Learning Disabilities

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Learning Disabilities DOCUMENT RESUME ED 315 739 CS 009 945 AUTHOR Johns, Jerry; Krickeberg, Sandy TITLE Post-Secondary Developmental Reading. Focused Access to Selected Topics (FAST) Bibliography No. 43. INSTITUTION ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills, Bloomington, IN. SPONS AGENCY Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. PUB DATE Mar 90 CONTRACT RI88062001 NOTE 5p. PUB TYPE Information Analyses - ERIC Information Analysis Products (071) -- Reference Materials - Bibliographies (131) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Annotated Bibliographies; Higher Education; Learning Disabilities; *Reading Difficulties; *Reading Instruction; *Reading Processes; Reading Research; *Reading Strategies; *Remedial Reading; *Study Skills; Two Year Colleges ABSTRACT Intended to provide current sources of information about college reading selected from the many citations of material in the ERIC database, this 22-item bibliography offers research about college reading, the reading process, and strategies of instruction. The bibliography also includes references to discussions of specific content area study skills, and to problems of students with special needs. The selections date from 1986 through 1988. (SR) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EMS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *******w*************************************************************** Focused Access to Selected Topics No. 43 a FAST Bib by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills Post-Secondary Developmental Reading by Jerry Johns and Sandy Krickeberg At the post-secondary level, educators face a di-Overview and Research verse student population that, in addition to the Collins-Eiland, Karen; and others. "Effects of traditional student, includes students with special Conversational Noise, Locus of Control, and needs such as learning disabilities. To meet this range of abilities, the reading process must be Field Dependence/Independence on the Per- formance of Academic Tasks," Contemporary thoroughly understood. The purpose of the FAST Educational Psychology, v11 n2 p139-49 Apr Bib is to provide sources of information about col- 1986. lege reading. The references pertain to research about college reading, the reading process, Evaluates the effects of conversational noise on and/or strategies for instruction. Also included the comprehension/retention of 2000-word text ex- are references to discussions of specific content cerpts. Describes an experiment in which students area study skills, as well as students with particu- studied under noise conditions and under nonno- lar special needs. ise conditions. Reports no significant differences between groups but identifies subgroups that Two types of citations are included in this bibli- showed significant differences. ographycitations to ERIC documents and cita- tions to journal articles. The distinction between Goetz, Ernest T.; and others. "The Author's Role the two is important only if you are interested in in Cueing Strategic Processing of College obtaining the full text of any of these items. To ob- Textbooks," Reading Research and Instruc- tain the full text of ERIC documents, you will tion, v27 n1 p1-11 Fall 1987. need the ED number given in square brackets fol- Examines the nature and prevalence of author- lowing the citation. For approximately 98% of the provided cues to effective processing of introduc- ERIC documents, the full text can be found in the tory college textbooks in psychology and biology. ERIC microfiche collection. This collection is avail- Concludes that the authors of the texts chose cues able in over 800 libraries across the country. Alter- that would be effective even with relatively pas- natively, you may prefer to order your own copy sive learners and rarely chose cues that demanded of the document from the ERIC Document Repro- much activity from readers. duction Service (EDRS). You can contact EDRS by Hunter, Paul; Pearce, Nadine. "Writing, Read- writing to 3900 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, Vir- ing, and Gender," Journal of Developmental ginia 22304, or by telephoning them at (800) 227- Education, v12 n1 p20-22, 24-26 Sep 1988. 3742 or (703) 823-0500. Reviews research on sex differences in lan- Full text copies of journal articles are not avail- guage use. Describes a study of the language pat- able in the ERIC microfiche collection or through terns of female college students in basic, writing or EDRS. Articles can be acquired most economically freshman composition. Addresses instructional from library collections or through interlibrary implications. Reviews relevant reading theories, loan. Articles from some journals are also avail- discusses the relationship between women's lan- able through University Microfilms International guage patterns and their reading scblmata, and at (800) 732-0616 or through the Original Article recommends novels for remedial women readers. Tearsheet Service of the Institute for Scientific In- Hynd, Cynthia R.; and others. "Computers in U.I . DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION formation at (800) 523-1850. Othc e o, Educational Rematch and Improvement theCollege Reading Program: A Basic EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (E21(;) Primer." College Reading and Learning Assis- U This document has been reproduced as tance Technical Report 86-05. 