Great post! Teaching reading is complex and pushing a simple narrative will do more harm than good. Phonics is important, but so are many other factors that contribute to a literate individual.
I appreciate your reminder that there is always more to any story and that nothing complex is ever about one simple solution. Thank you for this important thinking, Matt!
Another very thoughtful post, Matt. I believe "simple" is attractive to many because, as in the case with phonics, it's easy to measure, and we're a society consumed by numerical data, partly because it's easy to get and to report. What many don't talk about or value enough is the role of motivation and engagement, as you note--as well as interest, background knowledge, choice, access to books, and more-as being important factors in becoming a joyful and discerning reader. Not everything of value can be measured.
Educators have to believe in the importance of these factors to prioritize them in their busy days, especially when they are not required or legislated.
Great post! Teaching reading is complex and pushing a simple narrative will do more harm than good. Phonics is important, but so are many other factors that contribute to a literate individual.
I appreciate your reminder that there is always more to any story and that nothing complex is ever about one simple solution. Thank you for this important thinking, Matt!
Another very thoughtful post, Matt. I believe "simple" is attractive to many because, as in the case with phonics, it's easy to measure, and we're a society consumed by numerical data, partly because it's easy to get and to report. What many don't talk about or value enough is the role of motivation and engagement, as you note--as well as interest, background knowledge, choice, access to books, and more-as being important factors in becoming a joyful and discerning reader. Not everything of value can be measured.
So true, Regie. What gets measured is what matters.
There are some simple assessments out there that teachers could use to assess these other areas, such as motivation and engagement, for example: https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trtr.1362
Educators have to believe in the importance of these factors to prioritize them in their busy days, especially when they are not required or legislated.
Great analogy! I love the push to see the system as a whole, and the interconnectedness of the parts.
Nice point, Michele, around the systems perspective for this topic.