Misleading Educational Malpractice
Misleading Educational Malpractice
A number of years ago I wrote a few articles detailing crazy educational fads and trends. Check out “Crazy Reading Fads” for a laugh and “Top Twelve Spelling Trends and Fads” for a shake-your-head-and-sigh read.
However, a number of crazy educational fads and trends have had significant staying power over the years. I’ve gathered a selection of articles I’ve written regarding these movements, programs, philosophies, mindsets, and educational practices that I find to lack some degree of educational merit. I find some of their claims to be misleading or outright wrong. I find many of their educational applications to be misdirected at best or malpractice at worst.
As an educational publisher I’ve written these articles to highlight problems regarding these fads and trends, criticize misapplication of educational research, and (of course) promote my own curricular products. The latter disclaimer hasn’t colored my viewpoints, but states the obvious: I’m writing these articles, in large part, to publicize my products. By now, educators have come to terms with the commercialization of the Internet. I trust educators to be significantly savvy about this strange bedfellows of facts, opinions, and marketing. Some of my article content does lend itself to a call to action (to consider purchasing my resources) , but most does not. My author/product promotions reside at the end of articles, per traditional usage. I usually offer some sort of educational freebie at the end of my articles to entice readers to the article and offer examples of my products.
My take is that you won’t agree with all my positions in these articles; however, reading a contrary viewpoint always makes me think more than reading something that is in lock-step with my own opinions. You might feel the same way. I invite your comments.
“Why Daily Oral Language (D.O.L.) Doesn’t Work”
D.O.L. is for teachers who want to cover grammar, not really teach it. The Common Core grammar, usage, and mechanics are rigorous and require an investment of class time to help students master these Standards.
As a reading specialist, I can assure teachers, parents, and students that anyone without significant cognitive impairment can learn to read. Dyslexia is not a neurological disorder. Read how the International Literacy Association supports my viewpoint.
“Don’t Teach Reading Comprehension”
There is no program to teach reading comprehension. Teach the content and skills of reading, provide plenty of practice, and comprehension will improve.
“Don’t Teach to Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences”
It’s time to give up the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles theory, as well as Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory. Although intuitively, these theories seem to have some merit, there is no research-base confirming these ideas and certainly no different instructional procedures are warranted.
“Should We Teach Reading Strategies?”
We test for main idea, inferences, etc., but should we teach and practice these reading comprehension strategies? The reading research is fascinating on this subject.
“Close Reading: Don’t Read Too Closely”
With the advent of the Common Core State Standards, the authors promotion of close reading has convinced teachers that it is newest and greatest reading strategy. Close reading is neither new, nor does it warrant excessive practice: Some? Yes; Everyday? No.
“The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader”
Accelerated Reader is used everywhere and has many die-hard advocates. However, before jumping on the bandwagon, check out this article and the dozens of comments. Plenty of FREE alternatives are available to create schoolwide and classroom independent reading programs with better results and less drama.
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The Teaching Reading Strategies (Reading Intervention Program) is designed for non-readers or below grade level readers ages eight-adult. Ideal as both Tier II or III pull-out or push-in reading intervention for older struggling readers, special education students with auditory processing disorders, and ESL, ESOL, or ELL students. This full-year (or half-year intensive) program provides explicit and systematic whole-class instruction and assessment-based small group workshops to differentiate instruction. Both new and veteran reading teachers will appreciate the four training videos, minimal prep and correction, and user-friendly resources in this program, written by a teacher for teachers and their students.
The program provides 13 diagnostic reading and spelling assessments (many with audio files). Teachers use assessment-based instruction to target the discrete concepts and skills each student needs to master according to the assessment data. Whole class and small group instruction includes the following: phonemic awareness activities, synthetic phonics blending and syllabication practice, phonics workshops with formative assessments, expository comprehension worksheets, 102 spelling pattern assessments, reading strategies worksheets, 123 multi-level fluency passage videos recorded at three different reading speeds, writing skills worksheets, 644 reading, spelling, and vocabulary game cards (includes print-ready and digital display versions) to play entertaining learning games.
In addition to these resources, the program features the popular Sam and Friends Guided Reading Phonics Books. These 54 decodable books (includes print-ready and digital display versions) have been designed for older readers with teenage cartoon characters and plots. Each 8-page book introduces two sight words and reinforces the sound-spellings practiced in that day’s sound-by-sound spelling blending. Plus, each book has two great guided reading activities: a 30-second word fluency to review previously learned sight words and sound-spelling patterns and 5 higher-level comprehension questions. Additionally, each book includes an easy-to-use running record if you choose to assess. Your students will love these fun, heart-warming, and comical stories about the adventures of Sam and his friends: Tom, Kit, and Deb. Oh, and also that crazy dog, Pug. These take-home books are great for independent homework practice.
Teaching Reading Strategies and Sam and Friends Guided Reading Phonics Books
FREE DOWNLOADS TO ASSESS THE QUALITY OF PENNINGTON PUBLISHING RESOURCES: The SCRIP (Summarize, Connect, Re-think, Interpret, and Predict) Comprehension Strategies includes class posters, five lessons to introduce the strategies, and the SCRIP Comprehension Bookmarks.
Get the SCRIP Comprehension Strategies FREE Resource:
Get the Diagnostic ELA and Reading Assessments FREE Resource: