Think about how you learn a new word and apply those same principles to your instruction. That is one way I think about instruction, the second (and more important) is through research (more on that later). When it comes to vocabulary, I learn best when I have a dictionary and thesaurus present, find the clues in the surrounding sentences and paragraphs, read an example given to me, break it down into different parts, and then have a variety of opportunities to use it in my d

Readers need a toolbox full of tools for them to use to enable them to understand whatever they read (assigned or not) to the best of their ability. That's where the teachers come in - it's our job to show them these tools so that they can be successful in their other classes, apply these principles to their higher education pursuits, be good Bereans as they read their Bible, learn well at whatever job they undertake, or simply share what they learn with others. A simple proc

An important aspect to teach readers is how to self-monitor their misunderstandings. Good readers have a few fix-it strategies in their toolbox that help them understand difficult text. The good news is that we all experience difficult text, the trick is to find a strategy that helps unlock the comprehension potential. I am always telling my struggling readers this truth, Everyone struggles. Even good readers struggle. The fact that you're struggling proves that you're a livi