Literacy Links

Success Stories

Welcome to our Library...

HOW DOES THIS MAIL ORDER LENDING LIBRARY WORK?

Books and other resources described in the Library section may be requested for a 30-day loan. We will mail each borrower up to five loan items at a time, and even include a postage-paid return address sticker for mailing them back to us! Borrowers must be affiliated with a non-profit program providing adult or family literacy services. Annotated bibliographies of our entire library of resources are available in hard copy by request, or can be viewed on our website. Call 800-441-7323 or e-mail tcall@tamu.edu to check out materials described here or to request hard copy listings of even more resources.

Success Stories

Adult Literacy NOW! Taylor, Maurice C., Editor (2001). Toronto, Canada: Irwin Publishing. In describing their personal literacy teaching experiences, many chapter authors use the poignant words of individuals who have gone from the depths of abusive situations and overwhelming feelings of inadequacy to belief in them-selves, the value of their own expression and their ability to pursue lifelong learning. Chapters are grouped into four sections: Community-Based Literacy; Workplace Literacy; Family Literacy; and School-Based Literacy. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Exceeding Expectations: Successful Adults with Learning Disabilities. Reiff, Henry B. et al. (1997). Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc. Book includes four sections: A Lifetime of Being Learning Disabled; Creating a Context; A Conceptual Framework of Employment Success; and Implications for Practice. The authors have developed ways to help adults with learning disabilities in the workplace and have incorporated success stories of adults with learning disabilities. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

I Am Your Child. The Reiner Foundation (1997). Beverly Hills, CA: Castle Rock Entertainment. Hosted by Tom Hanks and with many celebrity appearances, this 45-minute video is an in-depth look at what one town did to ensure that its future generations will grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted members of the community. Looking at the critical importance of parenting skills and early childhood development and their impact on society, the residents of Hampton, Virginia developed a program called Hampton Healthy Start. Video presents three case studies from that program: a single, at-risk mother looking for a new start; a family saved from disaster by parenting classes; and a single custodial father who must learn to care for his small daughter.

Life at the Margins: Literacy, Language, and Technology in Everyday Life. Merrifield, Juliet, et al (1997). New York: Teachers College Press. This book deve-lops an understanding of literacy and illiteracy through the engaging life stories of twelve adults from diverse backgrounds living in the United States. In the process of coming to know these adults, we learn that adults with limited literacy skills work hard and long, make limited use of public resources, and do use technology. Hanna Arlene Fingeret, former executive director of Literacy South says: "This book makes statements about racism, about classism, about gender discrimination, and about language discrimination. The examples of courage and spirit are inspiring." Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Literacy and Libraries: Learning From Case Studies. DeCandido, GraceAnne A., Editor (2001). Chicago, IL: American Library Association. Book contains real-life stories of library directors, program administrators, teachers, tutors, librarians, and adult learners whose lives have been changed by literacy programs at libraries. Topics include: the essential role that libraries play in literacy and adult education; meeting the needs of unique communities - whether urban or rural; using technology to revamp the way people learn to read and write; and creating local partnerships to make literacy programs a reality. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Los Padres Hablan: A Parenting Skills Program for Limited English Proficient Parents. Kingsville ISD (1998). Kingsville, TX: Kingsville Independent School District. Curriculum for parents (particularly fathers) who speak mostly Spanish includes eleven lessons: Introduction; Nurturing Self Concept; Recognizing Feelings and Self Esteem; Promoting Self Concept; Listening Effectively; Developing Positive Discipline; Goal Setting; Learning to Make Decisions; Nurturing Responsibility; Strengthening Cooperation Within the Home; and Facilitating Home and School Relations. Ten-minute Spanish-language video segment accompanies each lesson. In a "La Novelita" style, each video session relates an incident in the Quinones family, showing problems the father has in interacting with the children. Viewers are encouraged to identify and discuss problems in each segment, and come up with solutions. Video also includes success stories of families who have benefited from the "Los Padres Hablan" parenting program.

Profiles of Success: Successful Adults Achieving With Learning Disabilities. Silver, Larry B., M.D. (1998). Waltham, MA: Learning Disabilities Association of Massachusetts. In this 31-minute video, a clinical professor of psychiatry a George-town University School of Medicine interviews three young adults with learning disabilities, all of whom overcame their disabilities to achieve success. The learners speak of how they overcame obstacles and chose careers that best used their strengths. Dr. Silver explains learning disabilities and how teachers can help disabled students succeed. Loan Item for Preferred Borrowers ONLY due to cost. Ask us how to become a Preferred Borrower!

So Far: Words from Learners. Bennett, Jean, Jacoma, Richard and Weinstein, Lee (1997). Markham, Ontario, Canada: Fitzhenry and Whiteside. This is a book about struggle and triumph for readers at grade levels 4-5. Each of the eight adults profiled within has overcome profound physical and mental obstacles (from Downs Syndrome and brain injury to cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions) to enjoy a productive, independent lifestyle and connection to family, friends and community. Their stories are told through interviews, first person narrative, and photographs by Ann E. Yow.

