Promoting Literacy Throughout the
State of Missouri
Journal of the
Missouri Literacy Association
Co-Editor
Sam Bommarito, Ed.D.
Jennings Schools (retired)
Volume 42, Issue 2
Spring 2019
Co-Editor
Glenda Nugent M.Ed.
Little Rock Schools (retired)
Contents
And Beyond!
Click on any page number/article to go to that article. Use the back arrow on the bottom of each page to return to the table of contents.
The Missouri Reader
Vol. 42, Issue 2
Editorial Board 2018-2019
Ann Powell-Brown, Ph.D.
University of Central Missouri
Carolyn I. Brown, Ph.D. Webster University
Julie Bryant, Ed.D. Southwest Baptist University
Dawna Buchanan, Ph.D.
University of Central Missouri
Angela Danley, Ed.D.
University of Central Missouri
Lauren Edmondson, Ed.D.
Drury University
Jennifer Fox, Ed.D.
Southwest Baptist University
Diana Houlle
Harmony Elementary School
Blue Valley School District
Annemarie Jay, Ph.D
Widener University
William Kerns, Ph.D.
Harris Stowe State University
Dianne Koehnecke, Ed. D. Webster University
Anita Lael, Ed.D
Lincoln University
Kayla Lewis, Ph. D.
Missouri State University
Denise Mounts Ed.D.
University of Arkansas
Molly Ness, M.Ed.
Fordham University
Katherine O'Daniels, Ph.D. University of MO-St. Louis
Lara Nugent, M.Ed.
University of Missouri
Cynthia Hail Wilson, Ph.D. Missouri State University
Many thanks to these reviewers! We invite you to become a member of the Editorial Board by contacting Glenda Nugent.
The Missouri Reader is a peer-reviewed online journal that is published twice a year by the Missouri Literacy Association, an affiliate of the International Literacy Association, as a thoughtful forum for the consideration of issues, practices, research, and ideas in the field of literacy. Its contents do not reflect or imply endorsement by the Missouri Literacy Association or the International Literacy Assicuatuib Association.
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p. 52
SPECIAL SECTION: Poetry, a Path to Literacy
Poetry, The Game Changer-David Harrison
Missouri poet David Harrison’s feature article reinforces poetry’s
effectiveness as a teaching tool as established by research and
experience.
How Songs and Poems Help Your Children Learn To Read!-Eric Litwin
Children’s author Eric Litwin shares his favorite connections
between songs, poems, and learning to read. And they are FUN!
Poetry Across the Curriculum:
An Approach for Learning Vocabulary and Content-Mary Jo Fresch
Engage your students and make lasting memories by pulling poetry
into your content areas with these ideas!
Today, Choose Joy: Joyfulness in Fluent Reading
Melissa Cheesman Smith
discusses the relationship between joy and fluency in reading.
Literacy is a Family Affair: Introducing a Love for Poetry-
William Kerns and Betty Porter Walls
The authors of this article, teacher educators who have joined preservice teachers and parents in shared literacy experiences with children that include read-aloud of poetry and prose, share ideas that involve the community.
Nine Reasons Why I Like Poetry (and Song) for Teaching Reading
Timothy Rasinski
(SIDEBAR: WORD LADDER) Well-known literacy expert,
Timothy Rasinski, shares several reasons why poetry should be at
the heart of instruction for younger and struggling readers.
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p 54
Keys to Reading Success-Jamie Bendorf
Read about strategies at home and a positive attitude toward reading that are two key contributing factors to reading success.