reading instruction

A Reading Expert’s Case for Rethinking Fluency

by

In an era where fluency is often hailed as the pinnacle of reading instruction, a renowned reading expert challenges established beliefs. Drawing from research and extensive experience, Dr. Emily Hanford posits that our relentless focus on speed and accuracy may be obscuring deeper reading comprehension issues. She argues that genuine fluency encompasses not just the ability to decode words but also to engage cognitively with the text, making inferences, connecting ideas, and critically analyzing content.

Hanford’s compelling case prompts us to reassess our definition of fluency and reframe our instructional practices. She advocates for a balanced approach that fosters both technical proficiency and critical thinking skills. By embracing this broader perspective, we can empower students to become truly literate individuals, capable of navigating complex texts with comprehension, engagement, and joy.

Reading Skills Are in Sharp Decline. Rescuing Them Won’t be Easy.

by

In the realm of literacy, a sobering crisis looms as reading skills plummet to perilous depths. A child’s ability to navigate the written word, once a cornerstone of education, has become an endangered species.

Like a ship lost at sea, educators struggle to chart a course towards rescued, grappling with a vast and turbulent ocean of digital distractions and ever-diminishing attention spans. As the storm rages on, the beacon of literacy remains elusive, its light rapidly fading in the face of an apathetic society.

The tragedy of declining reading skills extends far beyond the schoolhouse. It shakes the foundations of our civic fabric, threatening to silence the voices of the underprivileged and erode the pillars of critical thinking. Rescuing reading is not merely an academic endeavor; it is a moral imperative, one that holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for all who navigate the written sea.