The Reading Tutor's Handbook: A Commonsense Guide to Helping Students Read and Write : Book Review

"The Reading Tutor's Handbook" by Jeanne Shay Schumm is an incredibly useful guide packed with valuable insights and strategies for individuals aspiring to become reading tutors. Drawing on her extensive experience as a teacher and researcher, Schumm offers practical advice on how to help struggling readers enhance their skills.

The book covers a wide array of topics, beginning with an overview of the role of a reading tutor and the essential principles of effective tutoring. Schumm emphasizes the significance of establishing strong relationships with students and creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Additionally, she provides guidance on assessing the reading abilities of students and developing personalized instruction plans to address their specific needs.

One of the book's notable features is its emphasis on evidence-based tutoring practices. Schumm explores various strategies and activities that have been proven to be effective in improving reading abilities, drawing from research in the field. Furthermore, she addresses common challenges that tutors may face, such as working with students who have learning disabilities or are English language learners.

Schumm's writing style is clear and accessible, making the book suitable for both novice tutors and experienced educators seeking to enhance their tutoring skills. The book's organization follows a logical structure, with each chapter building upon the previous ones. This design allows readers to easily navigate through the book and find specific information as needed.

Overall, "The Reading Tutor's Handbook" serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in becoming a reading tutor or looking to improve their tutoring skills. Schumm's expertise and practical advice make this book a must-read for educators and tutors alike who aim to make a positive impact on the lives of struggling readers.

What are readers saying?

"The Reading Tutor's Handbook" by Jeanne Shay Schumm has received mixed reviews. While some readers found the book informative and helpful in their tutoring journey, others felt that it lacked practical advice and was too academic.

Many positive reviews praised the book for its comprehensive coverage of reading strategies and instructional techniques. Readers found the information on diagnosing reading difficulties and designing interventions particularly valuable. They appreciated the book's emphasis on evidence-based practices and clear explanations of complex concepts. Overall, these readers felt that the book provided a strong foundation in tutoring and improved their effectiveness in supporting struggling readers.

However, there were negative reviews criticizing the book for its lack of practical application. Some readers felt the content was too theoretical and did not offer enough step-by-step guidance for implementing strategies in real-life tutoring sessions. They were disappointed by the absence of concrete examples and felt the book was more suitable for academic study than practical use. These readers desired more hands-on advice and specific techniques to apply in their tutoring sessions.

In addition, a few reviewers noted that the book seemed outdated in terms of its references and examples. They felt it would benefit from more current research and real-life scenarios to make it more relevant and engaging. These readers also pointed out that the writing style was often dry and technical, making it challenging to stay engaged with the material.

Overall, "The Reading Tutor's Handbook" received a mix of positive and negative feedback. While some found it a valuable resource for understanding the theoretical aspects of tutoring, others were disappointed by the lack of practical guidance and current examples. If you are seeking a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of tutoring strategies, this book may be worth considering. However, if you prefer a more practical and engaging approach, you may want to explore other options.

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