Why is preparation so critical for reading teachers? Because research tells us that it's the teacher who makes the difference in effective reading instruction. Capable literacy teachers think about their teaching decisions, and they understand and meet the needs of individual students. The new edition of The Essentials of Teaching Children to Read: The Teacher Makes the Difference emphasizes the teacher's role in literacy development, pointing out the five pillars of effective reading instruction-teacher knowledge, assessment, effective practice, differentiated instruction and family/home connections. Chapters on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, assessment, and programs and standards are organized around these pillars for a concise look at the teacher's role in the most important aspects of literacy education. New to this edition...Teacher Knowledge * Presents all the background knowledge, research, and foundational information you need to recognize evidence-based instruction Assessment * Offers full sections in each chapter that look specifically at the ways evaluation and assessment drive instruction * Chapter sections built to a complete chapter on assessing student needs. Effective Practice * Provides practical strategies that explain how to sequence instruction to develop critical literacy skills and strategies Differentiated Instruction * Points out ways to differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students, adapting your instruction to help every student succeed in literacy * FeaturesGetting to Know English Learners provide research-based applications to help you meet the needs of students whose first language is not English Family/Home Connections * Explains how teachers can connect with parents to keep them informed about their children's learning and provides suggestions to guide parents in helping their children become successful readers and writers.