1986. 18p. [ED received from the person or organization originating 269 753] LI Minor changes have bean made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions staled in thisdocu ERIC/RCS FAST Bib No. 43 Post-Secondary Developmental Reading Page 2 Explains a categorization scheme to use while to construct the main idea of an essay. Concludes reviewing and evaluating computer programs. De- that teacher modeling and concrete examples are scribes the types of programs pertinent to the important to all levels of instruction, kindergarten needs of college reading instructors. Suggests that through university senior. organization of curriculum and goals of instruc- Randall, Alice; and others. "Using Think-Aloud tion should be considered. Provides guidelines for Protocols Diagnostically with College Read- evaluating program needs as well as software be- fore purchasing new computer materials. Includes ers," Reading Research and Instruction, v25 a software evaluation sheet and list of technical n4 p240-53 Sum 1986. reports. Outlines procedures used in an investigation of Reed, Keflyn X. "Expectation vs. Ability: Junior college students' thinking aloud protocols and dis- cusses the framework developed for differentiat- College Reading Skills." 1988. 9p. [ED 295 ing student-text interactions and identifying the 706] common problems of less able comprehenders. Describes a study conducted at a junior college Suggests ways to use protocols to look into the designed to determine whether students' percep- ways students comprehend texts, to identify com- tions of their reading abilities could be used to prehension problems, and to find cues for subse- predict their actual reading skills. Finds that quent instruction. students' perceptions of their skill levels were sta- Smith, Brenda D.; and others. "The Effect of Im- tistically independent of their actual skill levels. agery Instruction on Vocabulary Develop- Stahl, Norman A.; and others. "The Materials of ment."CollegeReadingandLearning College Reading Instruction: A Critical and Assistance Technical Report No. 87-05. 1987. Historical Perspective from 50 Years of Con- 23p. [ED 291076] tent Analysis Research." College Reading and Explores the usefulness of imagery as a learn- Learning Assistance Technical Report 87-03. ing tool in a classroom situation. Investigates 1987.40p. [ED 296 281] whether a visual image has an additive effect on Focuses on research from the mid 1920s to the the recall of definitions of previously unknown En- mid-1980s, examining the published content anal- glish words. Determines whether providingan yses of college reading texts from the standpoint of image portraying the definition of the word pro- which methods were used, specific information moted more effective learning. Finds that the presented in respective content analyses, and ob- group which received definition, sentence, and vi- served trend; in content presentation that have sual image performed significantly better than the emerged since the mid-1920s. Reveals the follow- first group receiving only the definition, indicating ing conclusions: (1) a consensus across texts as to that visual imagery can be used successfully as what constituted effective study methods did not part of an instructional technique in vocabulary exist; (2) research evidence for most of the advo- development programs at the college level. cated techniques was missing; (3) adequate in- Stephens, Elaine C.; and others. "The Cloze Pro- st:uction and practice for presented skills and cedureasPredictorofUndergraduate subskills were limited in scope and validity; (4) Achievement in Introductory Courses." 1986. the transfer value of many practice activities to 7p. [ED 285 134] actual postsecondary reading and study tasks was in question; and (5) reliance on impressionistic ev- Investigates the adaptability of the doze proce- idence rather than research and statistical evi- dure for use in undergraduate courses, specifically dence was the norm. examining the relationship betw doze perfor- mance tests end student achievement. Indicates a Reading Process and Strategies moderately strong association between
Recommended publications
  • RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONLINE READING RATES and PERFORMANCE on PROFICIENCY TESTS Nawal Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Othman Email: [email protected]
