The editors of The New York Times discuss their answers here. The article includes a contribution from Maryanne Wolf, author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain.
Author Archives: Diana Wilson
Does The Brain Like Ebooks?
October 21, 2009
The Power (and Peril) of Praise
October 15, 2009
An oldie but a goodie: “How Not to Talk to Your Kids: The Inverse Power of Praise”
For extra credit, check out Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset.
President Obama’s Message for America’s Students
September 10, 2009
The President gives a speech directly to America’s students welcoming them back to school. He emphasizes their hope and potential but makes clear they will need to take responsibility for themselves and their education to reach that potential.
Handwriting Advice
September 10, 2009
Fascinating article about printing vs. cursive, pencil grip, and how we perceive letters: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/09/04/opinion/20090908_opart.html
Article here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/211432
Is It a Reading Disorder or Developmental Lag?
August 24, 2009
It’s hard for parents to admit their child might have a learning difficulty, but research shows that early intervention is critical for overcoming reading delays. In “Is It a Reading Disorder or Developmental Lag?”, educational expert Susan Hall explains the importance of getting your child help now rather than later.
The English Language is DUM
August 24, 2009
102-year-old Ed Rondthaler, founder of Photo Lettering, Inc., on English spelling:
Photographic Dictionary
August 24, 2009
Believe it or not, most people have a photographic dictionary between their ears. When we hear or read a familiar word, we access that photographic dictionary to visualize an image that helps us to understand the word’s meaning. To give you an example, when I hear the word “superstition,” I can immediately imagine a person finding a four-leaf clover, walking beneath a ladder, or opening an umbrella indoors.
For people who struggle to build vocabulary, this photographic dictionary might be lacking. They may have trouble connecting words to definitions because they struggle to visualize.
With that in mind, the photographic dictionary is a website “dedicated to defining words through the literal, figurative, and personal meanings found in [photographs].” Parents, I encourage you to look around. Though the site is certainly still growing, I’m sure there are other similar ones out there that can help to supplement the children’s dictionaries you likely have on your bookshelves.
Achievement gap among students stalled
August 18, 2009
“The state’s stubborn achievement gap once again failed to budge in 2009 even as more students than ever finished the school year at or above grade level in standardized testing, according to results released today.”
Full article here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/18/BAJS199Q80.DTL&tsp=1