ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the elements of an effective reading lesson. It examines how to move students into deeper reading comprehension, and offers suggestions to help our students work through the “hard parts.” The book suggests where and when prereading strategies are most necessary and presents effective strategies to help prepare students for difficult reading. A careful initial reading of the text is foundational to achieving deeper reading. The book also explores how comprehension is elevated by talk. Moving students beyond surface-level understanding and into deeper levels of reflection is a challenge facing all teachers of adolescents. The book addresses the following questions: How does the deeper reading of text help students to critically read the world? Which strategies are most effective in helping students develop lifelong critical reading skills?