    120 The Reading Matrix Vol.3. No.3, November 2003 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONLINE READING RATES AND PERFORMANCE ON PROFICIENCY TESTS Nawal Mohamed AbdulRahman Al-Othman Email: [email protected] Abstract ________________ This article examines the relationship between online reading speed rates and performance on proficiency tests, given the proliferating use of the Internet. The study involved twenty-five post-graduate students enrolled in an ESL Course at the Private Center for Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Kuwait and who are also involved in postgraduate studies. Twelve were familiar with the computer while others were not. Tools used included a background questionnaire to tap into readers’ online accessing of reading materials and their computer familiarity, the Online Speed Reading Test, and a simulated TOEFL Reading Subtest . The main finding of this study is that high rates of reading speeds are positively correlated with good performance on the CBT TOEFL subtest of Reading Comprehension. A correlation co-efficient assessed between the statistics of high-speed readers and high performance rates of subjects of the study reached 0.92. The results of this study suggest that designers of online information should consider that reading online is slower than on paper, which may affect performance on proficiency assessments. __________________ I. Introduction Reading is becoming more and more important in the new knowledge economy and remains the most effective human activity for transforming information into knowledge, be it reading on paper or from the screen. The significance of reading as a major skill and of its sub-skills is attested for so that academic goals need to be pursued right from the beginning in second-and foreign-language classroom settings, especially if the students are expected to be involved in later academic pursuits at advanced levels such as reading abstract materials, getting down to key ideas from lectures, writing critiques, and summaries, and so on and so forth (Richard-Amato, 1996).
    [Show full text]
  • Warning Signs of Dyslexia
    Warning Signs of Dyslexia Preschool at First Baptist Church School • Delayed speech • Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words • Chronic ear infections • Severe reactions to childhood illnesses • Constant confusion of left vs. right • Late establishing a dominant hand • Difficulty learning to tie shoes • Trouble memorizing address, phone number, alphabet • Can’t create words that rhyme • Has a close relative with dyslexia Elementary • Dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting, difficult to read) • Letter or number reversals continuing past end of first grade • Slow, choppy, inaccurate reading • Difficulty with spelling and memorizing sight words • Trouble telling time • Struggles to find the correct word when speaking • Messy bedroom, backpack, desk • Dreads going to school Highschool - Adult All of the above plus… • Limited vocabulary and poor written expression Ann Kleine, M.Ed., LDT, CALT, QI • Unable to master a foreign language Discovery Learning Lab Director • Difficulty reading printed music Email [email protected] • Poor grades, may drop out of high school • Slow reader, may have to read same passage repeat- 533 Ockley Drive providing one-on-one remediation for edly to understand Shreveport, LA 71106 students with Dyslexia and other • Difficulty putting thoughts onto paper Phone 318-869-2361 language differences • Difficulty with right vs. left and poor sense of direction Visit us at www.fbcschool.org TheTheThe ContentContentContent ofof of ProgramProgram Program PrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciples ofof of InstructionInstruction
    [Show full text]
  • Dyslexia Or Ld in Reading: What Is the Difference?
    DYSLEXIA OR LD IN READING: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Anise Flowers & Donna Black, Pearson Dyslexia or LD in Reading? TCASE 2017 Image by Photographer’s Name (Credit in black type) or Image by Photographer’s Name (Credit in white type) International Dyslexia Association Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by Dyslexia or LD in Reading: What difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word is the Difference? recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of Presented by effective classroom instruction. Secondary Anise Flowers, Ph.D. Donna Black, LSSP consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience TCASE that can impede growth of vocabulary and January 2017 background knowledge. Presentation Title Arial Bold 7 pt 1 2 Dyslexia Identification and Services in Texas Dyslexia Definition (in Texas) Texas Education Code (TEC)§38.003 defines Texas Education Code (TEC)§38.003 definition: dyslexia and mandates testing and the provision of 1. “Dyslexia” means a disorder of constitutional instruction origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts rules and read, write, or spell, despite conventional standards for administering testing and instruction instruction, adequate intelligence, and TEC §7.028(b) relegates responsibility for school sociocultural opportunity. compliance to the local school board 2. “Related disorders” include disorders similar to or 19 (TAC)§74.28 outlines responsibilities of districts related to dyslexia such as developmental auditory and charter schools in the delivery of services to imperceptions, dysphasia, specific developmental students with dyslexia dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, §504, establishes developmental spelling disability.
