Designed to include a broad base of information about how children acquire and develop literacy, this book discusses the knowledge that is necessary to be an influential teacher of reading and writing. Each chapter in the book begins and ends with a "Double Entry Journal" (DEJ)--an interactive strategy designed to stimulate thinking and to draw upon previous experience and knowledge base. The before-reading DEJ provides a focus on the chapter topic and activates prior knowledge, while the after-reading DEJ builds on that knowledge but combines it with the new ideas and strategies introduced in the chapter. Each chapter ends with a concise summary of the material in the chapter. Chapters in the book are: (1) Becoming an Influential Reading and Writing Teacher; (2) Coming to Know the Reading and Writing Processes: Understanding Meaning Making; (3) Understanding the Beginning Steps: Early Reading and Writing Development; (4) Developing Reading Comprehension: Using Instructional Strategies to Develop Higher Level Thinking; (5) Building Vocabulary and Comprehension Connections; (6) Using Literature and Reader Response to Enhance Attitudes and Comprehension; (7) Guiding Children's Writing; (8) Using Word Analysis Strategies to Develop Reader Independence: Transforming Print to Meaning; (9) Developing Children's Literacy Abilities in Content Areas; (10) Understanding Language, Cultural, and Achievement Diversity in the Classroom; (11) Evaluating Children's Progress in Reading and Writing; (12) Examining Instructional Approaches: Basal Reader, Literature-Based, Whole Language, and Supplementary Programs; (13) Organizing and Managing Classrooms for Literacy Learning; and (14) Continuing Professional Change and Growth: Reaching the Influential Goal. (NKA)