Posts Tagged ‘reading’
Spring Literacy Challenge #1: Let Them Read
It’s (finally) spring, and along with the warmer temperatures comes testing season. This year, before you kick into test prep/worksheet hell, try this simple literacy challenge to fine-tune the coming weeks: Track how many minutes students spend reading during one school day. Research is really clear on this: students who read more achieve more. (And…
Read MoreThree Favorite Things
It’s that time of year where everyone is making lists and checking it twice, so we thought we would toss out a few of our ERG Favorite Things. Children’s Literature What’s not to love here? Children’s books are not only designed to create a love of reading, but also are handy tools in classrooms…
Read MorePower of Language
“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” – Ludwig Wittenstein From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . When we are equipped with capable language skills, we possess the power to communicate. I know – power is a strong word (no pun intended), but here are a few of its synonyms: capable, competent, dynamic,…
Read MoreMaking Meaning
Breathe In – Breathe Out
“Reading is like breathing in. Writing is like breathing out.” – Pam Allyn From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . “If you can say it, you can write it. If you can write it, you can read it.” I don’t know who first uttered those words, but they have become a mantra in…
Read MoreRetelling – Another Tool for the Reader's Toolbox
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . Each day we are on a quest – a quest to build readers. We want our growing learners to know that reading is so much more than simply calling words with lyrical expression. The purpose of reading is to gain meaning and a strategic way to…
Read MoreA Tool for Your Comprehension Toolbox
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . “If the motorcycle was huge, it was nothing to the man sitting astride it. He was twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked simply too big to be allowed . . .” Can’t you…
Read MoreReflect, Retell, & Retain
“To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” – Edmund Burke From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . There is a joy in watching young learners develop as readers – to see them move from merely calling words to truly understanding the meaning of a text is inspiring. Comprehension skills can be…
Read MoreModeling Questioning – Building Understanding
“Without questions, there is no learning.” – W. Edwards Deming Strolling through a book store examining the covers of picture books gives me great pleasure. As a visual learner – the pictures do paint thousands of words – and they also spark a little self-talk. Would this be a good fit book for my kindergartners? Can…
Read MoreThe Reading Journey
“Everyone is a reader…Some just haven’t found their best route yet.” – unknown During a recent reading association meeting I was met with some interesting reading statistics: “Reading scientists” predict that 95% of students can be taught to read accurately and fluently. If this is true, how do we help our struggling readers in their journey to becoming successful…
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