One Minute Reader Blog

5 Meaningful Ways for Students to Honor Their Teachers

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:40:58 GMT

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up soon, starting on May 4, 2026! Let’s support students in celebrating their teachers with love and gratitude. Here are five meaningful ways students can honor their teachers during this special week.

Write a thank-you letter.
One of the most touching ways to express appreciation is through a heartfelt letter. Have students take a moment to reflect on the ways their teachers have impacted them; then ask them to write down their thoughts. If your students are struggling with what to say, we've got you covered! Download our free thank-you letter template to get started. Students can personalize it with memories and experiences to show their teachers how special they are.
Create a video tribute.
In the digital age, there's no better way to share your love than with a video tribute. A group of students can gather and record messages of gratitude, recalling their favorite moments or lessons from the year. If they’re able to, they can use video editing software to compile the recordings into a single video as a special surprise for their teacher.
Make a gift.
Have students coordinate with their classmates to make a thoughtful gift such as a scrapbook filled with messages, drawings, and photographs from the class. Alternatively, students could pool resources to purchase a gift card, educational supplies, or a subscription to a teaching resource.
Decorate the teacher's door or workspace.
Students will love to get creative and decorate their teacher's door or workspace with messages of appreciation, drawings, or quotes. There are endless ways to make this activity memorable for the students and special for the teacher.
Volunteer.
A wonderful way to show appreciation is to give back. Students can offer to help their teacher with tasks such as organizing the classroom, assisting with lesson preparation, or even tutoring fellow students. Demonstrating their commitment to the learning process is a meaningful way for students to thank their teachers for their hard work and dedication.

Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible educators in our students’ lives. A small act of gratitude can make a world of difference, so let's make this year's Teacher Appreciation Week one our teachers will never forget!

Attention Parents: Tips for Boosting Literacy Over the Summer

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:57:26 GMT

Summer calendars tend to get very busy, despite many parents' best attempts to give their children plenty of unstructured free time. Quiet time to read might not earn a spot on the family calendar, but it should be highly prioritized nonetheless. Here are some tips to entice your kids to make reading part of their daily summer routine:

Make it fun!

Ask a librarian or your child’s teacher for popular reading suggestions—not just the titles on the Summer Reading List, but a list of student favorites. Which books flew off the shelves this year?
Find ways to connect your child’s interests to literacy-boosting activities. For example, a child who loves baseball can write a letter to a favorite player. An avid Minecraft player could be encouraged to read a book about the game. A super competitive kid might love the facts in the Guinness Book of World Records. A kid who loves arts and crafts could cut text out of magazines to create word collages or read a how-to book to learn something new.

Make screen time count

Download Splat-O-Nym on an iPad to help your child build vocabulary skills. This independent word game includes over 8,000 questions teaching synonyms, antonyms, and words in context.
Sign your child up for One Minute Reader . For just $24 ($8/month), your child can work independently to develop their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills all summer long! One Minute Reader provides high-interest, nonfiction content and other engaging features. It's a structured and motivating way to keep them reading and ensure they make meaningful strides in their abilities. Here is a flyer with more information about how One Minute Reader can help combat the Summer Slide in reading.

Involve friends and family

Encourage your child to write letters to friends or family members. Not only does this help develop their writing skills, but it also helps them stay in touch with loved ones. Hopefully they get some letters back to practice their reading skills!
Set aside time for a read aloud. Take turns with your child to help them develop reading stamina.

Learn more about reading instruction

Learn about the five components of reading your child needs to develop in order to become a successful reader.

We at One Minute Reader believe reading is the most important activity children should be engaged in this summer. We hope you get a chance to enjoy some good reading time, too!

Understanding Dyslexia

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:15:00 GMT

Your struggling readers have likely asked themselves, or you, “Why is reading hard for me?” Sometimes, there is not a clear reason. With a little extra help, many struggling readers are simply able to crack the code and catch up. Other times, there is a clear reason: For millions of people, it’s dyslexia. Unfortunately, many individuals with dyslexia remain undiagnosed and have a more difficult time catching up to their peers.

