Helen Cozmescu

This book considers three distinct areas of scholarship, literacy education in the first two years of schooling, First Nations perspectives, and critical literacy as a teaching approach and way of being. Helen Cozmescu presents a synthesized understanding of critical literacy, which draws on the work of Paulo Freire, Lorenzo Milani and contemporary scholar Hilary Janks. It merges understandings of critical literacy with data from two studies carried out in Australia, a school-based study which focused on teaching and learning practices and a large-scale study about teacher professional development. Results from these studies exemplify young students’ abilities and enthusiasm to engage with substantive topics including the role of teachers’ knowledge and positionality on First Nations perspectives; critical literacy as an imperative for education; and the need to prioritize First Nations content. The book shows how issues of power, racism, and equality can be tackled through the cultivation of critical literacy and includes discussion of work by children's authors including Isaiah Firebrace, Amy McQuire, David Millar and Coral Vass.

This book explores phonics within the wider landscape of literacy instruction and emphasises the importance of responding to diverse student needs through linguistically informed pedagogy. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this book provides pre- and in-service teachers with the essential tools they need to navigate the world of phonics-based reading. The authors offer a balanced perspective that moves beyond the ‘reading wars’ framing, in which phonics and whole-language approaches are often positioned in opposition. Instead, it outlines the latest evidence-based phonics instruction methods and draws on the insights of both educators and researchers. It blends practical guidance with strong research foundations. It also introduces differentiation strategies in phonics instruction and provides support for working with varied English pronunciation models, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity found among children around the world. This highly practical and academically rigorous resource is an essential read for educators guiding young children on the journey toward becoming skilled readers.

This book explores phonics within the wider landscape of literacy instruction and emphasises the importance of responding to diverse student needs through linguistically informed pedagogy. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this book provides pre- and in-service teachers with the essential tools they need to navigate the world of phonics-based reading. The authors offer a balanced perspective that moves beyond the ‘reading wars’ framing, in which phonics and whole-language approaches are often positioned in opposition. Instead, it outlines the latest evidence-based phonics instruction methods and draws on the insights of both educators and researchers. It blends practical guidance with strong research foundations. It also introduces differentiation strategies in phonics instruction and provides support for working with varied English pronunciation models, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity found among children around the world. This highly practical and academically rigorous resource is an essential read for educators guiding young children on the journey toward becoming skilled readers.