Chuck Parish - Teaching the Science of Reading

Hi, I'm Chuck Parish...

I am currently teaching Bible, Math, Reading and Science to 6th-Grade Students in El Paso, TX. I am highly interested in English Language and Reading, grades 6-12.

You can read my most current Blog posts by clicking one of the links below:

• Empowering Young Minds Through the Science of Reading (October 31st)
• Unlocking Potential: The Science of Reading in an El Paso Classroom (October 30th)
• Building Strong Readers: The Power of Science-Based Literacy Instruction (October 29th)
• Negotiation Planning (October 28th)

This website & blog are designed to be a place where teachers of the Science of Reading can communicate and collaborate in a safe and supportive environment. Feel free to:

• share your thoughts and ideas
• upload your favorite resources
• and share your favorite links

The Science of Reading: A Foundation for 6th Graders - A Curated Approach

Reading isn’t just a skill we develop to enjoy stories or pass a test - it's a vital tool that allows us to unlock the world around us. For young minds, learning to read well shapes everything they can achieve. In my classroom, I see students engaging with subjects from science to math, I notice that their ability to understand and interpret text is the bridge that connects them to these subjects.

In the same way that a blog or journal connects people to knowledge and community, reading skills connect students to deeper thinking and critical reflection. When they engage in reading activities, like annotating or summarizing, they’re building a skill set that goes beyond simply sounding out words. They’re learning to interpret, analyze, and appreciate the purpose behind what they’re reading. “Higher-order thinking skills such as assessment, interpretation, validation, analysis, critique, synthesis, evaluation, creativity, and imagination can – and should – be encouraged through writing (Poore, 2016, p. 137),” and this is also true for reading.

What We Know About Reading

Current research breaks reading into several building blocks, from phonemic awareness and vocabulary to comprehension. Just like setting up a blog, where each post or page adds to the whole, every part of reading builds on itself. Students might start by learning to decode words, but understanding those words in context - being able to pull meaning from them - is the true measure of success. For my students, who are already bilingual, this understanding is particularly rich, as they bring in experiences and language from their Hispanic culture.

Reading Skills in the 6th Grade

My 6th grade students are starting to face more complex texts, much like stepping up from a simple blog to something with more structure and depth. I emphasize comprehension, critical thinking, and synthesis. I ask students to reflect, question, and even critique what they read. They’re not only understanding the text but are also starting to engage in deeper discussions, analyzing characters, themes, and even author’s intent. In my classroom, “blogging can motivate students to try harder when they know that their work is being published to the world (Poore, 2016, p. 138),” and in a similar way, their reading takes on more purpose when they see it as part of their academic and personal growth.

Practical Classroom Applications

We know that just as students take pride in a blog post or a creative project, they take pride in their reading when it has purpose. Activities like group discussions, journals, and even peer reviews help reinforce this. In our reading sessions, we focus on making reading an interactive, thoughtful activity. The Science of Reading supports this approach, showing that reading instruction is most effective when it’s varied, engaging, and adapted to each student’s needs.

References:
Poore, M. (2016). Using social media in the classroom 2nd edition. Sage Publications, Ltd.

I invite you to learn with me side-by-side as we explore the exciting and growing field called the Science of Reading!

And while your here, be sure to stop by my BLOG where you can read some of my ideas on topics and current events in the field of reading instruction.

Blessings!

Chuck
last updated: October 31, 2024