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in the country, affecting about 1 in 10 individuals. People with dyslexia have normal IQs, but differences in their brains make reading much harder for them. The dyslexic brain has a more difficult time understanding how letters and letter combinations represent sounds, and how letters are combined to form syllables and words. The symptoms of this learning disability include trouble with decoding, spelling, rhyming, and phonological awareness. If you have a child who may fit this criteria, visit the International Dyslexia Association page for self-assessment tools that provide information about diagnosing dyslexia in specific age groups.

Humiliation about their learning struggles often causes students with dyslexia to retreat from class participation, lose confidence in their abilities, and underperform in school. Many go on to struggle in other key areas of their lives. To break this cycle, a greater understanding of dyslexia is essential. Teachers must be trained to identify dyslexia early on and provide appropriate intervention. When students with dyslexia receive the right kind of support, they are just as capable of performing well in school as their peers. Students who get additional support at home are more likely to reach their literacy goals more quickly.

Sally Shaywitz, renowned dyslexia researcher and author of Overcoming Dyslexia , states that students with dyslexia typically need intensive, individualized instruction with feedback, guidance, and ongoing assessment in phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading fluency. Instructional programs should emphasize these core elements as well as building vocabulary and increasing comprehension. Reading researchers, including Shaywitz, recommend Read Naturally programs for providing this type of instruction. Read Naturally is the parent company of One Minute Reader. One Minute Reader was adapted from Read Naturally programs so that kids could use an effective reading tool independently at home.

One Minute Reader and Read Naturally programs build phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through high-interest nonfiction stories. The strategy used in these programs was designed to help students build confidence and motivation through self monitoring of progress. One Minute Reader and Read Naturally programs have helped countless students with dyslexia become competent readers.

Dyslexia is a clear barrier to learning to read, but One Minute Reader can provide a clear pathway around this barrier. It's an ideal program to use at home with kids who need extra help becoming competent readers. Try it out for a free week! After that, it's only $8/month.

Motivate Kids to Read More!

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:39:59 GMT

After decades of helping struggling and reluctant readers, we know this for sure: The more kids read, the faster they'll improve. In One Minute Reader , the quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. So how can you motivate kids to increase the number of stories they read?

The One Minute Reader system is inherently motivating, but here are a couple more tips to get kids even more excited:

Incentives! One Minute Reader gives kids points as they work through the steps for each story. Kids have fun accumulating these points--especially if they result in a reward! Many parents like to offer a small token (a treat, a sticker, a bit of screen time) when their child reaches a certain number of points. Small rewards could also be offered after the child passes a certain number of One Minute Reader stories or gets through a certain number of books. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. When you acknowledge your child's improvement in reading, it's often the best reward of all.
Change the number of required Read Alongs and Read Alones based on performance. The One Minute Reader program requires kids to read along with audio recordings of the story and then to practice reading the story alone until able to read the story fluently. In the beginning, kids will often need to read along with the recording and practice the story more than once. However, if your child is making great progress and seems ready for a challenge, you can reduce the number of times they're required to read along and practice. (Parents can change these settings or each reader under the My Readers button in the reader management system.) This will allow them to progress through the stories more quickly. Conversely, kids who are not making the progress you'd expect may benefit from increasing the number of Read Alongs and Read Alones required until they become more fluent.
Do additional research. One Minute Reader stories are about fascinating nonfiction topics. Kids working through the program will learn about everything from the invention of popsicles to meat-eating plants to barrier-breaking athletes. When your child seems particularly interested in a certain topic, it's easy to turn that interest into additional minutes of reading. Help them google more facts about the topic, or better yet, help them find a book about it at the library. The extra time they spend researching and reading about their favorite topic will translate into increased reading proficiency.
Read together. Reading with your kids is one of the most effective ways to help them improve. When parents take the time to read with struggling or reluctant readers, the kids experience reading as enjoyable instead of frustrating. Teaching them words they may not know or asking them to read paragraphs aloud with you are great strategies to build their competence. One Minute Reader helps kids improve their reading skills independently. When parents combine this program with quality reading time together, kids tend to reach their reading goals quickly and with minimal frustration.

So much of parenting involves trying to motivate kids to do things they need to do but may not want to do . Struggling and reluctant readers often stay stuck because they lack the desire to practice. Finding little ways to encourage them to read more and to read consistently is essential. We at One Minute Reader are here to help! Check out a free trial of our motivating program today, or get in touch with your questions.

