Blogs About Reading

Sound It Out

Dr. Joanne Meier

Along with her background as a professor, researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne every week as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.

A new friend in reading: AdLit.org

November 7, 2007

I once heard Connie Juel, a prominent researcher in early reading, describe an interview with a struggling fourth-grade student. Connie had spent four years following a group of students who, in first grade, had been identified as at risk. She was wrapping up her longitudinal study, asking them how they felt about reading. "Reading?" one boy said. "I hate it. I'd rather clean a bathtub." More >

I don't care what they read, or do I?

October 30, 2007

I don't care what they read as long as they are reading. There's some food for thought! Is that true? It doesn't matter what they read as long as they're reading? More >

23 words per minute

October 23, 2007

I have the pleasure of working one-on-one with several beginning readers, my own and a handful of others. There's nothing more amazing than sitting beside a new reader and listening to them as they "get" reading. It's something that you hear — their reading goes from word to word, choppy, and staccato-sounding to more phrasal, intonated, and just plain faster. But, how fast? More >

Big trouble, written down

October 17, 2007

Something I never thought I'd hear... "Joanne, this is Mrs. Z from school. Anna's bringing home a note today. I thought I'd give you a head's up." More >

I like writer's workshop

October 9, 2007

I like writer's workshop. There. I said it! I like writer's workshop. It's like a confession for me...someone who has spent a lot of time thinking about things like density of instructional time, explicit instruction in skills-based groups, and more. But, I'll say it again: I like writer's workshop. Good 'ol time to sit and think and write. More >

I bet she'll catch on by then

October 3, 2007

Rebecca commented on my last post: How should the parent respond if the teacher says this: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Let's watch and see how she does through the holidays. I'm betting she'll catch on by then." Great question, Rebecca. Thank you for commenting! More >