Writing is one of the foundation educational content areas along with reading and math. I have searched through and tried several writing curricula before finding one that was a perfect fit for my family. Once I found Writing with Ease, I could honestly say my search for a writing curriculum is over (at least for […]
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Two techniques to teach reading include 1) using phonics to decode words and 2) recognizing whole words by sight. Whole word reading programs have fewer prerequisite skills in comparison to decoding reading programs. CLICK HERE to read an overview of the prerequisite skills for learning to read. This article is a round-up of whole word […]
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Stimulus fading is a procedure where an extra stimulus, like a picture or cue, is used to teach a correct response and then is systematically faded out. Stimulus fading is a research based instructional approach that has been effectively used to teach children to recognize whole words (Birkan, McClannahan, & Krantz, 2007; Cory & Shamow, […]
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Reading comprehension is the ability to process text and understand what it means. CLICK HERE to read about the factors that can influence reading comprehension. This article covers reading comprehension strategies that activate prior knowledge and demonstrate how to process information from the text. This article does NOT cover methods for improving general language comprehension or […]
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Phonics reading curricula teaches children to decode words by recognizing letter combinations and blending sounds together. A quality phonics program will also work on building phonemic awareness. CLICK HERE to read an overview of research regarding phonics reading programs. I personally use an unpublished phonics program to teach decoding skills. This phonics reading curricula review […]
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A phonics based approach to reading instruction will teach children how to decode unfamiliar words. Decoding skills involve 1) recognizing letters, letter combinations, and word patterns, 2) knowing the corresponding sounds for each letter and letter combination, and 3) blending those sounds together to form words. This phonics overview covers the prerequisite skills for learning […]
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Reading fluency is the ability to read at the rate of natural speech. A child’s reading fluency can impact their reading comprehension. A fluent reader processes the visual input of text automatically, allowing them to focus their attention on the meaning of a passage and tie it in to their prior knowledge (Bos & Vaughn, […]
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Dyslexia is a reading disability that results in difficulty learning to read and decode words, but does not affect general intelligence. Symptoms include reading below grade level, difficulty with phonemic awareness, and difficulty with decoding. Parents and teachers of children with dyslexia may notice that literacy activities result in fatigue. Although there seems to be […]
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Some children are just more active, distractible, and impulsive than others. Children with these symptoms may be evaluated for and diagnosed with ADHD. This condition is brain-based and NOT the result of poor parenting or a lack of effort. Children will benefit from adequate exercise and adaptations that meet their attention and movement needs. These ADHD tips […]
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When teaching children to read, using images to support reading is a common practice. Pictures used in the right way can facilitate the development of comprehension skills; however, using pictures can also have an adverse effect. The picture blocking effect can occur when pictures are introduced with new words. Research on the picture blocking effect […]
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