    [Show full text]
  • Really Great Reading for Students with Dyslexia
    Really Great Reading for Students with Dyslexia Really Great Reading’s Phonics Suite for reading connected text.” The Really Great Reading approach contains critical, evidence-based components contains three research-based programs of dyslexia instruction. Our explicit, systematic, engaging, for teaching foundational reading multisensory, and developmentally appropriate programs skills to emerging and beginning teach students the key skills they need to become efficient and accurate decoders, which ultimately leads readers: Countdown (Kindergarten), to their success not only in Blast Foundations (Grade 1), and HD …instruction for word identification, but Word (Grades 2-12). There are also two students with dyslexia also in comprehending what they read. programs, Phonics Boost and Phonics Blitz, should be systematic and cumulative, specifically designed for older emerging The International Dyslexia explicit, and include Association (2015) also states or struggling readers in Grades 3-12 that diagnostic teaching. that instruction for students require a slower teaching pace and more with dyslexia should be targeted practice with both phonemic systematic and cumulative, explicit, and include diagnostic teaching. Our instruction is systematic, explicit, and awareness and phonics concept tasks. multisensory. Student practice is cumulative and controlled. HD Word is also appropriate for older The easier, more foundational skills of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness (specifically segmenting students who need to quickly fill in gaps and
    [Show full text]
  • Open a World of Possible: Real Stories About the Joy and Power of Reading © 2014 Scholastic 5 Foreword
    PEN OA WORLD OF POssIBLE Real Stories About the Joy and Power of Reading Edited by Lois Bridges Foreword by Richard Robinson New York • Toronto • London • Auckland • Sydney Mexico City • New Delhi • Hong Kong • Buenos Aires DEDICATION For all children, and for all who love and inspire them— a world of possible awaits in the pages of a book. And for our beloved friend, Walter Dean Myers (1937–2014), who related reading to life itself: “Once I began to read, I began to exist.” b Credit for Charles M. Blow (p. 40): From The New York Times, January 23 © 2014 The New York Times. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content without written permission is prohibited. Credit for Frank Bruni (p. 218): From The New York Times, May 13 © 2014 The New York Times. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content without written permission is prohibited. Scholastic grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible pages from this book for classroom use. No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Cover Designer: Charles Kreloff Editor: Lois Bridges Copy/Production Editor: Danny Miller Interior Designer: Sarah Morrow Compilation © 2014 Scholastic Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • DISES 2018 Denton Reading RULES
    Supplemental Reading Instruction Delivered by Classroom Teachers to Children with Reading Difficulties and Disabilities Carolyn Denton, Ph.D. Council for Exceptional Children Division of International Special Education and Services Cape Town, South Africa July 4, 2018 With thanks to Rebecca Beegle for the use of her slides Learning to Read and Spell in English • There are about 44 distinct speech sounds in English (phonemes) • There are about 250 ways of writing them • Many sounds can be spelled in more than one way: babe, day, rain, eight, vacant, grey, gauge, great, vein, reggae (or gaelic) • Many letters or letter combinations can represent more than one sound: beach, bread; now, yellow • Some sound-spellings are much more common than others ☺ Reading Difficulties and Disabilities • The most common type of reading disability is dyslexia: impaired word reading ability • A language-based disorder; not related to vision • Linked to impaired phonemic awareness; the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds of language • In English and other languages with many irregular sound- symbol correspondences, dyslexia is characterized mainly by inaccurate and slow reading of words presented in lists. • In languages with more regular sound-symbol correspondences, dyslexia is characterized mainly by poor reading fluency. Reading Difficulties and Disabilities • Non-instructional treatment strategies are not effective. • The same approach works for students with reading difficulties and those with diagnosed reading disabilities What is effective? 4
    [Show full text]
  • Utilising Voice Recognition Software to Improve Reading Fluency of Struggling Adolescent Readers
    Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 2016 Utilising voice recognition software to improve reading fluency of struggling adolescent readers Peter Count Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Educational Methods Commons Recommended Citation Count, P. (2016). Utilising voice recognition software to improve reading fluency of struggling adolescent readers. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1799 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1799 Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 2016 Utilising voice recognition software to improve reading fluency of struggling adolescent readers Peter Count Edith Cowan University Recommended Citation Count, P. (2016). Utilising voice recognition software to improve reading fluency of struggling adolescent readers. Retrieved from http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1799 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1799 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
    [Show full text]
  • Reading: a Study Guide
    t DOCUMENT RESUME ED 075 811 CS 000 534 AUTHOR Laughter, Mabel Y. TITLE Introduction to Reading: A Study Guide. PUB DATE 72 NOTE 349p.; Unpublished study t EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$13.16 DESCRIPTORS *Annotated Bibliographies; College Students; Content t Reading; Developmental Reading; Grouping (Instructional Purposes); *Literature Reviews; *Reading; Reading Development; *Reading Itruction; Reading Materials; Reading Processes; Rea( tig Research; Reading Skills; *Reference Materials; Remedial Reading; Teacher Education ABSTRACT Intended as an aid to college students in reading, this reference guide is composed of eight major topics for the study of reading instruction: overview of the reading process, prerequisites for success in reading, development of reading power and efficiency, reading in the content fields, grouping for instruction, teaching methodology and materials, appraisal of reading development, and readers with special needs. An additional category is provided for those research summaries and bibliographies which apply to reading instruction in general. Each major topic is subdivided into its component elements with further division when necessary for, understanding. TI" reference entries for each subtopic are catalogued according to the type of literature available--reviews and summaries of research and bibliographies, research studies, and theoretical discussions. A bibliographic author index is also included in the documeAt. (Author /TO) U 5 OEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EOU:ATION WELF ARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EOUCATION DOCQh.+E%- AS BEEN REPRO D.JCE0 EXAC'LY A$ ECE ivED .ROM ,HE PEPSON OPGAN,ZA.ON OR.GtN T pC,,T,T$OF OPiN ON5 40-NECESSAR,LY REPRE STATED DO OF SENT OF F,C,AL NATIONAL EOJCATiON POST.O% ORPO,;C, FILMED FROM BEST AVAILABLE COPY INTRODUCTION TO READING: A STUDY GUIDE Mabel Y.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading Step by Step
    Reading Step by Step Reading Step by Step. Mona McNee. 1990. 0951579401, 9780951579404. M. McNee, 1990. file download rupe.pdf Explores the question of literacy among American school children, arguing that the common look-and-say method of teaching reading is ineffective and advocating the traditional. STANFORD:36105032673365. Education. Rudolf Franz Flesch. 191 pages. Why Johnny still can't read. 1981. a new look at the scandal of our schools ISBN:9780980200447. 80 pages. John Miedema. 2009. Literary Criticism. "A study of voluntary slow reading from diverse angles"--Provided by publisher. Slow Reading by Recounts the case of Barbara Stager, a seemingly devoted wife and community member whose murder of her husband was nearly ruled an accident until chilling evidence, including. A True Story of Money, Marriage, Sex, and Murder. Jerry Bledsoe. ISBN:0451406095. 445 pages. True Crime. Before He Wakes. 1996 Step 340 pages. Providing an up-to-date discussion of the issues affecting primary science, this edition focuses on both the role of the class teacher and of the school in making provision for. The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools. 2009. Wynne Harlen, Anne Qualter. Education. ISBN:9780415465274 Children with mental disabilities. Teaching Trainable Level Students to Read Unconjugated Verbs on Video-tape. WISC:89105674162. Harriet Fay Giler. 48 pages. 1972 pdf 318 pages. Laura Robb. Education. Teaching Reading in Middle School. ISBN:0590685600. In this resource, you'll get the "big picture" of teaching reading in the middle school, including research, as well as the practical details you need to help every student. 2000 Reading Step by Step pdf 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.5 Fluency: Best Advice Learning Improvement
