Lesson #2:
The lack of reading skills is a symptom not a condition
by Wendy Crick
Academically, the most important thing I have learned is that the lack of reading fluency and comprehension is a symptom, not a condition. In most cases it is a symptom of not having the knowledge and understanding of how our language is organized, not knowing the code, and a lack of decoding skills. It may also be due to a lack of higher cognitive functioning skills like auditory or visual processing. Good teaching is like being a good physician. Once teachers have a broader and more accurate knowledge of our language along with the most recent research on learning, the brain, and cognitive development, they are able to diagnose and prescribe: curing the illness. It is not impossible nor does it take years of remediation to fix a reading problem if a systematic, research based approach is used.
More Lessons -
Lesson #1: Turn your anger into a passion.
Lesson #2: The lack of reading skills is a symptom not a condition.
Lesson #3: Think big and look for answers in new places.
Lesson #4: The need for engagement versus compliance.
Lesson #5: The need for quality remediation rather than accommodation.
Lesson #6: Empowering students
Lesson #7: Shift from grade level expectations to reaching ones highest potential.
Lesson #8: Exchange excuses for answers.
Lesson #9: Separate self from the system.
Lesson #10: Change is the only constant in our universe.
