There are some common methods and practices for teaching reading that I don’t agree with. Now, I don’t say this to ruffle feathers but rather to challenge the status quo and make us think deeply about how we approach literacy education and how we can make the biggest impact on our students’ reading journeys.

We all want to provide the best reading instruction possible, but I believe that some of the current practices and beliefs take away from doing just that. In this episode, we are diving into 5 controversial opinions about teaching reading. I’m uncovering why I don’t use Lexile levels, how building stamina is unnecessary, why centers are overrated, how over-differentiating can do more harm than good, and why whole-group instruction is necessary.

I’d love to hear what you agree or disagree with or answer any questions you may have. Send me a DM on Instagram or email me at Ciera@CieraHarrisTeaching.com to continue the conversation!

02:58 - Why Lexile levels are pointless

06:34 - The difference between reading stamina and attention

10:23 - Why centers are overrated

12:45 - How differentiation can be damaging

15:23 - The importance of whole group instruction

Resources:

• Episode 13. Unveiling Three Game-Changing Strategies to Transform Your Teaching in 2024
• Free Close Reading Guidebook
• The Literacy Lounge Facebook group
• Leave your rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Grab all the podcast links and resources mentioned in this episode inside the show notes: https://cieraharristeaching.com/episode19

Mentioned in this episode:

The Thinking Reader* is a must-have for teachers looking to bridge the gap between phonics and deep comprehension. Packed with research-backed strategies, this book helps students think critically and truly understand what they read. https://cieraharristeaching.com/the-thinking-reader/