

- Judy Mazur, 5^th Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Elementary School, Walnut Creek, CA

"Dr. Rasinski and Dr. Padak know the hearts and minds of today’s classroom teachers because they do something few reading researchers do—they still work with children."

- Tracy Hendrix, Academic Coach, Carnesville Elementary School, Carnesville, GA

Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a Professor of Education in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy education. His major interests include working with children who find reading difficult, phonics and reading fluency instruction, and teacher development in literacy education. He has published over 100 articles and 10 books on various aspects of reading education. Dr. Rasinski is past editor of The Reading Teacher and is currently an editor for the Journal of Literacy Research. He has served as president of the College Reading Association and he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association. He earned bachelor degrees in economics and education at the University of Akron and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His master's degree in special education also comes from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Rasinski was awarded the Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Nancy Padak was a Distinguished Professor of Education at Kent State University where she directed the Reading and Writing Center and taught graduate courses in literacy education. She received the honor of Kent State University Distinguished Professor. She was a part of the team that wrote the initial grant to fund the state literacy resource center at Kent State University-Ohio Literacy Resource Center (OLRC) and has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher and K-12 administrator in a large urban school district. She frequently works with teachers and has written or edited a dozen books and more than 100 scholarly articles. Nancy is a past College Reading Association President and a former Editor of The Reading Teacher and the Journal of Literacy Research.

Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a Professor of Education in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Curriculum Studies. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy education. His major interests include working with children who find reading difficult, phonics and reading fluency instruction, and teacher development in literacy education. He has published over 100 articles and 10 books on various aspects of reading education. Dr. Rasinski is past editor of The Reading Teacher and is currently an editor for the Journal of Literacy Research. He has served as president of the College Reading Association and he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association. He earned bachelor degrees in economics and education at the University of Akron and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His master's degree in special education also comes from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Rasinski was awarded the Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Nancy Padak was a Distinguished Professor of Education at Kent State University where she directed the Reading and Writing Center and taught graduate courses in literacy education. She received the honor of Kent State University Distinguished Professor. She was a part of the team that wrote the initial grant to fund the state literacy resource center at Kent State University-Ohio Literacy Resource Center (OLRC) and has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher and K-12 administrator in a large urban school district. She frequently works with teachers and has written or edited a dozen books and more than 100 scholarly articles. Nancy is a past College Reading Association President and a former Editor of The Reading Teacher and the Journal of Literacy Research.