Success Stories 2000: The Impact of Adult Education. Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (2000). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. This annually-released publication celebrates the achievements of over 50,000 adult learners enrolled yearly in Pennsylvania adult literacy and basic skills programs. Featured are the stories of nine outstanding adult learners and the programs that assisted them in meeting their goals.

A Success Story. National Center for Family Literacy (1994). Lexington, KY: NCFL. For audiences such as administrators, policy makers and community groups, this eleven-minute video illustrates of the need for family literacy programs to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

To Dream a Different Dream. Grimminck, Robert (1997). Ontario, Canada: Folker Press Publishing. Once a functionally illiterate adult, the author learned to read and write in a Canadian literacy program and is now an author, poet and speaker. Grimminck wrote this book of autobiography and poetry based on a personal diary he kept as a student at he Centre for Lifelong Learning in London, Ontario.

An Uphill Climb. Sargent, Dave (1991). Redfield Ark. Ozark Publications Inc. From the Foreword: "This is the story of a boy who was born and raised in the hills of northwest Arkansas. At the age of eighteen, he could neither read nor write and was branded a dummy. Driven by a burning desire to succeed and prove to the world that he was as good as anyone else, he struggled and fought to break the bonds of poverty ... and gain recognition and acceptance in a very judgmental and sometimes cruel society." Written at about the fourth grade reading level, Sargent hopes readers of his book "may be inspired by the events of my life, and be able to overcome obstacles."

PACT Time Reading Material
For parents and children reading together

The Checker Playing Hound Dog: Tall Tales from a Southwestern Storyteller. Hayes, Joe (1986). Santa Fe, NM: Mariposa Publishing. The author is a renowned bilingual storyteller. This mid-level reader in English is illustrated by Lucy Jelinek. A 46 minute audiocassette has stories on one side in English "enriched with Spanish," and on the other side in Spanish "enriched with English." Loan Item for TX Educators ONLY.

I Like it When You Read to Me: A Beginning Book for Parents and Children to Read Together. Dromgoole, Glenn (1999). Belleville, Ontario, Canada: Epic Press. Illustrated book has large print in both English and Spanish. Suggestions are included for ways parents can help children learn to read. Colorful, full-page illustrations are by Patty Rae Wellborn.

Little Books from A to Z. McCormick, Christine E. and Mason, Jana M. (1998). Glenview, IL: Good Year Book. Contains 26 reproducible, easy-to-recite, high-interest Little Books for children who are learning to recognize letters and connect the letters with their primary sounds at the beginning of the words. Each book fosters awareness of initial sound by emphasizing a specific letter. A borrower of this book through the Clearinghouse said: "I was delighted with the quality of this material ... useful for children and many levels of adults could use it with their children."

Little Gold Star: Estrellita de Oro: A Cinderella Cuento. Hayes, Joe (2000). El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. In this book illustrated by Gloria Osuna Perez and her daughter Lucia Angela Perez, storyteller Joe Hayes retells one of the world's favorite folk tales in both Spanish and English.

Tell Me a Cuento: Cuentame Un Story: Four Stories in English and Spanish. Hayes, Joe (1998). El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. This bilingual easy reader is illustrated by Geronimo Garcia and includes a Teacher's Guide by Susannah Mississippi Byrd with storytelling tips from Joe Hayes, as well as an audiocassette, 45 minutes on each side. On one side, the four stories are told in English "enriched with Spanish"; on the other side, the stories are in Spanish "enriched with English."

Readings on Life Skills for Adult New Readers

Aging With Confidence: FYI Series. National Council on the Aging, Inc. (1994). Syracuse, NY: New Readers Press. The senior years can be more rewarding and fulfilling with careful planning. Many seniors share concerns over housing, health care, safety, money, age discrimination, and long term care. Book and two cassette tapes help the reader to feel more confident and prepared to deal with these issues.

More Than a Job: Readings on Work and Society. Gordon, John (1991). Syracuse, NY: New Readers Press. Designed to teach students to look critically at the world of work and the notion of vocation, this book builds on the life experiences and skills students already have as they consider their role in society and personal goals. Loan set includes an anthology of readings, a teacher's guide, photocopy masters and an audiotape. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Stress Management: A Self-Care Handbook. Bete, Channing L. (2000). South Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc. Handbook includes tips for reducing stress, practical activities on identifying warning signals, how to respond to "stressors," positive thinking, avoiding negative self-talk, keeping a journal, and committing to change. Use of a personal journal to control stress is explained, as well as relaxation exercises and the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

That's Life Picture Stories. Reiff, Tana (1995). Belmont, CA: Lake Education. Eight easy-to-read, high interest readers for adults share the common theme of life skills. Titles include: Emergency; One More for the Road; Layoff; In a Family Way; Deals on Wheels; Caring; Tax Time; and Mr. and Ms.

