Category: General

Does Learning Music Help Students Learn to Read?

If it’s to be believed, a 2018 study from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that students who receive music lessons — specifically piano instruction — have an advantage over their non-musical peers when it comes to learning to read, and that … Continue reading “Does Learning Music Help Students Learn to Read?”

Are Humans Hard-Wired for Reading?

A while ago we posted a blog describing how humans are hard-wired for speech and language, but not for reading and writing, which is why the former can be passively learned while the latter must be expressly taught. Now, however, researchers out of Ohio State University have concluded that humans are hard-wired for reading, as our … Continue reading “Are Humans Hard-Wired for Reading?”

Has the Coronavirus Created a Generational Gap in Education?

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our lives in numerous ways, from limiting social gatherings to seeing businesses close and even fold from the loss of income. One of the biggest ways it’s impacted us as a society, though, is one that has even greater implications for the future — the movement of education to strictly … Continue reading “Has the Coronavirus Created a Generational Gap in Education?”

Guest Blog: Online Tools to Improve One’s Literacy

[Editor’s note: Today’s blog was written by Jane Miller, a freelance writer, part-time high school English teacher, and a graduate student based in Seattle, Washington. It has been lightly edited for clarity.] Literacy goes beyond just reading and writing. These skills allow us to communicate effectively, and, just as importantly, they give us the ability … Continue reading “Guest Blog: Online Tools to Improve One’s Literacy”

Best Books of 2020

Between a global pandemic, a divisive election, racial unrest, murder hornets, and killer hurricanes, to name but a few events, 2020 has been a year most people want to forget. However, there have been numerous books published this past year that merit attention, and many noteworthy institutions have compiled their “Best of” lists for the … Continue reading “Best Books of 2020”

Authors, Developing Words – Anne Perry

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] Anne Perry is best known for her historical detective stories, especially the Thomas Pitt and William Monk series set in Victorian London, but she has had a long career combining murder … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Anne Perry”

Study Skills — Part 5: Becoming an Effective Learner

Effective learners, whether they’re in school or out in the world, are those who discover how to study smarter, not harder. For the purposes of this blog, we’re going to be focusing on classroom learning, and, in that environment, studying smarter is key to managing your time efficiently, getting good grades, building upon what you’ve … Continue reading “Study Skills — Part 5: Becoming an Effective Learner”

Does Your Picture Book Have Too Many Pictures?

One of the characteristics of beginning readers’ picture books is that they have, well, pictures. And usually lots of them. A new research study, though, is challenging the idea that more is better when it comes to pictures and reading comprehension. According to the paper published in npj Science of Learning, more pictures can actually … Continue reading “Does Your Picture Book Have Too Many Pictures?”

Interview with Leah King: Educator, reading specialist, and reader, Part 2

[Editor’s note and disclaimer: This is Part 2 of our discussion with educator and reading specialist Leah King. The content for this two-part post came from an interview conducted by Miriam Ruff on October 4, 2020, and it has been edited somewhat for length and fluency.] To read Part 1, click here. MR: Like everyone … Continue reading “Interview with Leah King: Educator, reading specialist, and reader, Part 2”