Articles from A-Z

Get Ready for Summer!

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Reading Rockets has packed a "virtual beach bag" of activities for teachers to help families get ready for summer and to launch students to fun, enriching summertime experiences. Educators will find materials to download and distribute as well as ideas and resources to offer to students and parents to help ensure summer learning gain rather than loss.

Finding a Great Summer Program: A Checklist for Parents

By: John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2008)

Position Statement on Student Grade Retention and Social Promotion

By: National Association of School Psychologists (2008)

In this position statement about student grade retention and social promotion, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) identifies characteristics of students more likely to be retained; and the impact of retention at the secondary school level, late adolescence, and early adulthood. NASP also provides a long list of alternatives to retention and social promotion.

A Critical Analysis of Eight Informal Reading Inventories

By: International Reading Association (2008)

There are a number of current informal reading inventories. Each has its strengths and limitations and unique characteristics, which should be considered in order to best fit a teacher's needs.

Second Language Acquisition

By: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2008)

Anyone at any age can learn a second language after a first language is already established, but it takes a lot of practice. Second language acquisition often happens when a child who speaks a language other than English goes to school for the first time. This American Speech-Language-Hearing Association brief looks at the best way to teach a second language and how speech professionals can help.

Learning Two Languages

By: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2008)

Learning to speak two languages is like learning any other skill. To do it well, children need lots of practice, which parents can help provide. This American Speech-Language-Hearing Association brief gives information and tips for parents.

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Preparing Your Child for Testing

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Writing (Pre-K)

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Writing (K-3)

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

A Student's Perspective on Writing

By: Regina G. Richards (2008)

Eli, a young boy, tells us what it is like to have dysgraphia. Regina Richards, a well-known expert on dysgraphia (and Eli's mom), explains how to help children who struggle with the challenges Eli describes. Practical techniques discussed include POWER (Prepare, Organize, Write, Edit, Revise) and providing authentic positive comments that move the child forward.

Fighting the Good Fight: How to Advocate for Your Students Without Losing Your Job

By: Rick Lavoie (2008)

Teachers: How do you convince your principal, fellow teachers, and other school staff to help the student in your class who has a learning disability? Rick Lavoie, world-renowned expert, speaker, and author on teaching children with LD, tells you how to get your voice heard. Learn how to handle common road blocks and become a proactive and successful advocate in the hallways, the teacher's lounge, and the administrative suite.

Reading Tips for Parents of First Graders

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Give your child lots of opportunities to read aloud. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

Reading Tips for Parents of Kindergartners

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Play with letters, words, and sounds! Having fun with language helps your child learn to crack the code of reading. The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

Reading Tips for Parents of Preschoolers

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Read early and read often. The early years are critical to developing a lifelong love of reading. It's never too early to begin reading to your child! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

The Basic Spelling Vocabulary List

By: Steven Graham, Karen R. Harris, and Connie Loynachan (2008)

This list was devised to help educators know which spelling words should be taught to children. The list contains 850 words that account for 80 percent of the words children use in their writing; the ones they need to be able to spell correctly.

Making Reading Relevant: Read, Learn, and Do! (K-3)

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Making Reading Relevant: Read, Learn, and Do! (Pre-K)

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

The Writing Road: Reinvigorate Your Students' Enthusiasm for Writing

By: Regina G. Richards (2008)

Teach your students to avoid the avoidance of writing. Learn how to lead them down the path of enthusiasm and self-confidence about writing through research-proven strategies.

Using Peer Tutoring to Facilitate Access

By: The Access Center (2008)

Peer tutoring links high achieving students with lower achieving students or those with comparable achievement for structured learning. It's an effective educational strategy for classrooms of diverse learners, including students with disabilities, because it promotes academic gains as well as social enhancement. This brief discusses three research-supported peer tutoring strategies: Cross-Age Tutoring; Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS); and Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT).