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“There is no comprehension strategy powerful enough to compensate if a student cannot read the words.” Anita Archer This is perhaps my favorite teaching quote. Yes, we all want our students to read and to be able to comprehend text. But we are misguided if we use the end goal of reading (comprehension) as the…
In the world of early literacy education, there has long been a prevailing myth that young readers should start by learning to read and later transition to reading to learn. For decades, theories of children’s phases of reading acquisition oversimplified the process. So, the “learning to read” then “reading to learn” made sense. However, the…
Reading Wars With decades of research, experience, and intelligent conversations, how are we still “at war” when it comes to reading? First I will say that I operate under the assumption that ALL teachers go into education to help students learn. Educators go to school to learn pedagogy, instructional practices, and the current research to…
As educators committed to fostering successful reading journeys for our students, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of reading. One of the most effective approaches to achieve this is by embracing Scarborough’s Reading Rope, a powerful framework that intricately weaves together various strands of reading skills. In this blog post, we’ll delve into…
Introduction As educators and parents, we share the common goal of helping young learners become proficient readers. Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, smoothly, and with understanding. It is a crucial milestone in a child’s reading journey. You might be surprised at the many layers and foundational skills that are required of readers…
Introduction to Syllable Division As elementary school teachers, one of our primary goals is to equip our students with the essential skills they need to become proficient readers. For struggling readers, decoding multisyllabic words can be a daunting task, hindering their ability to comprehend text effectively. However, there is a powerful tool that can significantly…
Addressing the Knowledge Gap: I hope this blog post finds you all well and full of enthusiasm for another exciting year of teaching! Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to an enlightening new podcast called “Knowledge Matters” by Natalie Wexler, where she emphasizes the importance of building students’ knowledge in reading comprehension. As the…
How to Use Word Lists to Support All Areas of Literacy Phonics word lists are an invaluable tool for teaching and reinforcing phonics skills, providing a structured approach to decoding and spelling words. The science of reading emphasizes the importance of explicit and systematic instruction, and phonics word lists offer a versatile resource to support…
As the summer months approach, parents often wonder how they can support their child’s reading progress during the break from school. The science of reading provides valuable insights into the foundational skills necessary for reading success. By understanding the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, parents can empower their children to become…
It is a new year and I hope you will join me in learning more about the science of reading. Our journey should not be one of confirming what we already know about reading or validating our experiences. Instead, consider what it would mean to change your approach to reading instruction based on scientific facts. …
Free resource for organizing assessment data
It is the beginning of the school year, and we are eager to see how our students read and what skills we need to teach them. How do we accomplish both? We do so with a comprehensive reading assessment that covers all skills needed for reading. Science of Reading and a Reading Assessment …