Conference Hacks From Parents and Teachers

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:45:00 GMT

It's already parent-teacher conference season! Soon you'll be heading into your child's classroom (or hopping on a zoom with your child's teacher) to hear how the school year has been going so far. In your opinion, what makes a parent-teacher conference successful and productive?

We recently asked parents and teachers this question. Here is a compilation of the ideas we received--the list includes everything from how teachers can provide parents flexibility in scheduling to why it's important to have a variety of jelly bean flavors in the teacher's candy dish. As you read through this list, what would you add?

From parent Dan E.:

I love when teachers communicate ahead of time about what they intend to discuss and provide prompts for us (parents) to think about questions we might have for them. Also, it is common to hear things like, "Be sure to let me know if you have any additional questions about your student." But it is even better if they reach out after the conference to continue the conversation -- "It was great to talk with you about your child's progress. Do you have any additional questions for me or the educational team?" This second method invites a response in real time and makes conversation very easy.

From teacher Sarah Jane S.:

Find ways to communicate with parents regularly (classroom newsletters, phone calls, emails) so that the conference isn’t the first time you’ve talked with the parents.
Create a collaborative atmosphere by asking questions such as, “What are you seeing at home?”, “What is your child interested in?”, “How do you think we should move forward?”, “How can we help you?", "Are there any resources you need?”
Preview the expectations for the next grade level--both academically and socially.
Offer flexible times for the conference to allow for parents’ work schedules.
Finally, make sure the lights are scheduled to stay on if you are meeting with parent in the evening after work. One year, I found myself sitting in the dark during a parent-teacher conference. The only way to get the lights back on was to activate the motion sensor…so in addition to the darkness, I had to start jumping up and down to get the lights back on. Awkward!

From parent Katie P.:

I love going in and meeting with the teachers and seeing the students' work, but just yesterday, I did a phone conference because I didn't have child care. It was a very productive phone call and we filled the whole 15-minute time slot. I felt confident that if I needed more time I could schedule another call or send an email. I was so grateful for this option!

From teacher Sue M.:

Always start with a cute positive story about the student. I kept little notes about funny and sweet things the kids said or did. I always made sure every conference was about 20 minutes, a decent amount of time. There is nothing worse than talking to one set of parents, knowing that other parents are lined up in the hallway. Assign times, and keep a watch on the conference table. Have a bowl of jelly beans on the table too. I still remember the time a dad asked me why there were no orange jelly beans in the bowl. "The orange are my favorite," he said. "Well, they're my favorite, too," I replied. We goth got a good laugh out of that!

From parent Laura W.:

I like to hear the plan of what is going to happen at the start. When I know we are going to review their written work, look at their report card, etc., I know what to expect. My kids are little but reading their writing samples is my favorite part of conferences. I like in-person conferences but it is also nice to do them virtually and not have to worry about childcare!

From parent Stephanie J.:

My kiddo's teacher spends more time with my kid than I do during the week, so I really appreciate stories, anecdotes, anything... We care much more these days about how our kiddo is relating to peers and other adults, so insight from their teacher is valuable. If there are academic issues, I hope that information could be shared any time with conferences as an opportunity to get a status check. Lastly, I really want to know what teachers would find helpful from us parents to support them on a daily/weekly basis.

From teacher Karen M.:

Don’t forget to include the interventionist if your student is receiving Title I or English Learner services. When I worked in Title I, I did this different ways depending on the desires of the classroom teacher. Usually, I set up a time slot right after the classroom time slot, so that the parents could visit in the room where their child received services. This option gave the teacher enough time for the classroom conference, and I had enough time for a relaxed conversation about intervention services. Other classroom teachers liked to include me in their conferences with the parent. Either way, parents liked to hear about their student’s progress towards grade-level performance.

From parent Traci S.:

My kids' school does student-led conferences. Kids do a slide presentation on grades, goals, and examples of high-quality work. I like this format, but if I had a concern, I wouldn't bring it up at a student-led conference. In that case, I would request to meet with the teacher without my kid there.

From parent Yesenia A.:

I absolutely love conferences. My main goal is: Are they at grade level? Are they being challenged? What can I reinforce at home? I feel like parents should have homework at the end of the conference--literally, what to reinforce/model at home.

