Category · 323 articles
Reading
Don’t Read Class Novels
When we teach a novel or short story, how much of our instruction should be teacher-dependent and how much should be teacher-independent? My thought is that…
Context Clues Vocabulary Review Game
This context clues vocabulary review game helps students apply the five major context clues categories to informed word guessing. Using the Pictionary® game, students drawing context…
How to Teach Reading Intervention
Teaching reading intervention is qualitatively different from teaching beginning reading. By definition, the initial reading instruction did not “take” to a sufficient degree, so things must…
Advanced Reading Skills are Essential
Without refined reading skills, personal independence and options are severely limited. What was an adequate reading skill level thirty years ago is inadequate today. More higher…
Content vs. Skills Reading Instruction
A key discussion point regarding reading instruction today involves those favoring skills-based instruction and those favoring content-based instruction. The debate is not either-or, but the author…
Trust Teachers, but Verify with Diagnostic ELA/Reading Assessments
In summary, trust the science of comprehensive, diagnostic ELA/reading assessments to inform your instruction. Using this objective data will eliminate the "trust factor" and guess work…
Ten Criteria for Effective ELA/Reading Diagnostic Assessments
Diagnostic assessments are essential instructional tools for effective English-language Arts and reading teachers. However, many teachers resist using these tools because they can be time-consuming to…
Educational Fads
Teaching is, by its very nature, experimental. We teachers are just as susceptible to snake-oil sales pitches, fads, and cultural pressures as any professionals. Educational fads…