Ten years ago, a phonics guru told me that a reading program without cursive is inferior.

He said that mastering cursive accelerates the learning of the letters, which is the critical first step for phonics.

Since that time I've become fascinated by the education establishment's weird hostility to cursive. After all, what is cursive getting in the way of? Not much is being taught in our schools.

I believe that cursive is much more valuable…

Seatwork that Makes Sense for Reading

Tim Shanahan

Teacher question:

I work with students in small groups daily and need the rest of the students to be engaged in meaningful practice of their new literacy skills. What types of activities would be best for this practice?

Shanahan response:

The benefits of small group instruction are obvious. Teachers can make the learning experience more apt and…

Getting Personal about Personalized Learning in Reading

Tim Shanahan

Teacher question:

I would love to know what you think about the movement in personalized learning in K-8 schools. A few schools in my district have been moving to this approach for math instruction and I'd be interested in hearing your ideas of how this would look in reading and writing instruction. Thanks!

Shanahan responds:

Your…

There is a lot of craziness in the public schools. For example, bogus theories and defective methods.

One question always simmering under the surface is: do teachers realize what they are doing to the children? 

In an article on reading, I encountered a startling quote by a teacher who does feel guilty. Unpleasant but perhaps it's helpful.…

Despite the hint of the air being a bit more crisp on a recent early September morning, a day that traditionally marks the return to school throughout much of New York, the devastating effects of COVID-19 remain.

This is the first time in 34 years that I have not joined in that perennial moment when we celebrate the return of our students with shiny floors and all the trappings that accompany the start of…