Australia’s Reading Fail: Grattan’s damning report of our literacy landscape
Australia has a reading problem......but it doesn't need to.
Our Founder and Literacy Specialist, Tanya Grambower, says, "This is nothing new, it's something we've known for years. In fact, it is precisely why we started our business. As a teacher and a parent I get so frustrated that our Education Departments can't see the wood for the trees. ...
Read Aloud to Boost Comprehension
Research proves conclusively that one simple activity — reading aloud to children — is the best way to prepare them for learning to read and to keep them reading as they grow.
Whether you're a new teacher seeking guidance, a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas or a parent, let's look at the value of reading aloud ~ we think it's really valuable from Pre-K through ...
6 Sure Fire Strategies to Make Writing Fun
Welcome back to the school year! Student engagement is key at the beginning of the year – it helps to set the tone. As you start with your class, how can you engage those reluctant writers (or any student who has a challenge with getting their ideas onto paper)? There are some ideas that you can get up and running immediately to boost engagement and get those desired outcomes and entice s...
Reaching Struggling Readers and Reader Anxiety
There really is no better way to open doors than through literacy. And it's not just reading - it's access to knowledge and it's access to a future.
We can't exaggerate the importance of learning to read, nor can we exaggerate the challenges that people have to overcome when they are not proficient readers.
As we start the new year, I want to continue to advocate for and work...
Classroom Refresh and Routines: 5 Tips
We hope that our teachers enjoyed time with family with friends and that you had the chance to rest and recharge.
How do I use an online literacy program (successfully!) at home with my child?
Welcome back! It is the start of a new school year which can bring excitement and trepidation for students. After the long summer break, many parents will want their kids to 'switch on' to Term 1 learning. As you know, reading is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in all school subjects.
Does your son require some level of literacy or reading support? P...
School’s out. Should You be Concerned about ‘Summer Slide’?
If you have school-age children, you may have heard of the “summer slide,” a phenomenon in which students lose some of the learning they achieved in the previous school year over the extended summer break.
Explaining Reading: Inferring
#4. Inferring
Inferring is notoriously difficult for students. The data from our literacy programs consistently show that kids struggle with this concept.
Inferring is the ability to "read between the lines" or to "get the meaning" that the author implies, but does not state directly. No wonder our students find it tricky.
Inferring dominates virtually all compr...
Explaining Reading: Imaging
#3. Imaging
A distinguishing skill of good comprehenders is that they respond to the descriptive text they read. They create pictures, or visual representations, in their minds.
Like so much of comprehension, imaging is something that good readers seem to do "naturally'. To these students, reading is like watching a movie ~ they use their imagination to create a me...
Explaining Reading: Monitoring and Questioning
#2. Monitoring & Questioning
Comprehension is an active cycle of mental activity. Last week we discussed Predicting ~ but this is only the beginning process of seeking meaning. The cycle continues as students move into the text.
Basically, they monitor, question and, if necessary, they abandon the prediction they made earlier and form new predictions.
Monitor...
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