This book shows elementary school teachers how to help students become confident readers and writers who can use skills they acquire throughout their lives, from a constructivist orientation. It is intended as a main text for an introductory course on elementary-school reading instruction, typically taken by undergraduates in their second or third year. Constructivism, whole language, literature-based instruction, process writing, emergent literacy, and flexible grouping are the concepts and approaches central to the book. Chapters in the book are: (1) Literacy, Reading, Writing, and Instruction; (2) Emergent Literacy and Beginning Instruction; (3) Reading and Writing in Response to Literature; (4) Reading Comprehension of Nonfiction and Report Writing; (5) Vocabulary Development; (6) Classroom Organization and Management; (7) Assessing Progress and Evaluating Instruction; (8) Fostering Independence and a Love of Reading; and (9) Teaching Students with Special Needs. (RS)