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”


Vision Problems and Reading Comprehension

If a child is having difficulty reading, sometimes vision problems may be the cause. The problems may not be apparent, though, if the child does not complain about difficulty seeing or has passed their school’s vision screening. What’s required is a comprehensive optometric examination, one that addresses the many different components required for reading and comprehension. … Continue reading “Vision Problems and Reading Comprehension”


Study Skills Part 8 — Learning Styles — Part 3 of 3

As we’ve discussed over the last two weeks (Learning Styles, Part 1 and Part 2), not everybody learns in the same way, and learning styles are a way of grouping together the basic, common ways in which people learn. Most people, while having a dominant form of learning, still rely on many of the other … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 8 — Learning Styles — Part 3 of 3”


Study Skills Part 7 — Learning Styles — Part 2 of 3

As we discussed last week, not everybody learns in the same way. Learning styles are a way of grouping together the basic, common ways in which people learn. Most people, while having a dominant form of learning, still rely on many of the other techniques to learn and recall information, but none of this is … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 7 — Learning Styles — Part 2 of 3”


Study Skills Part 6 – Learning Styles – Part 1 of 3

Not everybody learns in the same way, and learning styles are a way of grouping together the basic, common ways in which people learn. Most people, while having a dominant form of learning, still rely on many of the other techniques to learn and recall information, but none of this is set in stone — … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 6 – Learning Styles – Part 1 of 3”


Study Skills Part 4 – Taking Notes

Note taking, whether in school or in a job meeting, is a crucial skill. It not only forces you to think about what is being said, but it also serves as material you can review when you want to revisit key topics or details. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll discuss taking notes as … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 4 – Taking Notes”


Study Skills Part 3 – Time Management

Time management is not only a skill that’s important while you’re attending school, but it’s one that carries over in to every aspect of your life. Every day we face an array of schedules, meetings, deadlines, household chores, and a whole host of other events we need to contend with; if we don’t plan our … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 3 – Time Management”