A November 25 New York Times article by Daniel Willingham, “How to Get Your Mind to Read,” raises important questions for educators, parents, and learners. Because reading does not happen in a vacuum, true comprehension requires more than accurate decoding. Willingham writes:
Current education practices show that reading comprehension is misunderstood. It’s treated like a general skill that can be applied with equal success to all texts. Rather, comprehension is intimately intertwined with knowledge. That suggests three significant changes in schooling.
Full understanding of the text requires background knowledge and context. If you know nothing about the game of soccer, for instance, an article about soccer will inevitably be more opaque.
Willingham prescribes three changes:
- Reverse the trend of spending more time on literacy instruction and less on knowledge acquisition; at least use high-information texts.
- For accountability, use assessments that match the kind of background knowledge for the particular student population.
- Finally, “the systematic building of knowledge must be a priority in curriculum design.”
As a retired reading consultant whose career veered off into constructivist learning, I find myself struggling with Willingham’s vision even as it makes sense to me. I have come to believe that content and information can be acquired when there’s a purpose for knowing them, but that skills trump content. The whole thrust of problem-based learning requires a tactical approach to locating and using knowledge based on critical thinking skills.
Yet I agree that, even though I’m a proficient and prolific reader, I struggle with materials for which I have very limited background information. Reading about them requires delving beyond the immediate text. If I struggle, what must it be like for inexperienced readers?
Perhaps the best answer is a recognition that we needn’t make an either-or choice. I choose to believe that knowledge acquisition can occur when learners have a genuine need for that knowledge and the skills to locate and use it. But educators should support emerging readers by helping them build a broader knowledge base to improve their deep comprehension. Can’t we come at these issues from both directions for a win-win?
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i
was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you protect
against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get
so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this web site needs much more attention. Iíll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the information!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this topic here on your site.
I couldnít refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
This is the perfect web site for anyone who wishes to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject which has been discussed for decades. Great stuff, just great!
Hello, I do think your web site may be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful site!
Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll share this with the host.
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a data! present here at this
website, thanks admin of this site.
Also visit my page :: Katrina maruani contribution to early childhood education
Nice site — I found your work intersting!
It is truly a nice and useful piece of info. I am happy that you shared this useful information with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
First off I would ⅼike to say fantaѕtic blog! I hɑd a quick question that I’d
like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how
you center yourself and clear yoᥙr head before writing. I’ve hɑd a hard time clearing my mind in getting
my thoughts out. І do enjoy writing but it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are usuаlⅼy wasted
just trying to figure out hοw to begіn. Any suggestions or tips?
Many thanks!
my homepage LimitlessV Mobile Developers from kentucky
Thanks for the kind words. I actually do a lot of my prewriting in my head when I’m busy with other things, like taking a shower or working out in the pool — we are kayakers and I do love water! But I do believe in letting ideas percolate and then jotting down notes long before I write. I also collect the sources I’m interested in in a file on my computer — revisiting them helps me focus and choose my topic and direction. As far as actual writing goes, one thing that used to help my creative writing students when they were stuck was to turn off the monitor and just key their thoughts into a file. There will no doubt be typos, but that’s one way to shut down the distractions and just get it out. So is dictating in Word. Some writers also find rituals centering. If you always make yourself a cup of herbal tea or write something in a journal or prewrite at the computer, that might help you focus. Good luck with your writing!
I need to to tһank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it.
I’ѵe got you bookmarked to check out new things you post…
Feel free to visit my blog post :: Open Jobs Possitions for In-Person Shadow Teacher and teachers in Vidalia city for school year 2022-2023
Thanks for the kind words. I did visit your site, and it looks like an excellent program!