Poetry has a place in education, even among the elementary grades. It can be included as part of reading, writing, and language lessons, and adds additional value to classroom themes, projects, celebrations, and other important events. Here are five good reasons to include poetry in the classroom. Builds reading, speaking, and listening skills Children who … Continue reading “Teaching Poetry in the Classroom”
Tag: vocabulary
Home Is Where Children’s Reading Skills Start to Develop
The On Track study performed at the Norwegian Reading Centre at the University of Stavanger found a strong connection between a child’s home reading environment from the time they’re very young and the progress that child makes in learning to read and learning to read better when they’re in school.[1] Study researcher Vibeke Bergersen indicated … Continue reading “Home Is Where Children’s Reading Skills Start to Develop”
Reading Fluency Instruction After Grade 3
We’ve addressed the issue of reading fluency in emerging readers a number of times, as it’s one of the fundamental concepts that must be explicitly taught by the teacher and practiced by the students (you can find previous texts here and here). Reading fluency generally refers to a student’s oral reading fluency, as they’re encouraged … Continue reading “Reading Fluency Instruction After Grade 3”
The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 5 (Strategies for Hearing Parents)
[Editor’s note: This is the last 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. To read the third part, go here. To read the fourth part, go here.] If you’re a hearing parent of a … Continue reading “The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 5 (Strategies for Hearing Parents)”
The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 4 (Reading to Deaf Children)
[Editor’s note: This is the fourth 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. To read the third part, go here.] Reading aloud is just as important for deaf children as it … Continue reading “The Deaf and Reading Comprehension – Part 4 (Reading to Deaf Children)”
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 Importance of Scaffolding in Reading Instruction
Scaffolds in education are like scaffolds on a building: they serve as a supporting framework for the structure. Unlike differentiated instruction, which adjusts texts to students of differing abilities, scaffolding strategies can be used with all students, including students who struggle with reading at grade level. Scaffolding as an instructional concept was first mentioned in … Continue reading “The Importance of Scaffolding in Reading Instruction”
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”
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 2: Vocabulary and Comprehension
[Editor’s note: This is the second 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. Phonics, no matter how effective, can’t be taught in a vacuum. Word knowledge (vocabulary) is another essential part of building language expression in … Continue reading “The Science of Reading – Part 2: Vocabulary and Comprehension”