Answering the call for a comprehensive textbook on what reading teachers really need to know, this is the book that arms educators with not just the what and the how, but also the why that other texts don't cover. Two prominent literacy experts team with an elementary school specialist to give preservice teachers an easy-to-understand textbook that demystifies the research and incorporates everyday classroom experience. With its meticulous coverage of every aspect of effective reading instruction, this book ensures that general educators across grade levels: (1) learn techniques for teaching all the literacy skills identified by Reading First; (2) get the clearest explanations available of the scientifically based research behind the strategies; (3) fully understand how and when literacy skills are acquired and what factors influence the process; (4) discover the best ways to teach students with learning disabilities, reading disabilities, and dyslexia; (5) get ready to conduct effective assessment of students' reading skills; and (6) find out how to use the latest instructional technology to help advance students' literacy. With its practical, research-based answers to the three most important questions literacy educators face--what to teach, how to teach, and why to teach the recommended way--this upper-level textbook will make sure teachers enter the classroom ready and motivated to implement best practices. Contents of this book include: (1) Introduction to Literacy Skills and Their Acquisition; (2) The Psychology of Reading and the History of Literacy Instruction in the United States; (3) The Psycholinguistics of Spoken Language; (4) The Psycholinguistics of Written Language; (5) Development of Spoken and Written Language Skills; (6) Developing Basic Literacy Skills; (7) Strategies for Developing Decoding, Instant Word Reading, and Spelling Skills; (8) Strategies for Developing Vocabulary Knowledge, Comprehension Skills, and Writing Skills; (9) Reading Disability and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; and (10) Testing and Assessment of Literacy Skills. References, Appendices, Author Index, and Subject Index are included.