    1.5 | BEST ADVICE | LEADING LEARNING IMPROVEMENT DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT Fluency requires background knowledge of the material being read, rapid retrieval of the relevant vocabulary, and knowledge of syntax and grammatical forms that allow the reader to predict upcoming words to assist speed and accuracy. Fluency Deslea Konza, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education and Arts, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia ‘The goal in fluency instruction is not fast reading, although that happens to be a by-product of the instruction, but fluent meaning-filled reading’ (Rasinski, International Reading Association, 2002, p.5). What is fluency? Kuhn & Stahl, 2013; Kuhn & Rasinski, 2014; Kim, 2015; Young et al, 2016). The most compelling reason for this renewed Fluency is the ability to read text accurately, quickly and interest is because of the strong correlation between with expression. It occurs without conscious effort when reading fluency and reading comprehension (Schreiber, all the component skills of reading are in place so the 1980; Allington, 1983; Samuels, 1988; Pikulski & Chard, 2005; reader can focus on the meaning of a text. Fluent readers Wilson, 2011; Rasinski, 2012; Kim, 2015; Clemens et al, 2016). can maintain their skill over very long periods of time and The link is so close that fluency and comprehension can can generalise across texts. be seen as interdependent. Fluency can only occur if the reader comprehends the material as it is read in order to pause and phrase groups of words appropriately. Why fluency matters Similarly, if reading is hesitant and disjointed, meaning The achievement of oral reading fluency marks an is lost.
    [Show full text]
  • Slow Reading by John Miedema
    Slow Reading by John Miedema . Duluth, MN: Litwin Books, 2009. 92pp. ISBN 978-0-9802004-4-7. Fast! The speed of life seems to rule our world today. Fast food, fast cars, fast connections, instant communication, instant gratification…time races forward, technology races forward, and we race to keep up. Social commentators, psychologists, and educators decry the cost of the sped-up world on our abilities to focus and perform tasks that require time and concentration. Nicholas Carr (2008) describes his own experiences in his article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”: I’m not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading. Immersing myself in a book or lengthy article used to be easy…That’s rarely the case anymore. Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle. Several movements are now questioning the wisdom of life in a constant fast lane, proposing alternatives that bring satisfaction at a slower pace. Groups advocating slow food, slow travel, slow parenting, slow sex, slow art, and other slow movement activities champion the benefits of more deliberation and reflection in our everyday lives. In his book Slow Reading , author John Miedema presents the title concept as a spectrum of voluntary actions that readers of all levels and tastes can use to increase their pleasure and comprehension, while examining its development and numerous facets.
    [Show full text]
  • At a Loss for Words How a Flawed Idea Is Teaching Millions of Kids to Be Poor Readers
    At a Loss for Words How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers Rachel Sender for APM Reports For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't know there's anything wrong with it. by Emily Hanford Read this story on the web and Listen to the audio documentary on follow footnote links: the Educate podcast: apmreports.org/reading educatepodcast.org Molly Woodworth was a kid who seemed to do well at everything: good grades, in the gifted and talented program. But she couldn't read very well. "There was no rhyme or reason to reading for me," she said. "When a teacher would dictate a word and say, 'Tell me how you think you can spell it,' I sat there with my mouth open while other kids gave spellings, and I thought, 'How do they even know where to begin?' I was totally lost." Woodworth went to public school in Owosso, Michigan, in the 1990s. She says sounds and letters just didn't make sense to her, and she doesn't remember anyone teaching her how to read. So she came up with her own strategies to get through text. Strategy 1: Memorize as many words as possible. "Words were like pictures to me," she said. "I had a really good memory." Strategy 2: Guess the words based on context. If she came across a word she didn't have in her visual memory bank, she'd look at the first letter and come up with a word that seemed to make sense.
    [Show full text]