Benchmark Blog

Hello, Educators and Knowledge Seekers! Have you found yourself caught up in the "reading wars" debate, wondering if there's a way to bridge the gaps among the various messages you’re receiving about reading instruction? Well, your literacy musings are about to be enriched, and your curiosity satiated, as we unveil to you Season 2 of our Teachers Talk Shop podcast series: "A 360° View of Literacy."

The Science of Reading conversation is changing how American schools approach reading instruction, especially in the primary grades. But “The Big Five” of phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension are not enough to foster success in reading.

Teaching metacognitive strategies in the classroom improves student outcomes. Learn what metacognition is, why it’s so important, and how to teach it.

Children are naturally curious. Engaging nonfiction books are a practical and fun way to celebrate curiosity with children. Nonfiction and informational books are no longer like an encyclopedia entry. Today’s nonfiction engages children with beautiful words, insightful information, and engaging images. Kids need—and love—nonfiction.

Research shows that using a combination of techniques to help students build both reading fluency and comprehension skills is ideal. In the second post of our Best Practices series, we’ll examine the six main types of comprehension strategies available for use in the classroom and how each provides its own unique set of benefits for various types of learners.

When we ground decisions in our understanding of what our students know and control, and apply this knowledge to effective instructional practices, decisions become intentional and productive. Dr. C.C. Bates visits the Benchmark Blog to explore how interactive writing enables educators to target key foundational skills, differentiate instruction, and make in-the-moment decisions that best support learners.

When we teach reading, we should focus on the strategies and skills that research demonstrates are essential for success. But when we teach readers, we can incorporate instruction for metacognition, motivation and engagement, and self-efficacy, in addition to strategy and skills. Dr. Peter Afflerbach visits the Benchmark Blog to explore a more broadly-based instructional approach for student readers’ development and the Sciences of Reading.

Wherever you fall on the love-hate continuum of grammar, we can all probably find common ground in at least one belief: Writing loses power without the strong, intentional use of grammar. Patty McGee explores 5 simple yet powerful instructional shifts that will have a huge impact on how students use grammar as their artistic tool to mold, construct, and shape their writing.

When children play, they are learning. Although the lesson plans may look a little different, the lessons learned through play are imperative and long lasting. Explore strategies that encourage play, improve social skills, and ignite creativity while addressing the critical areas of reading instruction.  

What is fluency? In the first post in our Best Practices series, we'll examine the definition of fluency, study its components, and consider its instructional implications.