Raising Readers, Writers, and Spellers

Education

5 Reasons Every Child Should Learn Handwriting

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on June 18, 2024

4. Handwriting improves thinking. (Yours, too.)

4. Handwriting improves thinking. (Yours, too.)

Memory

Why America Still Can’t Read

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on May 23, 2024

Schools where spelling isn’t being taught will continue to have many students who struggle with reading.

Schools where spelling isn’t being taught will continue to have many students who struggle with reading.

Cognition

Celebrating Dyslexia as a Special Way of Thinking

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on May 7, 2024

Research shows that dyslexic people have five ways of thinking that are not only different from non-dyslexics but biologically engineered to benefit humanity.

Research shows that dyslexic people have five ways of thinking that are not only different from non-dyslexics but biologically engineered to benefit humanity.

Education

Elite Universities Call for Change in Reading Education

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on September 18, 2023

In a historic development, major universities are breaking away from decades of teacher training for reading that has been deemed harmful to children.

In a historic development, major universities are breaking away from decades of teacher training for reading that has been deemed harmful to children.

Education

Making the Most of Neuroscience for Teaching Reading

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on June 21, 2023

Something is worth learning if it affects the learner’s actual behavior and life outcomes. Perhaps nothing does that better than learning to read.

Something is worth learning if it affects the learner’s actual behavior and life outcomes. Perhaps nothing does that better than learning to read.

Education

5 Ways to Achieve Better Reading Outcomes Based on Science

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on February 27, 2023

An unrelenting Science of Reading movement is making headlines everywhere—in research reports, major newspapers, podcasts, and social media. Here’s what you should know.

An unrelenting Science of Reading movement is making headlines everywhere—in research reports, major newspapers, podcasts, and social media. Here’s what you should know.

Neuroscience

New Riveting Reports on Neuroscience, Dyslexia, and Reading

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

Reading theory and practice are coming together to help children both with and without dyslexia become better readers, writers, and spellers. There’s a call for change.

Reading theory and practice are coming together to help children both with and without dyslexia become better readers, writers, and spellers. There’s a call for change.

Resilience

Vulnerable Students Need Explicit Spelling Instruction

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on August 31, 2022

We must teach spelling to all students vulnerable to academic failure.

We must teach spelling to all students vulnerable to academic failure.

Memory

Is Your Second Grader Ready for Second Grade?

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on July 19, 2022

Here’s a quick check to see if a child who is just entering second grade has achieved grade level literacy expectations supported by developmental cognitive science.

Here’s a quick check to see if a child who is just entering second grade has achieved grade level literacy expectations supported by developmental cognitive science.

Neuroscience

K-1 Literacy Milestones Based on 5 Science-Based Facts

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Do you know if your kindergartner or first grader is developing as expected as a reader, writer, and speller? Check these K-1 literacy milestones.

Do you know if your kindergartner or first grader is developing as expected as a reader, writer, and speller? Check these K-1 literacy milestones.

Resilience

New Study Highlights Integrating Spelling Instruction

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on May 5, 2022

Teaching spelling explicitly is a workable solution for addressing the current problem of reading failure in America. Spelling for learning to read begins in kindergarten.

Teaching spelling explicitly is a workable solution for addressing the current problem of reading failure in America. Spelling for learning to read begins in kindergarten.

Memory

What Your First Grader’s Writing Shows About Reading

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on November 7, 2021

Do you want to know if your first-grade child or student is on track for learning to read? Find out with a close look at the child's writing.

Do you want to know if your first-grade child or student is on track for learning to read? Find out with a close look at the child's writing.

Relationships

What Your Kindergartner’s Writing Shows About Reading

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on October 4, 2021

Want to know if your kindergartner or a kindergarten student is making progress on the pathway to literacy? Here's what you need to find out.

Want to know if your kindergartner or a kindergarten student is making progress on the pathway to literacy? Here's what you need to find out.

Memory

5 Practical Assessment Tips for Tutoring Struggling Readers

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on August 3, 2021

Do you want to know if a child is missing essential foundational literacy skills? Reading science and common sense come together in these quick assessments.

Do you want to know if a child is missing essential foundational literacy skills? Reading science and common sense come together in these quick assessments.

Education

Dyslexia and the Importance of Teaching Foundational Skills

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on May 19, 2021

America can fix an epidemic of failure surrounding dyslexia by teaching foundational reading, spelling, and handwriting skills.

America can fix an epidemic of failure surrounding dyslexia by teaching foundational reading, spelling, and handwriting skills.

Memory

Put Beginning Reading Science to Use

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on February 10, 2021

It's time for reading scientists and educators to share knowledge and inspire change.

It's time for reading scientists and educators to share knowledge and inspire change.

Education

Why Spelling Instruction Should Be Hot in 2022—2023

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on January 5, 2021

Research says teaching spelling explicitly in a grade-by-grade curriculum is a solution for helping all children become better readers.

Research says teaching spelling explicitly in a grade-by-grade curriculum is a solution for helping all children become better readers.

Attention

4 Lessons on Teaching Your Baby to Read From a Mom in India

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on November 22, 2020

Can babies/toddlers really read? Don't be skeptical. A mom from India shares her remarkable story and shows you how it's done.

Can babies/toddlers really read? Don't be skeptical. A mom from India shares her remarkable story and shows you how it's done.

Education

Science Says Reading Education Must Change

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on September 23, 2020

Cognitive psychologists are among those leading a revolution in reading education based on science. This is a call to action to save struggling readers.

Cognitive psychologists are among those leading a revolution in reading education based on science. This is a call to action to save struggling readers.

Education

Science for Early Literacy Learning Really Matters

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on July 16, 2020

Some reading scientists and educators are innovating and reinventing themselves during the COVID era. Will technology and long-distance learning lead to new education solutions?

Some reading scientists and educators are innovating and reinventing themselves during the COVID era. Will technology and long-distance learning lead to new education solutions?