From teacher and parent Lizzi K.:

As a teacher, I want to know if the child is enjoying school and any concerns the parent has. I go over lots of academics, but those are my main questions. As a parent, I want to know if my child is a good friend and if the teacher has any specific concerns.

From parent Kelli S.:

We've filled out a short questionnaire before conferences where we can list any concerns and what's going well. I assume that's nice for the teacher to have to prepare. I've always liked when the teacher shares some personal stories or quirks about my kid, to show me they know/understand them. I think it's really important not to wait until conferences to share concerns. Also, I would love for schools to keep offering virtual conferences! That eliminates the need for finding childcare or taking off work.

From teacher Karen H.:

Never, never, never surprise a parent with a bad grade or with serious concerns about a student’s behavior at a parent/teacher conference (or on a report card sent home)! Ongoing communication and support should be initiated as soon as a problem is recognized. Then the focus of the parent/teacher conference can be on the progress a student is making and/or the next steps needed to continue to support the student.

Do you have anything to add? Contact us to let us know! Thank you all for taking the time to make parent-teacher conferences a success this year and always.

Get Your Child Reading at Grade Level with One Minute Reader

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:30:33 GMT

Picture this: Your child just got home from school. You tell him to go read for 20 minutes while you get dinner ready. He grabs a book and a spot on the couch, and you smile as you hear the pages turn. When it’s time to eat you ask, “What did you read about?” Your child hesitates, fumbling to form an answer. Suddenly, you wonder—was he even reading? You start to worry: Is he struggling with reading? How can you make sure he’s actually practicing when you don’t have time to supervise every reading session?

You’re not alone. Many children across the country are reading below grade level, and their parents often don’t have the time or resources to give them the support they need.

Enter One Minute Reader . This independent reading program accelerates reading development through structured, scaffolded support using an evidence-based system. With One Minute Reader, it’s easy for parents to increase their child’s time spent actually reading.

What are the benefits?

Students…

Expand knowledge base by reading interesting nonfiction text.
Receive structured audio support to learn words and improve expression.
Quickly experience success and an improved attitude toward reading.
Engage in self-directed learning.
Develop fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills.
Gain confidence from seeing their scores improve.

Parents…

Access detailed graphs and reports on their child’s performance.
Feel confident that their child is receiving evidence-based reading support.
Have more time to focus on their child’s other needs.
Know that their child is spending more time actually reading.

How does it work?

One Minute Reader accelerates reading achievement by combining the research-proven components of the Read Naturally Strategy : teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring. Children work at their own pace, progressing through an appropriate level of material as the program guides them step by step. They master each story by reading along with an audio recording and practicing until they can read it fluently. The program automatically tracks their progress, allowing for easy monitoring even when you don’t have time to sit down with your child as they read.

By making reading engaging and accessible, One Minute Reader bridges the gap between learning to read and reading to learn. Try it out for free !

Valentine's Day Literacy Activities

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:15:00 GMT

Valentine’s Day, a holiday about love, seems to instead fill a large portion of the population with dread. If romance isn’t your thing, you feel doomed. If you’re unpartnered, you feel left out. If you’re a teacher, you’re bracing yourself for a day of mayhem and over-sugared students. And if you’re a parent of school-aged children, your living space is suddenly littered with dozens of valentines your children need to address. Does anyone actually love this holiday?

Perhaps those of us working with struggling readers can reclaim it. After all, the written word is central to many of the ways we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are some Valentine’s Day-themed literacy ideas parents can do with their kids leading up to the holiday:

Have kids write a “love letter” to their favorite book or One Minute Reader story. In the letter, they should explore how the book/story relates to their own life and why it is meaningful to them.
Require kids to use their school spelling words, challenging vocabulary words, or words from One Minute Reader stories as they write valentines to friends and family.
Have kids use candy conversation hearts as starting points for thinking about and creating sentences. For example, how could a heart that says “Be Mine” be turned into a question or a declarative sentence?
Explore the genre of poetry and teach kids about simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, and rhyme. You could even read a few Shakespearean Sonnets together—it’s never too early!
Allow kids to eat a treat and then think of five or more adjectives to describe it.
The Internet is full of Valentine’s Day-themed printables, worksheets, and projects , such as word finds and puzzles. Or, design your own incorporating the words your students are currently studying.
And of course, read plenty of feel-good and Valentine’s Day-themed books aloud to your kids, followed by meaningful discussion about the books' vocabulary and themes.

