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Reading Wars Re-Ignite

The warring factions in the reading wars came to an agreement in the 90's with the research-based conclusion that a 'balanced approach' to reading was what the research supported. No longer would they argue that it was either phonics or whole language, but both/and... both phonics AND language-based strategies yield the best results for children. What has happened to the truce? Read on and find out...

New Articles:

• Direct Instruction Is Developmentally Appropriate
•  Whole Language and Phonics: Can They Work Together? Either/Or? No, Both/AND!
• The Four Ages of Reading Philosophy and Pedagogy: A Framework for Examining Theory and Practice, For a history of reading instruction with some thoughts on the future.
• Explicit Instruction at the Point of Use, Illustrates the use of explicit instruction in the context of a literature-based program in one first grade. Maybe the two CAN co-exist?
• A Call to Teachers of Literature-Based Reading Programs: The Phonics Brigade Is Moving In! Marshall Your Forces! Overview of keynote from New England Reading Association Conference. A 1997 article with as much relevance today it had in 97.

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• Wake Up: Beware and Be Aware! All you want to know about the reading wars and reading research.
• Reading: Science, Education and Politics, Syllabus and links to reading materials.
• Finding the Words: Children and Teachers Rise to the Challenge
• Learning to Read: Resources for Language Arts and Reading Research
• Publishers Fume Over Phonics Redefinition in Texas, 1999 article about adoption of textbooks for reading in Texas
• Why Do We Need to Study Reading?, WSRA powerpoint presentation about reading research with discussion of Distar, Direct Instruction vs. direct instruction, Project Follow Through, etc.
• What works for reading, In a crowded field of promises and quick fixes, here's what looks most promising
• THE READING WARS: UNDERSTANDING THE DEBATE OVER HOW BEST TO TEACH CHILDREN TO READ, National Right to Read Foundation article that first appeared in the LA Times.
• Margaret Moustafa, Professor of Literacy Education
• The Research Base of Open Court and Its Translation into Instructional Policy in California, Critique of the research supporting Open Court.
• Babes in the Woods: The Wanderings of the National Reading Panel, Phi Delta Kappan article concerning the National Reading Panel review of research.
• Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors: A Critique of the National Reading Panel Report on Phonics, Another Phi Delta Kappan article about the 'reading wars.'
• Discussion About the National Reading Panel Report, Bulletin Board messages indicate that there is discomfort in the field.
• Preventing Reading Failure by Ensuring Effective Reading Instruction, Q 'n A format article by Barbara Foorman, et al
• The Phonics Scam: The Pedagogy of the Absurd, Kenneth Goodman article
• Response: Misrepresentation of Research by Other Researchers, Foorman, et al

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