The supernatural has always held an important place in western literature. But there is something really special about reading these works during the right season. When, as James Whitcomb Riley says, “the frost in on the punkin,” gothic and supernatural …
The process of learning to read has many stages and facets which vary among individual learners. As children advance through the elementary grades and, in fact, throughout their entire lives, they will continue to develop their reading fluency. Reading Rockets …
We can always improve. As friends, colleagues, significant others, and definitely as parents and teachers. Gone (thankfully) are the days of do it “because I said so.” More and more, we are beginning to understand the psychology of our children …
It is human nature to want we are told we should not have. Adolescents in particular are intrigued by things that are “bad” or off-limits. Academically, we can use the “forbidden fruits” of literature to inspire readers. Banned and challenged …
For many students, reading is challenging enough during the school year, let alone over the summer when it’s not a requirement. But there are great benefits to be reaped from a willingness to read over summer vacation: Build the skill: …
1611. 1729. 1847. When connected to reading passages, these are frightening dates. They are, in fact, the publication dates of Macbeth, A Modest Proposal and Jane Eyre, all of which have appeared in classrooms and on standardized tests. If you …
Little in American culture represents spring the way baseball does. It doesn’t just represent spring, though. It’s an inextricable part of the season in this country. At this time of year, with the days getting longer and the temperature rising, …
On my desk right now is a book titled Four Days to Glory: Wrestling with the Soul of the American Heartland. I don’t plan to read it. In fact, I don’t even like wrestling. It’s on my desk waiting for …
When it comes to reading comprehension, there are so many terms being bandied about out there that sound amazing. “Active reading” is one of them, and like most of these phrases, it’s easy to say but harder to do. What …
The first time I visited the website Shmoop.com, I was dumbfounded. I come from the era of those striped yellow Cliff’s notes. Back then, when you wanted to half-do your reading assignment, you had to physically go to a bookstore …