We can also encourage parents to reframe how they think about all the valentines littering their homes, waiting to be addressed. Are they a tedious chore? Or do they provide SO MUCH reading and writing practice? (I’ll admit, I might need this reminder.)

If you have any ideas to add to our list, we’d love to hear them. We’ll be thinking of you and your kids with great admiration leading up to Valentine's Day, and always!

13 Ways to Boost Literacy This Winter (Free Printables Included!)

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:18:18 GMT

Regardless of where kids are on their reading journey, there are countless ways to incorporate reading into cozy days at home this winter. Here are some easy ideas for kids to try at home over winter break and beyond!

Have kids think of the trusted friends, family members, or adults in their lives who can read, and encourage them to read aloud with these people as often as possible. Depending on their reading ability, they can simply listen to a book read aloud, or they can take turns reading and being read to. Have the kids fill out this Read-Aloud Log every time someone reads to them or every time they read to someone. You could offer a small reward for completing this activity every day of winter break (or every day during a predetermined time period). Reading aloud to their pets, stuffed animals, or even to themselves counts too!
Set up reading challenges in which kids set goals and record their minutes spent reading or the number of books they read.
Have kids color and decorate these winter-themed bookmarks to make reading even more fun.
Encourage kids to borrow books from the library and have a big pile to choose from on cozy winter days. See this Cozy Wintertime Book List for book ideas.
Refer to our 7 Ways to Create a Cozy Reading Environment document to create an ideal reading space.
Lend or gift kids the first book in a series that’s likely to hook them. Sometimes all it takes is the right series to turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm!
Incorporate reading time into other fun activities. For example, while making dinner or baking holiday treats, kids can read the recipes and write out the grocery lists.
Create a snowflake book wall. Print out this Snowflake Wall Template , and have kids fill out a snowflake each time they finish a book. Then, have them tape the snowflake to the wall.
Encourage kids to find ways to read while playing favorite games or while spending time on electronic devices. While playing games, have them read the game instructions aloud. While watching shows, have them turn on and read the subtitles.
Have kids practice reading and writing while completing this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt . They’ll get some fresh air too!
Refer to this Send Some Cheer printable for addresses to places where kids can send letters. Have them practice their writing skills and spread kindness by writing to kids in hospitals, senior citizens, refugee children, and more.
Set up daily One Minute Reader time, and see literacy progress in just minutes! This research-proven, parent-trusted program is free for 7 days and just $8/month after that. Your kids will have so much fun beating their goals, they won't want to stop.
Download the Splat-o-Nym vocabulary iPad app , which keeps kids entertained while boosting their vocabulary. Kids can try a free version of this game and purchase to get the full experience. Note that this app is only available for iPads, not smartphones or other devices.

Add your own ideas to this list! Our hope is for all kids to experience the joy of reading this winter season and always.

My Middle Schooler is Struggling to Read. Now What?

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:02:02 GMT

It can be incredibly disheartening to watch your middle schooler struggle with reading. You’re not alone—many parents are in the same boat. According to recent data, a significant number of 8th graders across the country are not reading at a proficient level. In fact, national assessments show that about two-thirds of 8th graders fall short of this crucial milestone.

The frustration is compounded by the fact that so many tools designed to build foundational reading skills are geared towards young children. Imagine being a middle schooler and being handed a book with stories like "See Jack Run." It's not just ineffective; it's patronizing. Older students need interventions that respect their maturity while addressing their unique challenges.

So, what do older students need when it comes to building literacy skills?

1. High-Interest, Age-Appropriate Content:

Older students benefit from reading materials that respect their maturity and intelligence. They’re more likely to engage with texts that are relevant and interesting to them. It’s essential to provide a variety of reading material so that students can choose topics that intrigue them. Having some choice over what they read can significantly increase their motivation and engagement.

