Suggesting the need for balanced reading and writing instruction, this book is a compendium of many of the best teaching ideas presently available to reading professionals. The first part of the book addresses the research and practice related to understanding and supporting literacy development, and the second part "puts it all together." Chapters in the book are: (1) Reading Instruction: Making the Transition to a Balanced Perspective; (2) Understanding Reading: The Theoretical Roots of Instruction; (3) Emergent Literacy: Understanding the Literacy Development of Young Children; (4) Basal Readers: Determining How To Use Basals Effectively; (5) From Basals to Books: Making the Transition; (6) Reading Comprehension: Focusing on Instruction; (7) Acquiring Vocabulary: Words for Reading and Writing; (8) Decoding Skills: Identifying Words in Print; (9) Literacy Environments: Designing Classrooms That Promote Literacy; (10) Assessment: Determining Students' Progress in Literacy; (11) The Early Years: Reading and Writing in Grades K-2; (12) The Elementary Years: Reading and Writing in Grades 3-5; and (13) Middle School: Reading and Writing in Grades 6-8. Appendixes contain a list of balanced literacy resources for teachers; selected resources for teachers; milestones for literacy learning in grades K-3; and a blank miscue grid. (RS)