Reading

As promised, this month is the second in a three part series about Reading
Research and Best Practices.  This month, we'll explore the opposing perspectives
of quality reading instruction and learn more about some of the key players
on both sides.  In its simplest of terms, the battle lines are drawn
between advocates of phonics, ...

For many classroom teachers, access to current research-based practices has proven difficult since many have limited funds
available to subscribe to reading research journals and limited time or resources available to locate the most current research
documents about effective reading practices. So, I've decided to dedicate the next three months to ...

Providing readers with books that offer just the right amount of support and challenge to allow them to successfully
problem-solve on text is an important part of any positive reading experience for children of all ages. Thus, teachers are striving
to select books for guided reading opportunities at school and parents ...

I decided to take this month to compile information
about some of the most popular software programs and integrated learning
systems for school use.  Please realize that inclusion in this list
does not necessarily mean that I equally endorse each program; this list
is merely a compilation of some of the programs about which teachers ...

As a member of the RTEACHER
listserv, I've noticed many recent questions about the use of a process
known as "Thinking-Aloud" during reading instruction.  This concept
has caught the attention of many elementary and middle school teachers
who are asking questions like...What is a think-aloud?...When do I model
the use of this think-aloud behavior?  For those ...

Peer teaching involves one or more students teaching other students
in a particular subject area.  There is much support in the literature
for incorporating peer teaching techniques into reading instruction. 
This month, we'll take a look at how educators define and structure peer
tutoring sessions within reading instruction, learn about the advantages
of its use, and ...

As more and more teachers are realizing the importance
of oral language and its contribution to reading development, the search
is on for helpful online resources in this area.  I've chosen to focus,
this month, on helping readers to access information about the stages of
normal oral language development in early childhood and how these ...

As the overwhelming amount and types of texts available to young readers
increases daily, it is vital that students learn to read critically. 
Advertisements, web sites, persuasive articles and children's trade books
contain messages and themes that require readers to suspend judgement,
consider another point of view, and think carefully about their meaning. 
Standardized reading assessments ...

A number of states have moved toward including guided reading in their
overall picture of quality reading instruction and teachers are always
searching for resources that summarize the components of these important
reading lessons. As summer gets under way and you get a few minutes to
take a breather from the hectic life in a ...

Summer is almost here again, and as always, the kids will be home for
a few months looking for something to do.  Last June, I wrote an article
about Summer Reading Programs online, and I've gotten several requests
for something similar, so this month's article features summer reading
again with a smattering of different twists.& ...