With this remarkably complete and well-organized resource, Regie Routman invites all teachers to reflect upon their practice, and in doing so, she makes whole language teaching and learning possible for everyone. The text provides in-depth information, as well as step-by-step demonstration lessons for topics such as: becoming a whole language teacher; shared reading and shared writing for all grades; guided reading - whole class, small group, and individualized; grouping for success; examining a basal story and using it holistically; developing literature extension activities; responding to literature through literature response logs and discussion groups; setting up an independent reading program; journal writing; teaching phonics and skills strategically; letter writing and story writing for authentic purposes; integrating spelling into the reading-writing classroom; getting the publishing process going; integrating the language arts through literature and across the curriculum; understanding and utilizing meaningful evaluation procedures - anecdotal records, grading, and self-evaluation; applying holistic strategies to L.D. and "at-risk" students; organizing and managing the whole language classroom; establishing teacher support groups and other networks.

With the Blue Pages bound in, Invitations is the most exhaustive resource available for any teacher interested in professional development and changing his or her teaching.