When Do Readers Read to Learn?

We've all heard the mantra....By 4th grade, readers read to learn and learning how to read is not an issue.  With this mantra we're not talking about struggling readers.  However, in this article, researchers are discovering that for many readers this shift is not clear cut at all.  Donna Coch who heads the Reading Brains Lab at Dartmouth College did brain research to find out when automatic word recognition starts.  Automatic word recognition is important because the brain needs resources for comprehension, not word recognition.  Interesting....Read the full article for more details.

Learning to Read May Take Longer Than We Thought. Anya Kamnetz. 7.26.14.  nprED.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/07/26/334967121/learning-to-read-may-take-longer-than-we-thought

Tips for Deeper Reading

In this excellent article, author Rebecca Alber recommends structured opportunities to engage with text in deep and meaningful ways.  She presents 5 great strategies which are described in detail in the article.  You may be familiar with some already, but together, they are powerful!

1. Previewing Text and Vocabulary
2. Reading with a Purpose
3. Marking Text - [ Use sticky notes or bookmarks with writing space on them for materials that cannot be marked.]
4. Making Connections
5. Summarizing

Be sure to read the whole article.  The list of 5 strategies is thoroughly described.  Share with your colleagues the strategy that has worked the best with your Title I studets.

Tools for Teaching:  Developing Active Readers. Rebecca Alber 5.13.13. Edutiopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/developing-active-readers-strategies-rebecca-alber