COLLECTING MULTISYLLABIC WORDS

The Word Collector, by Peter H. Reynolds, is a joyous introduction to the charms of discovering, savoring and sharing new words.

Advanced Phonics - Beyond Simple Sound-Symbol Correspondence

Beyond Simple Sound-Symbol Correspondence

Some struggling intermediate-grade readers have difficulty believing us when we try to teach them advanced phonics rules.

MAKING SENSE OF COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURES and UNUSUAL USES OF EVERYDAY VOCABULARY

“Sailing Through Sentences”

A crucial area of reading skill - one that trips up many intermediate readers - is the complex sentence structures that they begin to encounter in fourth, fifth and sixth-grade level books.  

COMPREHENSION STRUGGLES: USING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

"Whirligigs in the Back Yard"

Some students struggle to utilize their own prior knowledge.

SETTING GOALS: KEEPING EYES ON THE PRIZE

When teaching struggling upper grade readers, having grade-level goals in mind at all times helps keep progress on track. 

THE SECRET IN THE STRUGGLING READER

I always wanted to be Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew.  When I was a kid, my best friend Cheri and I spent hours reading detective stories.  Our favorites were Trixie Belden by Julie Campbell and Katheryn Kenny and Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene. We scoured our suburban backyards and the nearby woods for mysteries.