Hello All, I just read Deb McLaughlin's April 14 post about structured reading programs, especially for readers who are behind in skills. I wanted to add another interesting idea from the magazine Educational Leadership written in last fall's October 07 issue on providing interesting books with no timeable as a way to get disinterested readers to "break through". Research says there is overwhelming evidence that free voluntary reading of interesting books develops literacy. This means no book reports, no comprehension questions, and the freedom to put down and pick up the book whenever one chooses. There are many interesting books for low readers too.There is also evidence that children who get involved in free reading often end up picking what experts would call "good books". (That is heartening!) Based on this article among many and much other brain-based research on reader development, the belief that "once a poor reader always a poor reader" is just not true.

Penny Cuninggim