Overcoming Reading Barriers

Every January, I set a goal for the number of books I will read over the course of the next 12 months. I try to compete with my friend from college, Nick. His stats increase each year and I typically find myself hopelessly behind within a matter of a few months. While I enjoy the competition and I do enjoy the relaxing gift of reading a book, this wasn’t always the case. I distinctly remember only wanting to read Garfield or Calvin and Hobbes cartoon books when I was a kid. My parents never waivered in their efforts to find some books I would enjoy. One summer in late elementary school, my mom brought home Drummer Boy at Bull Run by Gilbert Morris. Something about the historical context and the relatable teen drama and issues had me enthralled. I proceeded to read the entire series. From that point forward, I am always looking for the next book that will captivate me the same way I was captivated that summer.

The point is that the joy of reading doesn’t typically come from an innate joy of books or love with text. It usually comes from routines and procedures that are set by parents. These routines and expectations provide the opportunity for kids to learn to love reading, usually from finding that one book or series that helps them catch the bug. But this environment does not come about accidentally or without some barriers. Let’s look at some of the challenges parents face in building a love of reading in their children, along with some ideas to help address those challenges.

Barrier 1: Your child’s belief that they don’t like to read

The challenge here is that reading is perceived to be relatively boring compared to other forms of entertainment available in your child’s life: phones, iPads, TV, video games, and social media, just to name a few. To combat this challenge, you need to create a setting in which reading can be enjoyable as well. For younger children, creating a routine where you read together as a family brings a significant amount of joy and purpose to reading. For older children, you may need to find books about topics connected to their media-obsessed lives, including graphic novels, comics, and anime. These can serve as a bridge between modern media and books.

Barrier 2: It’s not a normal part of their lives

Kids who do not see their parents read and have not ever experienced reading as a family may not see the emphasis on literacy they need to believe that reading is actually important. Sure, parents tell their children they should be reading more because the teacher and society say they should. Without a model in their children’s lives or an expectation for them to read, it doesn’t really seem all that important. To address this issue, set time for family reading. Perhaps this could be the last 30 minutes before bed time, an enjoyable family activity after dinner, or a Saturday morning time to relax. Whatever you choose, setting an example for your children will make a big difference. They mimic what we do much more than they do what we say. Give them a positive reading example to imitate!

Barrier 3: Just Life

Parents and kids are all busy: work, chores, sports, music, plays, school activities, church, martial arts…the list goes on. Whatever it is you and your children are busy with, most things tend to take a front seat to reading. We prioritize all of our scheduled events, leaving little time for leisure and relaxation. If reading is not already part of your routine, it may seem like a chore to add it into the mix. There’s no simple solution here. Sometimes as parents we have to make a sacrifice and do things that will benefit our children, even if we don’t feel like it. Our goal here is to help kids learn to love reading and to help them see that reading can be a relaxing pastime.

Prioritize reading, even if you only start with 20-30 minutes a couple of times per week. Make sure kids know that reading is a priority for you and for them.

As with most things, there is no magic cure or instantaneous fix. We have to make intentional choices and steps that will build a literacy-focused environment at home. Taking these steps will help. Comment if you have more ideas for helping kids learn to love reading!

Winter Family Play Activities

Happy New Year 2025! Winter is here and our kids spend hours playing on their electronic devices and binge-watching television and movies. Parents are busy getting ready for a new year of juggling family schedules, working, maintaining household chores, and just enjoying life as time allows. Here are ten strategies that families can use to get moving and enjoy various winter activities:

1. Convene a family meeting and organize one special family activity for each month of the year. For example, in January the family can travel to a snow location or somewhere nearby with a change in weather for a nature adventure. The family can pack a tailgate picnic if it is too cold or wet to eat outside. Some of our favorite activities include hiking in the snow or snowshoeing. We enjoy making our annual snow person and completing the day with a snowball fight.
2. We love rain walks. The kids love to jump in puddles, make dams in gutters, walk through small steams, and try to create temporary dams in gutters and small streams. Umbrellas are another great toy to use when exploring during rain storms.
3. We hike in nearby parks to observe nature in the rain or a storm. We love to find insects and spider webs glistening in the rain. Did you know that some spiders make stronger webs during various seasons to sustain wind and storm damage?
4. We travel to the coast to watch the waves on a stormy day. Sealife and ocean observations are enhanced during rain storms. Tide pools are fun to observe right before and after a storm to compare changes in the environment.
5. We learned about spiders and their webs by reading nonfiction books about arachnids at the library. We love to visit the library on a rainy day and curl up in a chair to read any book we want to read. Then we check out our favorite books to read at bedtime for the next two weeks.
6. Window shopping is another fun activity while taking a rain walk or cold weather hike. There are some many interesting items to look at in shop windows and in various stores. Our grandkids lead their younger cousins through stores by clasping their hands behind their backs. It is a fun game. Another parent takes photos with her camera of items a child might like for a gift in the future.
7. Kids love visiting museums to learn about the past, their heritage, and about the history of a community. Children can take pictures and then create a little book about their visit. Older children can research online topics of interest and write reflective stories about their adventures.
8. A monthly family art project can reinforce a specific holiday or celebration for each month of the year. In January we make snowflakes with templates to show interesting ways to cut paper. We read about snow crystals and draw various snow crystal formations. In February, the children can create valentines and write love notes that they can mail to relatives in celebration of the holiday.
9. A monthly family service project might include dropping off cans of food to the local food bank, making valentines to distribute to seniors or service members, and making flower containers with flower seeds for seniors to celebrate spring.
10. Finally, each evening at dinner we review our family activities for the day and express gratitude for something we’ve enjoyed as a family. Then we each share some activity we are looking forward to doing in the next day. Finally, we each discuss a challenge that was hard for us that day. Our grandkids call this daily reflection a rose for gratitude, a bud for an anticipated gratitude, and a thorn for dealing with a challenge.

May your 2025 family calendar highlight many opportunities to embrace daily attitudes for expressing gratitudes!

Classroom Differentiated Instruction is Critical for Student Success

Differentiation is a term that has gained significant traction in educational circles over the years and for a good reason. As classrooms become increasingly diverse, teachers are continually challenged to meet the unique needs of each student. Differentiation is an instructional approach that addresses these needs, aiming to ensure that all students have equitable access to learning.

What is Differentiation?

Differentiation refers to tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs of students. It is a pedagogical strategy that involves adjusting the content, process, product, or learning environment to accommodate students’ different learning styles, interests, and abilities within a classroom. Carol Ann Tomlinson describes differentiation as a way of thinking about teaching and learning that honors individual students’ needs and maximizes their learning potential.

At its core, differentiation recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different paces. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching is ineffective in helping students master grade-level standards. Instead, differentiation encourages teachers to be responsive to students’ varying readiness levels, learning profiles, and interests by offering multiple avenues for acquiring content, engaging in the learning process, and demonstrating understanding.

The Key Components of Differentiation

The four key components to help teachers differentiate their lesson plans include:

Content involves what students learn. Differentiating content means providing students with different resources or adjusting the complexity of the material based on their readiness levels. For instance, while all students might be working towards the same learning goal, some might need more foundational work, while others may be ready for more advanced concepts.

Process is how students make sense of the content. Differentiation in the process could involve using various instructional strategies, such as cooperative learning, tiered activities, or inquiry-based learning, to help students explore the content in a way that suits their learning styles.

Product refers to how students demonstrate their understanding of the content. Differentiating products means giving students various ways to show what they have learned. For example, one student might write an essay, another might create a video presentation, and yet another might build a model or create a piece of art.

Learning Environment is the overall climate in which learning takes place. A differentiated learning environment is flexible, supportive, and inclusive, offering spaces that cater to the varying needs of students, whether they require a quiet corner for independent work or a collaborative space for group activities.

Why Differentiation is Important

Addressing Diverse Learning Needs

One of the most compelling reasons for differentiation is the diversity of learners in today’s classrooms. Students come from various cultural backgrounds, have different levels of prior knowledge, and exhibit a range of learning preferences and abilities. A standardized approach to teaching overlooks these differences, potentially leaving some students behind while others are not sufficiently challenged. Differentiation ensures that every student receives instruction that is appropriate for their needs, promoting better engagement and understanding.

Promoting Equity and Inclusion

Differentiation plays a critical role in promoting equity in education. It acknowledges that not all students start at the same place and that some may require additional support or alternative pathways to achieve the same learning outcomes. By adjusting instruction to meet individual needs, differentiation helps to level the playing field, providing all students with an opportunity to succeed. This is particularly important for students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Enhancing Student Motivation and Engagement

When students are provided with learning experiences that are tailored to their interests and abilities, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Differentiation allows teachers to tap into students’ passions and strengths, making learning more relevant and enjoyable. This not only enhances their motivation to learn but also fosters a deeper connection to the material, leading to improved academic outcomes.

Supporting Growth and Development

Differentiation is not just about helping struggling students; it’s also about challenging advanced learners. By offering more complex tasks or opportunities for independent study, differentiation ensures that every student is pushed to grow and develop their skills. This approach helps to nurture a growth mindset, where students see challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Preparing Students for the Future

In a world that increasingly values creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, differentiation helps students develop these essential skills. By providing varied learning experiences and encouraging students to take ownership of their learning, differentiation fosters independence, adaptability, and resilience. These are qualities that will serve students well beyond the classroom, preparing them for future challenges in higher education and the workforce.

How You Can Implement Differentiation in the Classroom

Know Your Students

The foundation of differentiation is knowing your students well. This includes understanding their academic readiness, interests, and learning profiles. Use assessments, observations, and student surveys to gather this information and use it to guide your instructional decisions.

Start Small

Differentiation can feel overwhelming at first, so start with one aspect of your instruction, such as differentiating the content or process. Gradually expand your efforts as you become more comfortable with the approach.

Use Flexible Grouping

Group students in different ways based on the task at hand. Sometimes, group them by readiness level, other times by interest or learning style. This flexibility ensures that students work with a variety of peers and are challenged in different ways.

Offer Choices

Give students options in how they learn and how they demonstrate their understanding. This could be as simple as offering a choice of books to read or more complex, such as allowing students to choose between a written report, a multimedia presentation, or a creative project.

Incorporate Technology

Technology offers a wealth of resources for differentiation. Online tools and apps can provide personalized learning experiences, adaptive assessments, and opportunities for students to explore content at their own pace.

Reflect and Adjust

Differentiation is an ongoing process. Regularly reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and be willing to adjust your approach based on your student’s needs and feedback.

Differentiation is more than just a teaching strategy; it’s a philosophy that places students at the center of the learning process. By acknowledging and addressing the diverse needs of students, differentiation creates a more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environment. It challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all education and instead promotes equity, growth, and a love for learning in all students. In today’s classrooms, where diversity is the norm, differentiation is not just important—it’s essential. By committing to differentiation, educators can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.

What Does Your School’s Student Performance Data Mean?

Schools are required to share outcomes with parents.  Frequently, schools share information about the state student assessment outcomes on the school’s website or they invite parents to an informational session where they share and explain their outcomes.  Most schools even have a specific plan for addressing gaps or areas of lower performance, and they often share these plans with parents.  But parents need to ask, “Where is my voice in addressing this data?”

Parents typically view student outcomes differently from that of teachers and school-based staff.  Parents interact daily with their children and have been observers of their child’s academic successes and shortcomings for years.  It is important that parents and school teams work more intentionally together to discuss data and academic outcomes so all groups can move forward together, aligned in a plan to build academic success.

What Schools Can Do

Educators are experts on delivering information and planning activities for students to process that information.  The best educators plan activities that are collaborative, engaging, and get students excited about their own learning and growth.  Despite this expertise, parent sessions are too often just presented in one direction: the presenter shares information for the parents to hear, then a few questions are answered.  But schools can create parent data sessions that are more engaging and purposeful using the same strategies they use with students:

• Chalk-Talk-Walk: Parents can move around the room and write responses to questions that are posted on the walls. At each poster, parents can discuss a piece of data or answer a question about programming that will help school leaders make decisions using their feedback. 
• Think-Pair-Share: When presenting data, staff can have parents think about a piece of data, talk with another parent about it, and then share out with the whole group. Giving parents time to process what they are seeing will help them ask more meaningful questions and provide specific feedback.
• Socratic Seminars: If there is a gap identified in the outcomes, educators can create space where parents can discuss the issue and possible solutions. This strategy will focus heavily on the school staff asking questions and listening, not being the source of all information and solutions.

