Tag Archives: literacy

This piece originally appeared in the Huffington Post on May 29, 2012. When it comes to learning to read well, the U.S. is locked in a stubborn cycle of conflict. Recall the infamous “reading wars” of the 1980’s and 90’s between advocates of phonics and those of the whole language methodology. The U.S. commissioned a National Reading Panel (NRP) which set forth key guidelines to help settle policy, distribute funding, and inform practice. However, there remains disagreement that a laser focus on…

Is that a poem in your pocket? What was your favorite poem from childhood? Do you, like me, occasionally shudder with the echoes of an older brother who could recite “For Sale” from memory? Does a poem evoke fond childhood memories like a shared memory between siblings, as it does for Research Fellow Sarah Vaala? Whatever your connection, poems have the ability to engage us all with a long tail effect.   Today is national Poem in Your Pocket day.…

A brief message from our friends at Reading Rockets and AdLit.org who are working with the Library of Congress and the Ad Council to help support the Explore New Worlds. Read. It has been 100 years since Edgar Rice Burroughs first introduced readers to Tarzan and “John Carter” — a hero whose Martian adventure hits the big screen this month in the new Disney film of the same name. Give K-12 readers the chance to learn more about Edgar Rice Burroughs and…

Rebecca Herr Stephenson, Cooney Center fellow, has been in the New York office for a few days this week working with the Research team on the e-book QuickStudy out at the New York Hall of Science. We were thrilled that she brought a copy of her newly released book, Teaching Harry Potter: The Power of Imagination in Multicultural Classrooms, which she co-authored with Catherine L. Belcher. The authors interview teachers who choose to teach Harry Potter in their classrooms and…

We’re pleased to help our friends at Reading Rockets spread the word about their great new mobile site. But even beyond the great content that the site provides, they’re also offering the chance to win some great prizes, including an iPod Nano. Rachael Walker shares more information on the new mobile website and how to win below: For more than ten years, Reading Rockets has been spreading the word about research-based reading instruction and offering the latest information on what…

Scholastic has a 90-year history of helping kids learn to read and encouraging them to love to read. A recent New York Times editorial asks, “Should we be alarmed?” about the availability of e-books. I would respond, quickly and succinctly, no — and yes. No—because at Scholastic, we are committed to meeting kids where they are. If they are reading traditionally or electronically, they have the opportunity to be informed and inspired by the power of the book. When we…

Occasionally, those of us who work in digital media can get so caught up in the excitement of exploring the “new literacies” that make up our 21st century educational landscape, that it can be easy to lose sight of the fundamental problem of not being able to read. The truth is, for both children and adults, illiteracy is still a major issue worldwide. According to LitWorld, “nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or…

In today’s information-obese world, book reading has become a refuge from my click-happy, easily distracted, multitask-ery. But as books extend their reach into the digital landscape through the Kindle, iPad and the new Barnes & Noble Nook, I have to wonder: Does a book by any other platform still smell as sweet? The Internet and digital media have often been blamed for the decline of children’s interest in reading books. In a 2007 report by the National Endowment for the…

I was asked by the Cooney Center to share my thoughts about winning this year’s Prize for Breakthroughs in Literacy Learning: Innovate with The Electric Company. When I found out we won, I immediately called my wife and kids to let them know. I have four kids and the three oldest — Hannah (7), Isaac (5) and Josh (3) — are huge, I mean really huge, Electric Company fans. My youngest, Gabriella (1), is too young for TV, but I’m…

39 Clues, Book 10 will be released on August 31, 2010, and kids can converge for a live Q&A with the series’ authors from all 10 books. This highly interactive series includes online and mobile games and is a good model for inspiring kids to enjoy reading.  Tune in today — August 31, 2010 at 4pm EST for the live Q&A Download related classroom resources