Ep.39: The One About… Multicomponent Literacy Instruction with Bruce Howlett

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The One About…
Multicomponent Literacy Instruction with Bruce Howlett
Article:
Our Choice: Rapidly Translate, Evaluate and Adopt Innovative Literacy Methods or Prolong the Reading Wars
Bruce Howlett with Caitlin S. Howlett, Ph.D.
September 6, 2023
(Opinions presented are those of the guest authors and not necessarily those of SPELL-Links |
Learning By Design. They are presented to generate new insights, critical thinking, and solutions for educators and learners.)
Excerpt:
“As we will see, scholars have questioned the major points of contention — explicit teaching versus implicit learning, and word recognition versus meaning – and found them to be false dichotomies; what the two camps see as opposing concepts are so interdependent as to be inseparable. From this fresh perspective these thought leaders have crafted a new path forward for developmental literacy instruction.
This refreshing perspective has been hiding in plain sight, with its transformative concepts and methods wholly absorbed into the preexisting beliefs and values of both camps. So too, has a solution to the other pressing literacy improvement issue, the lack of a process to rapidly translate and evaluate innovative research into activities that any teacher could successfully use with any student.
We have a choice – continue to debate illusionary conflicts, keep talking past each other and attempting to convert the opposition to our side, while pushing for more time-consuming training — or we can move forward, embracing concepts and methods that clearly supersede – but do not negate – our present beliefs, values and practices.” – Bruce and Caitlin Howlett, co-
authors of Sparking the Reading Shift
Link to the Article
https://learningbydesign.com/professional-development/spell-links-blogue/
Bio:
Bruce Howlett applies his long experience in biological research at Cornell University
when developing innovative instruction for his special education students. For over 30
years, Bruce has worked with literacy researchers, speech therapists, and reading
teachers to create innovative instruction for long-struggling readers.
Sparking the Reading Shift is his fifth project.
Bruce believes in the power of innovative methods as his own difficulties with reading
fluency, spelling and listening dissipated when, at the age of 40, he began working with a speech therapist on phonemic awareness lessons for their mutual students.
Bruce is currently working on Sparking the Fluency Shift which combines 15 rehearsal
activities that allow the student to practice challenging words and phrases before reading short stories that are arranged by Lexile Level.
Contact:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bruce.howlett1
Twitter – Sparking the Reading Shift
[e-mail]

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The Literacy View is an engaging and inclusive platform encouraging respectful discussion and debate about current issues in education.
Co-hosts Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner coach teachers, teach children to read, and hold master's degrees in education.
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