Trending Topics
The Power of Writing: Boosting Comprehension and Engagement in Reading
Recent research highlights the powerful connection between writing instruction and reading development, showing that integrating writing into literacy education benefits both areas. Engaging students in writing about what they read not only improves their writing skills but also deepens their understanding and retention of the material. This practice fosters critical thinking and helps students draw meaningful connections between texts, ultimately enhancing reading comprehension.
The "Science of Writing" emphasizes explicit, systematic teaching of writing structures, strategies, and conventions. This evidence-based approach parallels the "Science of Reading," focusing on effective methods to develop literacy skills. By combining writing and reading instruction, educators can achieve greater success for students. Implementing research-backed exercises for both skills simultaneously leads to enhanced outcomes in comprehension, critical thinking, and overall academic performance.
Incorporating writing into literacy education provides a holistic approach, reinforcing reading development while building essential writing skills. This integrated method equips students with the tools needed for deeper engagement and long-term literacy success.
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“The Science of Writing: Key to Mastering Reading” - Amplify
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“To Boost Learning, Weave Writing Activities Into Regular Instruction” - Substack
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“Why It’s So Important to Have Students Write About What They Read” - NWEA
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“Evidence-Based Writing Instruction for Young Learners” (podcast) Melissa & Lori Love Literacy
Balancing Conceptual Understanding and Procedural Fluency in Math
The National Research Council’s five strands of mathematical proficiency—conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, and productive disposition—serve as a framework for effective mathematics education. These interconnected strands highlight the importance of developing well-rounded mathematical skills in students.
Teaching both the why (conceptual understanding) and the how (procedural fluency) is critical for developing mathematical proficiency. When students understand the reasoning behind procedures, they can apply knowledge to new contexts, improving problem-solving skills. A balanced approach ensures students don’t merely memorize steps but can think critically, reason logically, and tackle real-world problems effectively. By incorporating the five strands, educators can cultivate confident, capable mathematicians ready for academic and life challenges.
For more on this subject, explore the resources listed below:
Professional Learning
Professional development that is responsive and tailored to the specific needs of teachers and students play a vital role in improving educational outcomes. By recognizing the unique challenges and strengths of teachers and students, such professional development programs can provide targeted support and enhance instructional practices. This individualized approach empowers teachers to acquire new strategies, skills, and knowledge that directly align with their classroom realities, enabling them to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences. A customized professional development approach ensures that teachers are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students, resulting in improved educational experiences and student success. Over the past few years, numerous organizations and researchers have made efforts to identify and consolidate the evidence-based characteristics of effective professional learning. Several resources on this topic include:​​
The Impact of Prior Knowledge on Reading Comprehension
Prior knowledge plays a significant role in reading comprehension. When readers have relevant background knowledge on a topic, it enables them to make connections, activate schema, and better understand the text. By drawing upon their prior knowledge, readers can make predictions, fill in gaps, and interpret the text more effectively. Prior knowledge helps readers engage in critical thinking, analyze information, and make inferences, ultimately enhancing their overall comprehension and retention of the material. To gain a deeper understanding of how background knowledge influences reading comprehension, you can explore the following resources:​
The Critical Link Between Fluency and Comprehension
When readers are fluent, they can effortlessly decode words and recognize them quickly, allowing them to focus on understanding the meaning behind the text. Fluency helps readers maintain a steady pace, recognize phrasing and intonation patterns, and grasp the overall flow of the written language. With improved fluency, readers can allocate more cognitive resources to higher-order comprehension processes, such as making connections, analyzing text structure, and drawing inferences, ultimately enhancing their overall understanding of the material. To learn more about fluency and discover effective strategies for supporting students while engaging readers, click on the following links:​
Student Discourse and Vocabulary Instruction
By developing strong discourse skills, students learn how to effectively communicate, express their ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions. This ability is crucial for academic success, as it helps students analyze complex texts, think critically, and articulate their thoughts clearly. Additionally, a robust vocabulary empowers students to comprehend and express themselves more precisely, enhancing their reading comprehension, writing abilities, and overall communication skills. Teaching student discourse and vocabulary not only equips them with essential tools for academic achievement but also prepares them for success in various personal and professional contexts.​
The Role of Instructional Coaches in Teaching and Learning
Instructional coaches are integral to the improvement of teaching practices and the enhancement of student learning. By providing targeted support, feedback, and professional development to teachers, instructional coaches help educators refine their instructional techniques, implement evidence-based strategies, and adapt to the needs of their students. Coaches serve as a valuable resource, collaborating with teachers to set goals, analyze student data, and develop effective instructional plans. Their expertise and guidance empower teachers to continuously improve their teaching methods, resulting in enhanced student engagement, achievement, and overall educational outcomes. Explore the following resources about specific strategies and approaches effective coaches use to enhance instructional practices. ​​
Science of Reading
The science of reading in education has gained momentum in recent years. It emphasizes evidence-based practices and research findings to inform and improve reading instruction. SoR recognizes the importance of foundational skills such as phonics, phonological awareness, and fluency in developing strong reading abilities. The science of reading promotes a systematic and explicit approach to reading instruction, aiming to empower educators and ultimately enhance literacy outcomes for learners. Delve deeper into the science of reading and the ongoing national transition towards a more structured approach to teaching students how to read. Explore the following resources to expand your knowledge on this subject:​
Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Multilingual Students
Recent research emphasizes the importance of integrating evidence-based strategies to support multilingual students, focusing on their cultural and linguistic strengths while fostering inclusivity. Empowering educators to embrace their own cultural identities enhances their ability to create classrooms that value and celebrate diversity, helping students feel supported and understood.
Approaches like Project GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) effectively teach content and language simultaneously through visual supports, collaborative learning, and scaffolding. This method boosts engagement, comprehension, and participation. Professional development in linguistically responsive teaching equips educators to scaffold academic language, differentiate instruction, and implement translanguaging strategies, which encourage students to use their entire linguistic repertoire.
Secondary multilingual learners benefit from targeted practices, including explicit vocabulary instruction, culturally relevant texts, and student-led discussions to build confidence and academic literacy. Additional best practices, such as culturally sustaining pedagogy, collaborative lesson planning, and frequent formative assessments, ensure instruction is tailored to students' needs.
By adopting these strategies, educators create equitable learning environments, empowering multilingual students to thrive academically and socially. Consider the following resources to deepen your understanding: