A few months ago, I had occasion to correspond and speak with Lisa Hanifan, who by her own admission, was an “angry teacher” and a mom who later “felt guilty as a parent.” You see, Ms. Hanifan didn’t know what she didn’t know. My colleague, Lisa, has NOTHING to feel guilty about—neither as a teacher …
For some students, even able ones, reading is just “too much” work. A little parable is then offered in support of teaching literacy skills efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with what we now know about how the human brain learns to read–in other words–aligned to The Science of Reading. HERE IS THE STORY — EVERYONE …
Is it YOUR or YOUR CHILD’s Enemy too? I am downsizing, moving, and relocating to another state in just a couple of weeks. So you know the story. These are the file cabinets that were once filled with paper—stuff from my home, stuff from my job(s), stuff from my kids. I suspect NO ONE will …
I love sharing stories. That’s why I received a gift of a ‘storyteller poster’ which hangs in my office. And that’s why I continued to receive gifts relating to storytelling over the years. Image by Lori Josephson I used to talk with my students, all of whom had dyslexia to greater or lesser extents, about …
Going Back To School Is Like A Roller Coaster…Especially On the First Day! Read More »
HELP ME PROCESS..TOUCH MY HAND My friend and colleague, Pam Kanfer, recently passed away after a long illness. I took Pam’s passing very hard—and still do. She was so important to so many people, especially to children, whether her own, her relatives, her children’s friends, or her students. Pam’s friend (and now colleague–keep reading), Holly …
I recently read a novel entitled The Measure by Nikki Erlick. This quote resonated with me for many reasons: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day.” ― Nikki Erlick, The Measure A DELICATE BALANCE …
Nursery Rhymes, sometimes called Mother Goose Rhymes, have been in existence as early as the 14th century. They were sung and repeated to young children, even before much of the population was literate. And many of the authors of these rhymes are unknown. So what gives? WHAT ABOUT NURSERY RHYMES? Human beings, in many if …
Happy New Year 2023: Looking Back to Look Forward Read More »
IT WAS JUST ANOTHER BIKE RIDE, AND…. On a relatively cool Sunday morning in August, I set out to complete a 50 mile bike ride to benefit our local Ohio and Erie Towpath Coalition. Between my husband and me, we raised several thousand dollars as per the support of our family and friends. I hadn’t …
JUST ANOTHER BIKE RIDE: HELPING PEDIATRICIANS WITH KIDS’ LEARNING Read More »
INFLATION HITS THE LITERACY WORLD Has anyone reading this article NOT noticed the unprecedented rates of INFLATION hitting the nation? Highest levels since 1981! Everything from food to gas to airline prices to the housing market..and yes, to even discussions about how young readers should be taught. Is it best to teach the letters of …
Inflation Hits The Literacy World: ‘Sound Inflation’! Read More »
Well, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth–just been busy with new grandkids and other family matters…glad to report I am back! When I was a new mom back in the 80s, I didn’t know what I didn’t know! That’s me with my daughter, Emily, circa 1984! I just talked to my kids, took …
The MIRACLE of Emergent Language→Emergent Literacy!! Read More »