Parents and Teachers: Bridging the Communication Gap

For students who learn or think differently, having a strong support network is critical to success. And that network should include both teachers and parents. Unfortunately, there’s always been a certain amount of difficulty bridging the communication gap between the two groups, but it certainly got worse during the remote learning of the pandemic, leaving … Continue reading “Parents and Teachers: Bridging the Communication Gap”


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”


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”


Reading/Teaching Science Fiction Helps Inspire Students in the Age of Technology

Science fiction may be a relatively young genre in the vast span of human literature, but it holds a unique place in our modern technological world, and thereby in our educational system. Science fiction has the ability to inspire imagination and innovation. It also helps draw young people to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and … Continue reading “Reading/Teaching Science Fiction Helps Inspire Students in the Age of Technology”


Guest Blog, Elizabeth Smith – Ace Reader: A Solution to a Multi-Faceted Problem

According to the 2015 NAEP Report (the last year that twelfth graders were included), slightly over 1/3 of public school fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders read at a proficient level or above.[1] The overwhelming majority of that 37% is at the proficient level. As most teachers know, “proficient” isn’t equivalent with grade level. The statistics … Continue reading “Guest Blog, Elizabeth Smith – Ace Reader: A Solution to a Multi-Faceted Problem”


Stop the Summer Reading Slide

Today’s post is a re-post of a blog we ran last year. As this year the summer slide seems even  more entrenched than ever, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the topic. As the last of the school bells ring, kids head off to a summer that (they hope) will be … Continue reading “Stop the Summer Reading Slide”


The Value of Reading to Kids at an Early Age

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents begin reading to their children as soon as they are born. While this may seem a little early to some, there is an increasing body of evidence that shows that kids who have early and regular exposure to books and stories – sometimes called “bookishness” – have … Continue reading “The Value of Reading to Kids at an Early Age”