Literacy
"All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that people had never seen."
~ Roald Dahl, Matilda
Reading both informs and transforms us. Literacy enables us to better know ourselves as well as the people around us. Literacy guides us every day. Our goal is to provide educators with the knowledge and strategies to provide research-based instruction that will empower students with a strong foundation when learning to read, write, speak, and listen.
What Exactly is the "Science of Reading"?
The term “science of reading” refers to the research that reading experts, especially cognitive scientists, have conducted on how we learn to read. This research is not "new", however most recently it has helped debunk older methods of reading instruction that were based on tradition and observation, not evidence.
What Can Educators Do?
Here are a few steps to take to make sure that teachers are using research-based strategies in their literacy instruction...
1. Keep an Open Mind - many of us have been taught to use a "balanced literacy" approach and it can be difficult to embrace a different approach.
2. Be a Learner - read articles (see below), join reading groups, commit to being informed
3. Share Your Knowledge - find a group of educators to encourage your own learning and implementing these strategies
Articles
Four Things You Need to Know About The Reading Wars
Videos
"coming soon"