I’ll begin posting new questions and answers in late August, and during the summer will be sharing thematic posts bringing together responses on similar topics from the past three years. You can see those collections from the first year here.
I’m alternating those posts with interviews I’m doing with authors about their new education books. So far, I’ve interviewed:
Carmen Fariña, Chancellor of the New York City schools, & her co-author Laura Kotch
Today’s theme is on teaching reading and writing. Previous themes have been:
I’ll be spending the summer organizing questions and answers for the next school year, and there is always room for more!
You can send questions to me at lferlazzo@epe.org.When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.
You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo.
Anyone whose question is selected for this weekly column can choose one free book from a variety of education publishers.
Lastly, remember that you can subscribe and receive updates from this blog via email or RSS Reader.
And, now, following an excerpt from one of those posts, here’s a list of all my posts related to related to teaching reading and writing:
From 2013/14
‘Reading Is Intensely Social': An Interview With Jeffrey Wilhelm & Michael Smith
Educators Jeffrey Wilhelm and Michael Smith are co-authors of the new book, Reading Unbound.
Ways To Engage Students in Reading
Jason Flom shares his ideas, as do many readers. I also add an intriguing chart.
Reading Is a ‘Means to Bigger and Better Things’
Educators Kristi Mraz, Marjorie Martinelli, Kathy Barclay and Cindi Rigsbee contribute their thoughts.
Ways to Develop Life-Long Readers
Donalyn Miller, Mark Barnes and Christopher Lehman contribute their responses.
Using the “Fun Factor” To Encourage Student Reading at Home
Read educator/author Nancy Steineke ideas, as well as comments from many readers.
Getting Students to Read at Home by ‘Building a Daily Habit’
Dina Strasser and Ariel Sacks share their thoughts in this post.
Helping Students Develop a Desire To Read At Home
In addition to sharing my own response, you’ll find contributions from two other guests -- educators Donalyn Miller and Myron Dueck.
‘Teachers Know A Lot About Scaffolding’ For Complex Texts
This post includes three joint commentaries from Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher; Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan; and Aaron Brock and Jody Passanisi.
Teaching Complex Texts Requires ‘Getting To Know Your Students’
Read responses from three educators: Wendi Pillars, Amy Benjamin, and Christopher Lehman.
Writing Instruction & the Common Core - Part Three
This piece features commentaries from Amy Benjamin, Alice Mercer, and from many readers.
Preparing Students To Write Is ‘About Our Own Collaboration’
Heather Wolpert-Gawron, Kathy Glass, and Carol Jago share their ideas.
Developing Student Writers By Letting Them Talk...
This post shares commentaries from educators Mary Tedrow, Ray Salazar and Tanya Baker.
From 2012/13
1. Many Ways English Teachers Can Improve Their Craft
Author/educators Penny Kittle and Carol Jago contribute their responses.
2. “Ten Elements Of Effective Instruction”
This post includes pieces from Jim Burke and David B. Cohen, as well as comments from readers.
3. Many Ways To Help Students Develop Academic Vocabulary
Several educator/authors - Marilee Sprenger; Jane Hill and Kirsten Miller; and Maria Gonzalez - provide guest responses.
4. Celebrating our Students’ Good Writing
This post shares guest responses from three educators: Mary Tedrow, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey.
5. Helping Our Students Become Better Writers, Part Two
Three educators -- Aimee Buckner, Carolyn Coman and Tanya Baker -- contribute their ideas here.
6. Helping Boys Become Stronger Writers
Educator and author Ralph Fletcher shares his ideas on how we can specifically help boys become stronger writers.
7. A “Napkin Curriculum For Writing”
Author and teacher Barry Lane provides his perspective in this post.
8. Teaching Writing by Respecting Student Ideas
Teachers Renee Moore and Ray Salazar share their contributions, and I add in my suggestions.
From 2011/12
1. Ways To Help Our Students Become Better Readers
Stephen Krashen and Richard Allington share their ideas on helping students develop a love for reading.
2. More Ways to Help Our Students Become Better Readers - Choice & Access
Teacher/Authors Regie Routman, Laura Robb, and Kylene Beers contribute their thoughts in this installment of the reading series.
3. Ways to Help Our Students Become Better Readers - Part Two
Nancie Atwell and Cris Tovani sent-in their responses for this post.
4.Ways to Help Our Students Become Better Readers - Part Four
This post featured recommendations from Kelly Young (my mentor), Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Carol Jago.
5. Advice From The “Book Whisperer,” Ed Week Readers & Me About Teaching Reading
Donalyn Miller, the “Book Whisperer,” my colleague Dana Dusbiber, and several readers contributed here. I shared my own suggestions, too.
I hope you’ve found this summary useful and, again, keep those questions coming!