“Trick or treat” Me: Only a third of US children are proficient as readers, and we haven’t been able to improve on that in the last two decades. 👻 👻 👻 👻 👻 #eduween21

On banning books, @Meg_Medina

My journey as a reading specialist is just beginning but learning how the most popular elementary ELA programs in the US are detrimental to many students is infuriating. Every child has the right to learn to read with research-proven strategies. Shame on Heinemann

Data, data, data!!!!

Two popular reading curricula have recently been criticized--for good reason. But if we want to change teacher practice, we also need to be clearer on some widespread misconceptions about how reading works. My latest post for Forbes: forbes.com/sites/nataliew…

Attention NEATE members! A fabulous PD opportunity is available tomorrow night from 7-8pm EST. Check your email for the Zoom link and continue to explore “The Year of the Teacher: Agency, Empowerment, and Care” with us!

It’s official! Chapter 8 took two years to write but it’s finally in print 🙌🏻 #publishedauthor

“If you're a parent concerned about literacy, you should be asking your superintendent, your principal, your board members, ‘Why are we using a program that got the lowest possible rating?’” said Todd Collins, who serves on the school board in Palo Alto. apmreports.org/story/2021/11/…

So, so glad we just ordered this for our 8th grade lit circle unit!!!! 😁 Congratulations, @rajanilarocca 🎉

We were so lucky Chenery Middle School to have @rajanilarocca visit our 8th graders yesterday! If you haven’t read her Newbery Honor winning Red, White, and Whole yet, do yourself a favor and read it!

🥳 I passed the reading specialist teacher test in MA so I’m rewarding myself by reading this new novel by Annie Hartnett 😁🥳

Imagine believing that books pose a greater threat to children than poorly regulated access to guns. We are lost.

EDUCATORS and LIBRARIANS! Want to greet your new students with new books?! I’ve got about 120 elementary and Middle Grade books to give away—half here, half on Instagram. To enter to win half here: follow me and RT this tweet. Bonus entry: tag a pal who may want to enter too!

Merry merry from Mr Charlie 🎅

Local obituary: Rena Ferber Finder, a Schindler’s List survivor trib.al/GN9f7U9

She was a lovely lady who was the first Holocaust Survivor I met when I was a young teacher. I’m so grateful that she shared her story and wish her eternal peace 🙏

As an elementary reading specialist who is going through a curriculum review process now, I couldn’t agree with this letter more. All kids deserve to learn how to read. No one is suggesting banning any books from classroom libraries.

“…if the same funds were invested in four-and five-year-olds, that are spent on interventions for the 2/3 of third graders who have not learned to read proficiently, a lot of anguish, sadness, and later costs could be avoided.” TRUTH from Dr. Jeannine Herron Neuropsychologist