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Recommended Reading List
•LeDoux, Joseph, Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are. Viking Penguin Press, New York, 2002. ISBN 0-670-03028-7.
 This book explores the communication channels between neurons, or synapses, to help readers understand the existence of the unique “self.” Le Doux, in a direct and straightforward discussion, explains that both nurture and nature matter: and that “People don’t come pre-assembled, but are glued together by life.” He explores all realms of consciousness – including personality, logic, self-concept, emotion, cognition, motivation, memory and learning. There are sections of the book that become quite technical, although to the reasonably adept follower of neuroscience, information is clearly stated and understandable.
Learning First Alliance, Every Child Reading: A Professional Development Guide.Washington, D.C., November, 2000. Learning First Alliance, Every Child Reading: An Action Plan. Washington, D.C., 1998.
These publications have no ISBN number, but can be viewed and downloaded from the website www.learningfirst.org or ordered in quantity. Other areas covered by Learning First Alliance include Mathematics and Safe and Supportive Schools. The Learning First Alliance can be contacted directly at:
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 335
 Washington, DC 20036 202-296-5220
- These concise manuals (only The Professional Development Guide pictured above) contain information regarding literacy and reading instruction, all driven by best practice and sound research – and verified by longitudinal studies. The manuals are produced in the spirit of collaboration, by: the American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Education Commission of the States, National PTA, National School Boards Association, National Association of Elementary/Secondary School Principals, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and National Education Association.
These organizations have reached consensus on best-practice. In this day of ESEA legislation and the emphasis on both research and sound data gathering processes, the Learning First Alliance materials should be a staple in the menu of materials all teachers use, at all levels, to understand how to teach literacy skills - either as a stand-alone subject or through the content areas (post primary grades).
Included in the Professional Development Guide are grade level expectations, a user-friendly glossary of terms, research resource information, and detailed information regarding the 9 components of effective, research-supported reading instruction for primary grades. Those include: phonemic awareness, letter knowledge, and concepts of print; the alphabetic code; fluent, automatic reading of text; vocabulary; text comprehension; written expression; spelling and handwriting; screening and continuous assessment to inform instruction; motivating children to read and develop personal literacy horizons.
 A User’s Guide to the Brain, by John J. Ratey, M.D. Pantheon Books, New York, 2001. ISBN 0-679-45309-1--This wonderfully written book is full of information regarding the human brain, dovetailing current work from neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and anthropology. It contains surprising breadth and depth of information regarding early childhood and human development to practical advice concerning personal success, motivation and effort. A no-nonsense approach, Ratey explores behavior, movement, attention , emotion, language, trauma, memory building, learning, and more. Written by an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School, this book will be one readers will revisit, ponder over, and use as a platform to continue the search for understanding ourselves as human beings.
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