Promising Practices to Improve Teaching

The Art of Teaching Reading. Calkins, Lucy McCormick (2001). New York, NY: Longman. McCormick describes how to approach the components of reading instruction - independent reading, guided reading, book talks, word study, reading aloud, etc. - for children. Many techniques described would apply to instruction of adults as well. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Becoming a "Wiz" at Brain-Based Teaching: How to Make Every Year Your Best Year. Sprenger, Marilee (2002). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc. Using an analogy of characters from The Wizard of Oz, the author gives an overview of cognitive research and applications of research findings to the classroom. She provides tools to cope with "the Lion's stress, the Tin Woodsman's need for emotional intelligence, and the Scarecrow's desire for higher level thinking". Some of the subjects include memory pathways, learning styles, and multiple intelligences. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Building Self-esteem with Adult Learners. Lawrence, Denis (2000). London, UK: Paul Chapman Publishing, Ltd. "Self esteem is a major factor in learning outcomes; research consistently shows a positive relationship between how people value themselves and the level of their academic achievement. ... The author ... demonstrates how tutors can learn to recognize this need [for self esteem in their adult learners]; and learn how to organize their tutoring to deliver it." Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School, Expanded Edition. Bransford, John D., et al, Editors (2000). Washington, DC: National Academy Press. A product of the National Research Council's Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, this book presents recent research about the mind, the brain, and the processes of learning. Incorporating information from many branches of science, the authors examine the findings and their implications for what is taught, how it should be taught, and how the learning of children and adults should be assessed. Expanded Edition shows how theories and insights can translate into actions and practice, making a connection between classroom activities and learning behavior.

Learning About Participatory Approaches in Adult Literacy Education. Pheasey, Andrea, et al (2000). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Learning at the Centre Press. In 1998, seven women adult educators explored participatory learning and research-in-practice with adult learners in their programs. The purpose was to extend their resources for daily practice as adult educators and to contribute to knowledge about these practices. This volume includes individual researchers' reports and reflections on what they learned, and how becoming researchers caused them to rethink their roles as teachers.

Maeler's Regard: Images of Adult Learning. Newman, Michael (1999). Sydney, Australia: Stewart Victor Publishing. Newman analyzes learning as a meaning-making process that is both a means of personal growth and an avenue toward social justice. Using images, stories, and case studies as well as explanation and analysis of ideas, the book covers such themes as critical and uncritical thinking, consciousness, forms of power and social control, social movements, civil society, social action, resistance and protest, learning as social beings, and learning as moral beings. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Now We Read, We See, We Speak: Portrait of Literacy Development in an Adult Freirean-based Class. Purcell-Gates, Victoria and Waterman, Robin A. (2000). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. This book will appeal to teachers and researchers who are interested in literacy instruction based on the work of Paolo Freire. It documents eight women's progress toward empowerment through a Freirean-based literacy class in rural El Salvador over an 18-month period, and in the process, provides telling lessons for literacy and adult educators around the world. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

PACE Yourself: A Handbook for ESL Tutors. Dalle, Teresa S. and Young, Laurel L. (2003). Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. This handbook for inexperienced or volunteer tutors of ESL does not aim to make overnight experts of novices. Rather, the authors provide an easy-to-follow guide for people who want to tutor small groups of nonnative speakers of English but do not know how. PACE is an acronym for four steps in the tutoring process: prepare, assess, construct, and evaluate. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Passports to Paradise: The Struggle to Teach and to Learn on the Margins of Adult Education. Sticht, Thomas G., McDonald, Barbara A., and Erickson, Paul R. (January 1998). San Diego, CA: San Diego Consortium for Workforce Education & Lifelong Learning. Report provides a five-year perspective on the adult literacy education system in the inner city of San Diego. "The Struggle to Learn" describes assessing how many adults might benefit from basic skills education; using adult learners as researchers to identify their own barriers to participation; and how various instructional factors affect learning and the transfer of learning to home and community. "The Struggle to Teach" includes insights from teacher researchers; and discussion of challenges to teaching posed by cultural, linguistic, and skill level diversity. "The Struggle to Be Better" covers policy initiatives to improve the adult literacy education system at the state level in California and nationally (including early development of Equipped for the Future); and rebuttals to media coverage describing disadvantaged youth and adults as having low intellectual abilities. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Promising Practices: What We Learned as Pilot Programs. Learning Disabilities Training and Dissemination Project (2003). Syracuse, NY: ProLiteracy America. In partnership with the National Institute for Literacy's Bridges to Practice initiative, 22 ProLiteracy-affiliated adult literacy programs developed practices to better serve adults with learning disabilities. The practices are organized into four categories: preparing to serve adults with learning disabilities; assessment; instructional planning; and teaching/learning. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

