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What Do We Know So Far?
The process of learning to read is complex and has been studied by many disciplines. What we need is for the science to funnel into the hands of teachers through uplifting, respectful, and strong reciprocal relationships.
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Connecting the Science of Reading with the Art of Implementation
Curiosity built around the Science of Reading? Check. How this works in the real world of the classroom? (chirping crickets) Although...
M. Kovack
Jan 1, 20233 min read
When will Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) get the Traction it Needs?
TWO students in every classroom have DLD (1/14 people - adults included!), and it is a specific challenge with learning , understanding...
M. Kovack
Aug 11, 20224 min read
Science without Philosophy: What are your Pangs of Tension Today?
I will never forget my first pang of tension as a teacher. It was 1990, and I was full of enthusiasm, eager to implement the reading...
M. Kovack
Aug 19, 202412 min read
12 Helpful Scripts for Word & Sentence Level Routines
First, I think it is important to distinguish between writing that we do “at the word and sentence level” (to practice spelling patterns...
M. Kovack
Feb 6, 20247 min read
"Is your Phonics Instruction Systematic, Explicit, & Cumulative? Here are 10 Ways to Make Sure It Is!"
In light of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read inquiry (OHRC, 2022) and the recent release of Ontario's new Language...
M. Kovack
Jan 1, 20245 min read
The Doors are OPEN for Systemic Change - So Now What?
The Science of Reading is one thing – systemic change, however, is quite another. The Ontario Human Rights Commission will be releasing...
M. Kovack
Feb 27, 20224 min read
On your mark, get set, RISE!! A Culturally Responsive & Relevant “Readiness” Framework.
CfA Science Education Department (18, October, 2021). After beating my head against a brick wall trying to improve beginning reading...
M. Kovack
Nov 1, 20214 min read
Documentaries by Emily Hanford
These 4 documentaries by Emily Hanford were released by the American Public Media between 2017-2020. "There is a theory about how people...
M. Kovack
Nov 30, 20201 min read
Why we Need to be Aware of the Margins
Last week, I asked my students to demonstrate what they have been learning about Universal Design for Learning, Dyslexia, and DLD using...
M. Kovack
Oct 21, 20201 min read
One Parent's Reading Experiment: The Purple Challenge!
While it doesn't take reams of scientific research to figure this out (although we do have reams of scientific research to explain this),...
M. Kovack
Oct 15, 20201 min read
The Complete Picture
*Slightly modified from Kim (2017). Used with permission. While the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Rope are two of the most...
M. Kovack
Jun 27, 20202 min read
Let's Slow Down a Little... Is What we are Doing Really Helpful?
As soon as our children are born, we are told to fill our home with books! Read, read, READ every chance you get! When young children...
M. Kovack
Jun 19, 20204 min read
Scarborough's Reading Rope - The Many Strands of Skilled Reading
The Reading Rope. Scarborough (2001). Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Reading-Rope-Scarborough-2001_fig2_282550319 CC...
M. Kovack
Jun 19, 20201 min read
The Simple View of Reading
The Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) is a foundational framework that explains two formative strands of skills that lead to...
M. Kovack
Jun 17, 20202 min read
New (2020) American Federation of Teachers
Hot off the press! "By the year 2000, after decades of multidisciplinary research, the scientific community had achieved broad consensus...
M. Kovack
Jun 9, 20201 min read
Keeping the "Teach" in Teacher
While systematic and explicit instruction has now found its way into mainstream beginning reading instruction conversations, the term...
M. Kovack
Jun 4, 20201 min read
What is The Science of Reading & Why Should we Care?
If you are curious about the term "The Science of Reading" and wondering if this is simply yet another fad, there is a "Defining...
M. Kovack
Jun 1, 20201 min read
What is Structured Literacy?
Structured Literacy is an approach to reading instruction that is beneficial for all students, and critical for those at risk for reading...
M. Kovack
Apr 27, 20201 min read
What Happens when Word Reading is a Problem?
Here is Gloria. In grade three, she could not read or write anything but her name, despite above average intelligence. She has an...
M. Kovack
Dec 1, 20191 min read
And the Research Says...National Inquiries
We currently have so much cognitive and neurobiological science research about learning to read in English, we scarcely need more....
M. Kovack
Dec 1, 20193 min read
Recent Books that Explain the Reseach and Research into Practice CHASM
This book by Mark Seidenberg (2017) explains every detail about language and literacy learning, and why so little has changed over the...
M. Kovack
Nov 30, 20192 min read
Meeting the Challenges of Early Literacy Phonics Instruction - A Position Statement from the ILA
After years of debate about how much and what kind of phonics instruction children need, the International Literacy Association (finally...
M. Kovack
Nov 25, 20191 min read
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