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”

Interview with Leah King: Educator, reading specialist, and reader, Part 1

[Editor’s note and disclaimer: This is another in an occasional series of interviews with readers, reading specialists, and educators. 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.] MR:  Thanks for being with us and sharing … Continue reading “Interview with Leah King: Educator, reading specialist, and reader, Part 1”

How Closed Captioning Can Improve Literacy

If you want to learn to read well, watch TV — with closed captioning. Captions provide readers, and especially emergent, struggling, or English Language Learning readers, with additional print exposure; and they offer an inexpensive way for students to build and improve their foundational reading skills, including phonics, word recognition and vocabulary building, and fluency. … Continue reading “How Closed Captioning Can Improve Literacy”

Guest Blog: The Unexpected Benefits of Virtual Learning, and How to Make the Most of Them

[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.] In the roughly six months since the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S. in earnest, virtual learning has developed something of a mixed reputation. In those six months, students of all … Continue reading “Guest Blog: The Unexpected Benefits of Virtual Learning, and How to Make the Most of Them”

Instruction in the Time of the Pandemic: Parental Involvement

2020 has been hard on everyone, and when it comes to education, it’s especially evident with parents, teachers, and administrators. With the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown that closed schools for an indefinite period, parents have found themselves in the position of having to help instruct their children — of many different ages and … Continue reading “Instruction in the Time of the Pandemic: Parental Involvement”

Instruction in the Time of the Pandemic: Technology Integration

In our December 5, 2017 blog Technology Integration in the Classroom, we noted that “the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found “no appreciable improvements in student achievement in reading, mathematics or science in the countries that had invested heavily in information and communication technology (ICT) for education.”” And it’s been found that even younger … Continue reading “Instruction in the Time of the Pandemic: Technology Integration”

The Science of Reading – Part 4: Online Reading

[Editor’s note: This is the last 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. To read Part 2, “Vocabulary and Comprehension,” click here. To read Part 3A, “Developing Fluency,” click here. To read Part 3B, “Developing Fluency” (continued),” click here. … Continue reading “The Science of Reading – Part 4: Online Reading”