As an English-language arts teacher and MA reading specialist, I am firmly committed to standards-based instruction, to a point. It makes sense to have specific end goals within an established scope and sequence of instruction to which we all adhere. We are public school teachers. The public has, and should have, input into what we teach to a degree. We are not lone-rangers, nor are we completely autonomous practitioners of our private teaching craft.
However, I am also committed to teaching students as individuals. Knowing individual academic strengths via diagnostic assessments makes sense. Differentiating instruction accordingly also makes sense. Some scaffolds have to be built for some students to master rigorous academic standards.
Beyond teaching to the standards and teaching to students as individuals, we also need to teach to the culture and developmental characteristics of our learners. If we ignore this last component, standards and individual-based learning simply will not take place.
Following are articles, free resources, and teaching tips regarding the developmental characteristics of preteen through adult learners from the Pennington Publishing Blog. Also, check out the quality instructional programs and resources offered by Pennington Publishing.
Developmental Characteristics
Characteristics of Pre-Teen Learners
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/characteristics-of-pre-teen-learners/
Knowing the developmental characteristics of pre-teen students allows teaching professionals to maximize learning. These learner characteristics enable teachers to better motivate their students and inform instructional decision-making. Knowing who you teach will help you know what to teach.
Characteristics of Middle School Learners
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/characteristics-of-middle-school-learners/
Knowing the developmental characteristics of middle school students allows teaching professionals to maximize learning. These learner characteristics enable teachers to better motivate their students and inform instructional decision-making. Knowing who you teach will help you know what to teach.
Characteristics of High School Learners
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/characteristics-of-high-school-learners/
Knowing the developmental characteristics of high school students allows teaching professionals to maximize learning. These learner characteristics enable teachers to better motivate their students and inform instructional decision-making. Knowing who you teach will help you know what to teach.
Characteristics of Adult Learners
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/characteristics-of-adult-learners/
Adult learners are qualitatively different than younger learners. You certainly can “teach an old dog new tricks” by understanding the cognitive and social characteristics of adult learners. Using the right instructional strategies to maximize the learning advantages and address the learning challenges of adult learners can make all the difference in their success…
Help! My Child Won’t Read or Write
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/help-my-child-won’t-read-or-write/
Most children will not read or write with accountability. Providing that accountability will not ruin a child’s love of reading or writing in the long run.
How to Teach Reading to Children, Youth, and Adults
https://blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/how-to-teach-reading-to-children-youth-and-adults/
Should you teach reading to children, youth, and adults in the same way? The answers may surprise you in this strategy-filled article.
More Articles, Free Resources, and Teaching Tips from the Pennington Publishing Blog
English-Language Arts and Reading Intervention Articles and Resources
Bookmark and check back often for new articles and free ELA/reading resources from Pennington Publishing.
- Free Teaching Reading Resources
- Grammar and Mechanics
- Vocabulary
- English-language Arts Standards
- English-language Arts Instruction
- Essay Resources and Lessons
- The Writing Process/Writers Workshop
- Writing Style
- Spelling
- Structural Analysis/Syllabication/Oral Language
- ELA/Reading Assessments
- Independent Reading
- Reading Intervention (RtI Resources)
- EL/ESL/ELD
- Assessment-based Individualized Instruction/Differentiated Instruction
- Critical Thinking
- Study Skills
- Test Preparation
- Developmental Characteristics
- Professional Development
- Literacy Centers
- Close Reading
- Reading Comprehension
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Pennington Publishing’s mission is to provide the finest in assessment-based ELA and reading intervention resources for grades 4‒high school teachers. Mark Pennington is the author of many printable and digital programs. Please check out Pennington Publishing for assessment-based resources created for teachers by a fellow teacher.
Get the Free Assessment Toolkit
Diagnostic reading and ELA assessments, each with its recording matrix.
From the store · grades 4–adult
Reading Fluency and Comprehension Toolkit
Modeled readings at three speeds with comprehension questions in the margins, plus the fluency assessment. $39.99, licensed per teacher.
Questions teachers ask
Which reading assessments are free?
Phonics, phonemic awareness, reading fluency and literacy knowledge are all in the free toolkit, each with a recording matrix for progress monitoring.
Do I have to buy anything to use the assessments?
No. Every diagnostic assessment on this site is free. Enter your email on the Free Assessment Toolkit page and the diagnostic assessments arrive as downloads, each with its recording matrix.
How are the programs licensed?
Every program is a digital download licensed for one teacher. School and district purchase orders are accepted through the store.
Mark Pennington, M.A. Reading Specialist
Thirty-six years teaching ELA and reading, elementary through community college, plus district reading specialist. He wrote every program on this site.
More about Mark →
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