The Science of Reading – Part 2: Vocabulary and Comprehension

[Editor’s note: This is the second part of our five-part series on the best practices of learning to read and learning to read better.] To read Part 1, “Unlocking Language,” click here. Phonics, no matter how effective, can’t be taught in a vacuum. Word knowledge (vocabulary) is another essential part of building language expression in … Continue reading “The Science of Reading – Part 2: Vocabulary and Comprehension”


The Science of Reading – Part 1: Unlocking Language

[Editor’s note: This is the first part of our five-part series on the best practices of learning to read and learning to read better.] There’s a long-standing debate about how best to teach children to read, which has led to what is colloquially known as the “reading wars.” On one side of the battle are … Continue reading “The Science of Reading – Part 1: Unlocking Language”


Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom

It’s pretty much a given that not all students in a classroom are going to be at the same level in terms of both knowledge and ability. While modern schools attempt to group students according to age and basic knowledge, every class still contains students of different backgrounds, abilities, and achievement levels. This situation is … Continue reading “Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom”


Grading in the Age of Coronavirus

Last week we asked a lot of important questions about the state of education while the country is in lockdown from COVID-19, and we asked for our readers’ feedback to be able to draw some broad conclusions. Today, we’re going to talk about a related topic that’s on many students’ and educators’ minds — grading. … Continue reading “Grading in the Age of Coronavirus”


The Ups and Downs of Distance Learning in the Age of Coronavirus

Today, we’re trying a new format for the blog, since we’re all facing a very difficult situation stemming from the global pandemic. Education, while not at a standstill, has greatly changed by moving entirely to distance learning for the moment, and we need to determine a number of things as we move forward. Two of these … Continue reading “The Ups and Downs of Distance Learning in the Age of Coronavirus”


The Importance of Text in an Online World

We live in an age of screens, from smartphones and tablets to video instruction and other forms of eLearning. Our attention span has gotten shorter as we move from one tweet to the next, and short, in-your-face videos as opposed to pages and pages of written text. But does that mean text as a medium … Continue reading “The Importance of Text in an Online World”


Stop the Summer Slide Early this Year

As the last of the school bells ring sometime in May or June of every year, kids race out of classes and into a summer they hope will be filled with fun and adventure. Very few think about reading and the need to keep up with their hard-earned skills from the previous academic year. This … Continue reading “Stop the Summer Slide Early this Year”


Graphic Novels and Other Resources for Stuck-at-Home Kids

In our blog on graphic novels and comics, we discussed how visual input can reinforce characters and themes, especially for those who struggle through rigorous text. Now that we’re all practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the schools and libraries are closed, it’s even more important to match students with reading material that … Continue reading “Graphic Novels and Other Resources for Stuck-at-Home Kids”


Dolly Parton’s Literary Legacy Continues

A short time ago, we discussed Dolly Parton’s creation of the Imagination Library program in 1995. The non-profit program, underwritten by local libraries and other community institutions, provides one free book a month to children from newborns to five years old. From its small start in Sevier County, where Parton grew up, the Library has grown … Continue reading “Dolly Parton’s Literary Legacy Continues”