A History of Education: China

[Editor’s Note: This is the 8th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Between 3000-2500 BCE, the period during which the Semitic alphabet arose in the West, the Chinese developed a very different writing system … Continue reading “A History of Education: China”


The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 3 (ASL and Literacy)

[Editor’s note: This is the third post of a five-part series on the deaf and educational interventions to ensure reading comprehension and fluency. To read the first part, go here. To read the second part, go here.] If a child’s primary language is ASL (American Sign Language), does this enhance or expedite the acquisition of … Continue reading “The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 3 (ASL and Literacy)”


The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 1 (Overview)

[Editor’s note: This is the first post of a five-part series on the deaf and educational interventions to ensure reading comprehension and fluency.] Chamberlain & Mayberry (2000) indicate that reading requires two related abilities. First, you must be familiar with a language. Second, you must understand the mapping between that language and the printed word … Continue reading “The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 1 (Overview)”


Balancing Literacy: What Makes for Good Reading Instruction?

In a September 8, 2021 opinion post, Education Week described two educators’ concerns over the polarization of literary instruction and the distortion of the term “balanced literacy” from its original meaning.[1] To address the former, we have to look no farther than the hotly debated “war” between phonics and whole-word instruction, which we dealt with … Continue reading “Balancing Literacy: What Makes for Good Reading Instruction?”


The Science of Reading – Part 3A: Developing Fluency

[Editor’s note: This is the third 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. For emerging readers, text reading fluency generally refers to oral reading fluency, as students … Continue reading “The Science of Reading – Part 3A: Developing Fluency”


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”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 12: Runes and Futhark

[Editor’s note: This is the thirteenth of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 12: Runes and Futhark”


Humans Hard-Wired for Speech but not for Reading and Writing

Humans communicate naturally by speech – that is to say, without any special training besides hearing individuals speak to each other. The reason is the structure of our brains. Researchers have shown that there are two specific centers in the human brain that oversee and control language acquisition; both are in the brain’s left hemisphere. … Continue reading “Humans Hard-Wired for Speech but not for Reading and Writing”


How to Foster the Early Literacy Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Last week we discussed the AAP’s policy statements and technical reports emphasizing the critical importance of early literacy for children – starting from the time they are born. Parents and caregivers should work with their pediatricians to ensure that their children are exposed to critical age-dependent skills so that they enter school ready to build … Continue reading “How to Foster the Early Literacy Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)”


Understanding Dyslexia – Part 4

[Editor’s note: This is the final post of a four-part series on dyslexia. Links to the other segments are included in the blog.] Last week, we talked about how parents can work with their dyslexic children to ensure they get the proper support in the home environment. Today, we’re going to talk about one specific … Continue reading “Understanding Dyslexia – Part 4”