Why Blog


I’m passionate about finding ways to simplify comprehension instruction and learning. I’m concerned that we are defining comprehension too narrowly as an accumulation of five or six meta-cognitive strategies when cultivating comprehension involves so much more than that. We need to help children acquire accurate fluent reading skills and strategies; build background knowledge; develop their oral language and vocabulary; make reading-writing connections, and acquire a repertoire of meta-cognitive strategies to use as and if needed.


So I invite you to join me in blogging about this ever-so-important topic. I look forward to hearing your ideas, teaching strategies, book recommendations, classroom stories, etc., basically anything that will inspire a healthy conversation among colleagues.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Picture Walks, KWL, and DRTA…And the Winner Is...! (An Interview with Dr. Kay Stahl)


I can’t wait to share this Voice of Literacy podcast with you. I’d listened to it when it was first broadcast in 2009, but stumbled across it again today while cleaning out files. It’s called “Picture Walks, KWL, and DRTA.” Dr. Kay Stahl discusses her research in comparing these three methods of guiding small groups of readers through text. Very interesting and informative as are all Voice of Literacy podcasts.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Matt Damon Speaks Out for Teachers


Here's an article/video that was sent to me last night by a parent of two delightful and former students—Gillian and Michael. In Laura’s own words about actor and activist Matt Damon’s speech this weekend at a Save Our Schools DC rally: “It’s so nice to know that someone with a high profile ‘gets it’.” Now if only we could convince our president and other policy makers that excessive testing is doing our students and our profession a huge disservice. Enjoy.
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