So Each May Learn: Integrating Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences. Silver, Harvey F., Strong, Richard W. and Perini, Matthew J. (2000). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Deve-lopment. Based on key principles from the research on learning, the authors explain how to: maximize the benefits of learning styles and MI approaches; ease the stress and demands on teachers as they implement the two approaches; accommodate the widest possible range of academic diversity; and address students' learning processes while emphasizing core curriculum content. A five-step process describes how to integrate learning styles and MI into current lessons, or create new lessons and units that combine the two approaches. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, Third Edition. Celce-Murcia, Marianne, Editor (2001). Boston, MA: Heinle & Heinle/Thompson Learning. Book gives both experienced and prospective ESL/EFL teachers the theoretical background and practical applications they need to decide which methods, materials, and resources can and should be used in their classrooms. Some integrated approaches include: content-based and immersion models; literature as content; experiential and negotiated language learning; and bilingual approaches to language learning. Chapters new to the Third Edition include: computers in language teaching; syllabus design; cognitive approaches to grammar instruction; styles and strategies of language learners; and building awareness and practical skills to facilitate cross-cultural communication. Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Teaching Reading to Adults: A Balanced Approach. Campbell, Pat (2003). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Grass Roots Press. Book was written for adult educators in ABE and ESL who want to deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge about reading assessment and instruction. The author situates "balance" not only within the context of methodology, but also within the broader context of reading the word and the world. Six chapters address: "A balanced approach," "Reading theory," "Assessment," " Word recognition strategies," "Comprehension strategies," and "Teaching reading in a participatory context". Loan set also includes two half-hour training videos ("Word Recognition Strategies" and "Comprehension Strategies"), in which tutors and students demonstrate 13 successful strategies. Loan Item for Preferred Borrowers ONLY due to cost. Ask us how to become a Preferred Borrower!

Tell Me More: Listening to Learners Explain. Duckworth, Eleanor, Editor (2001). New York, NY: Teachers College Press. Several authors describe how learners ranging in age from five to adulthood come to connect with subject matter. From the editorial description: "Their findings not only provide good readable stories, but also offer a unique look at people involved in real learning. Features include: critical examinations of philosophical and psychological ideas about learning; examples of the power of the human mind to come alive across a range of subject matters and situations."

What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction, Third Edition. Farstrup, Alan E. and Samuels, S. Jay (2002). Newark, DE: International Reading Association. Book provides "a balance among theory, research, and effective classroom practice while presenting solid information and astute insights from the most current research and policy work in the area of reading. ... Several chapters focus on research related to early reading instruction, phonemic awareness, comprehension, and fluency... Other chapters focus on constructivist-based approaches to reading and language arts instruction, vocabulary development, content area reading, technology, assessment, and multicultural factors in reading. Each chapter concludes with 'Questions for Discussion' to encourage further reflection and understanding." Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Promising Practices to Improve Programs

Enlightened Risk Taking: A Strategic Risk Management Guide for Nonprofits. Head, George L. and Herman, Melanie L. (2002). Washington, DC: Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Editorial Description: "Nonprofit organizations by their very nature are risk-taking operations. They venture to provide services to people at risk, in risky places and on limited budgets. To tell a nonprofit organization not to take risks is as good as telling the organization to close its doors. This book explains how to take risks in enlightened ways that enable your nonprofit to fulfill its mission to the utmost in our less-than-fully-predictable world." Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.

Fundamentals of Fundraising for Family Literacy Programs. National Center for Family Literacy (2002). Louisville, KY: NCFL. Guidebook helps to "clarify the different types of funding that are available and which methods to use to secure funding that will enhance your program's chances of success". Book explains theories and practices tracing the funding process, from developing a case and defining objectives to stewarding funders to ensure ongoing support. Appendix includes samples such as a letter of inquiry, cover letter for federal and foundation grants, sample budgets (both federal and private), a proposal tracking document, and more.

I Did It for Myself: Studying Efforts to Increase Adult Learner Persistence In Library Literacy Programs. Comings, John P., et al (September 2001). New York, NY: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. In the Literacy in Libraries Across America (LILAA) persistence study, MDRC and the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy are examining the implementation and effectiveness of strategies to increase student persistence now being used in five public libraries. This report from the LILAA study describes the research design, the strategies that the participating libraries are using to increase persistence, and emerging implementation issues.

Leveraging Resources for Student Success: How School Leaders Build Equity. Burke, Mary Ann, et al (2003). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc. "Meeting the unique educational needs of increasingly multicultural and economically diverse student populations has become a serious challenge... This guide, grounded in more than thirty years of field research, presents...solutions for ensuring equitable access for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status and cultural heritage." Loan Item for Texas Educators ONLY.