Articles from A-Z
Reading Rockets offers hundreds of articles that provide research-based and best-practice information for educators, parents, and others concerned about reading achievement. You can browse our articles by date or title, or organized by topic.
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Playing with Word Sounds: Stretch and Shorten
Building World Knowledge: Motivating Children to Read and Enjoy Informational Text
Exposing young children to informational text early on can help them to handle the literacy demands of fourth grade and beyond. Practical instructional techniques can be used to promote understanding and enjoyment of informational texts. The three techniques described here — Text Impression, Guiding Questions, and the Retelling Pyramid — can help children become familiar with the language and structure of non-fiction books.
Use a PEER When You Read Aloud
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe: Math and Literacy for Preschoolers
Family Literacy Bag: Where the Wild Things Are
Go on a "Wild Thing" reading adventure! Teachers can support reading together at home with Reading Rockets family literacy bags — designed to encourage hands-on fun and learning centered around paired fiction and nonfiction books. (Level: Kindergarten)
Listen and Look at Back-to-School Night
Back-to-School Night is a great opportunity for families to learn more about their child's school and teacher. Here are some signs to look for that indicate your child is in a place where good reading instruction can take place.
Early Signs of a Reading Difficulty
Parents are often the first to suspect their child has a reading problem. An expert alerts parents to some of the earliest indicators of a reading difficulty.
Everyday activities are a natural and effective way to begin teaching your young child about letters and words. Download and print these colorful "take-along" activities the next time you go to the grocery store or farmer's market. Turn your regular trip into a reading adventure!
Effective Reading Interventions for Kids With Learning Disabilities
Research-based information and advice for sizing up reading programs and finding the right one for your child with a learning disability.
Writing Disabilities: An Overview
Learn from an expert why some kids with learning disabilities struggle with writing how some instructional approaches can help.
Assistive Technology Tools: Writing
Find out how to select assistive technology tools that address your child's specific writing difficulties.
Assistive Technology Tools: Reading
Learn about assistive technology tools that help with reading.
Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview
If your child has a learning disability, she may benefit from assistive technology tools that play to her strengths and work around her challenges.
Supporting ELLs in the Mainstream Classroom: Reading Instruction
Family Literacy Bag: Dinosaurs
Go on a "dinosaur" reading adventure! Teachers can support reading together at home with Reading Rockets family literacy bags — designed to encourage hands-on fun and learning centered around paired fiction and nonfiction books. (Level: First grade)
Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment
On a daily basis, ELLs are adjusting to new ways of saying and doing things. As their teacher, you are an important bridge to this unknown culture and school system. There are a number of things you can do to help make ELLs' transitions as smooth as possible.
Building Your Child’s Vocabulary
Recognize Early Signs of Trouble
For almost 40 percent of kids, learning to read is a challenge. So in addition to talking, reading, and writing with your child, families play another important role — being on the lookout for early signs of possible trouble.
Get Ready to Read: Screening Tool
"Get Ready to Read" is a fast, free, research-based, and easy-to-use screening tool. It consists of 20 questions that parents and caregivers can ask a four-year-old to see if he or she is on track for learning how to read.
Know When Your Child Is Struggling in School
Once your child moves into first, second, and third grade, being able to read fluently and comprehend what he or she reads become critical for future success in school.