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Reading instructions for making paper airplanes The “Science of Reading” appeared on the scene a few years ago. It’s a phrase that sounds impressive. In today’s world, how could we not climb aboard this ship and sail it through all our classrooms? Yet my own experiences with reading—and with the many readers I have known—do not fit neatly into what I would call a science. Each child’s journey into reading seems profoundly individual, shaped by the circumstances of their own l

2026 3 1 I have a master’s degree and a doctorate in education, though no specialized training in special education. Still, I have long been fascinated by how children learn—especially how they learn to read. Recently, I had the opportunity to read The Hunger Games  with Kate, a homeschooled seventh grader who has struggled with reading for years. I suggested we read together, thinking it might be both enjoyable and helpful for her to spend time reading with someone outside h

2026 2 20 Three years ago today, The New York Times asked this question – “What’s the Best Way to Teach Reading?” Here are my thoughts grounded in James Paul Gee’s theories.     Let’s first unpack the sentence. “Best” way implies there are multiple ways. It also implies that one can measure the different ways and arrive at a winner. “Teach” implies students must be instructed. They can’t just be left on their own to learn to read like they probably learned to speak and walk.