Title

To Read or Not to Read: A Comprehensive Study of Effective Reading and Methods of Teaching Reading

Publication Date

November 2007

School

School of Education

Major

Integrated Studies: Elementary--Teacher Certification

Primary Subject Area

Education, Reading

Keywords

Education, reading, phonics, whole language

Abstract

The ability to read written language proficiently is an important skill in modern society; however, reading seems to be a lost art in many ways. In order to correct this problem, educators must determine the most effective method for teaching reading to elementary students. The most prominent methods include the whole language method, the phonetic method, and the balanced method. Research on the techniques, advantages, disadvantages, and case studies associated with each method indicates that the most effective method for teaching reading to elementary students is the balanced method.