What Parents Can Do

• When presented with data, parents can think about it in the following ways:
  • Descriptive: What do I see? Parents can take time to identify successes, growth, low scores, or gaps between groups of students (e.g., boys/girls, English Learners/General Education, etc.)
  • Diagnostic: Why do I think the data looks the way it does? Why do I think kids are performing lower in math?  Why do I think girls outperform boys?
  • Predictive: What issues do I think will occur if we don’t address these gaps?
  • Prescriptive: What do I think we need to do about the gaps I see?

Parents should not be afraid to share their experiences and opinions. Their perspective matters and is very valuable to school teams.  Sometimes parents will hold a critical piece of information that will help everyone make a better decision about how to move forward. Parents should also not be passive recipients of school data and information.  All must engage, ask questions, and offer advice based on their experiences as parents.

The 10 Best Differentiated Instruction Teaching Strategies for K-12 Classrooms

Differentiated instruction is essential for meeting the diverse needs of students across all grade levels. Whether you’re teaching kindergarteners or high school seniors, here are my recommended strategies that can help you create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

1. Flexible Grouping

Flexible grouping involves organizing students into groups based on their learning needs, interests, or abilities. Groups can be formed and reformed as needed, allowing students to work with different peers and on different tasks. This strategy promotes collaboration and ensures that all students receive targeted instruction.

2. Tiered Assignments

Tiered assignments involve creating different levels of tasks that vary in complexity but address the same key concepts or skills. This allows students to work on tasks that match their readiness level, ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged and supported.

3. Choice Boards

Choice boards offer students a menu of activity options to demonstrate their understanding of a concept. This strategy allows students to choose how they learn and express what they’ve learned, catering to different learning styles and interests.

4. Learning Centers or Stations

Learning centers or stations are designated areas in the classroom where students engage in different activities. Each station can focus on a specific skill or concept, and students rotate through them. This allows for differentiated content and process, as students can work at their own pace and level.

5. Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers help students visually organize information, making it easier to understand and retain. They are especially useful for students who struggle with organizing their thoughts. This strategy can be used across subjects and grade levels to support critical thinking and comprehension.

6. Anchor Activities

Anchor activities are ongoing assignments that students can work on independently when they finish their main tasks early. These activities should be meaningful and related to the content being taught. They allow for differentiation by providing additional practice or enrichment opportunities based on student needs.

7. Scaffolded Instruction

Scaffolding involves providing temporary support to help students accomplish tasks they might not be able to complete independently. This can include breaking tasks into smaller steps, providing visual aids, or offering guided practice. As students gain confidence and skills, the support is gradually removed.

8. Think-Pair-Share

Think-Pair-Share is a collaborative learning strategy where students first think about a question or problem individually, then discuss their ideas with a partner, and finally share their thoughts with the larger group. This strategy encourages all students to participate and allows for differentiated processing of information.

9. Differentiated Assessment

Differentiated assessment involves providing students with multiple ways to demonstrate their learning. This could include written assignments, oral presentations, creative projects, or digital media. By offering various assessment options, you can accommodate different learning styles and abilities. (Student-Engaged Assessment: Strategies to Empower All Learners provides extensive examples on how teachers can empower students to identify and demonstrate their learning as self-assessors.)

10. Personalized Learning Plans

Personalized learning plans are tailored to meet the specific needs, interests, and goals of individual students. These plans can include specific learning objectives, preferred learning strategies, and targeted interventions. While time-intensive, they are particularly effective for supporting students with unique learning needs.

Implementing these high-yield strategies in your classroom can help you create a more dynamic, responsive, and supportive learning environment for all students, from kindergarten to 12th grade.