2. Fluency Practice:

Fluency is a critical component of reading proficiency. The theory of automaticity suggests that students need to develop fluency to free up cognitive load for comprehending the text. Encourage your middle schooler to read aloud regularly, and to read the same text multiple times. This practice helps improve their rate, accuracy, and expression, making reading a more enjoyable and less laborious task.

3. Vocabulary Building:

A robust vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension. Older students can benefit from reading diverse materials and using tools like flashcards or vocabulary apps . Encourage them to record words they don’t know and sketch them out or use them in sentences.

4. Comprehension Strategies:

Teaching strategies like summarizing, questioning, and predicting can help improve comprehension. Discussing books and articles together can also enhance understanding and retention. Graphic organizers can be helpful tools for visualizing and organizing information, making it easier for students to grasp complex concepts.

5. Writing Integration:

Writing about what they read can help solidify comprehension and analytical skills. Encourage your child to keep a journal where they summarize what they’ve read, reflect on it, and connect it to their own experiences. Additionally, have them write predictions about what they think will happen next in the story or text. This exercise can enhance their engagement and critical thinking skills.

6. Use of Technology:

Leverage educational technology that offers personalized learning experiences. Apps and software designed for older students can adapt to their level and pace, providing targeted practice where they need it most.

7. Encouragement and Patience:

Building reading skills takes time and effort, especially for older students who may have struggled for years. Offer consistent encouragement and celebrate small victories to keep their motivation high. Setting measurable goals and tracking progress towards those goals can be very motivating. This allows students to see their success and understand that their efforts are paying off.

For parents looking for an effective tool to help their middle schoolers improve their reading skills, One Minute Reader is an excellent choice. The program’s nonfiction, high-interest content caters to learners of all ages, avoiding childish content and frameworks that can be discouraging for older students. With a variety of topics to choose from, it empowers students to select materials that interest them. One Minute Reader provides crucial fluency practice, vocabulary support, and comprehension checks, ensuring a comprehensive literacy approach. Furthermore, its progress tracking features, including graphs and reports, help students visualize their improvements, fostering a sense of achievement and motivating continued effort. This makes One Minute Reader an ideal resource for guiding students of all ages toward reading success.

Effective Strategies for Vocabulary Practice

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:49:02 GMT

The other day, my son asked me why blizzards are hazardous. The most interesting part of his question was the way he said the word hazardous. He pronounced it incorrectly, with a long a: HAYzardous. This told me he’d never heard the word spoken aloud before. However, when I probed him on the word’s meaning, he knew it exactly. How?

He came across the word in a book he was reading. He didn’t know what it meant, but he figured out the meaning using context clues. Sometimes an unknown word can stop a reader in their tracks, shutting down comprehension. But if the reader has the ability to figure the word out, comprehension can continue, and the new word becomes part of the reader’s vocabulary.

According to the research, vocabulary and comprehension are strongly linked. Students with low vocabulary scores tend to have low comprehension, and vice versa. Students acquire vocabulary incidentally through exposure to words at home and at school—by listening and talking, by reading books with adults, and by reading widely on their own.

Students, especially struggling readers, also benefit greatly if they are taught strategies for vocabulary acquisition. Vocabulary activities should aim to engage students in actively thinking about word meanings, the relationships among words, and how we can use words in different situations. Effective strategies for vocabulary practice include:

Student-Friendly Definitions : The meaning of a new word should be explained to students at their level, rather than just providing a dictionary definition.

Defining Words Within Context : The most effective time to introduce an unknown word’s meaning is often at the moment the reader meets the word in the text.

Using Context Clues : Students should learn to infer the meaning of a word by looking closely at surrounding text.

Sketching Words : For many students, it is easier to remember a word’s meaning by making a quick sketch that connects the word to something personally meaningful to the student.

Applying Words : When students are challenged to apply new words to their own experiences, they have another opportunity to deeply process its meaning.

Analyzing Word Parts : If students know the meanings of root words and affixes, they are more likely to understand a word containing these word parts.

Semantic Mapping : Semantic maps help students develop connections among words—for example, by writing an example, a non-example, a synonym, and an antonym.

Developing Word Consciousness : Students who are word conscious are aware of and interested in the words around them. Teachers can promote word consciousness by helping students use:

Language categories: Students learn to make finer distinctions in their word choices if they understand the relationships among words, such as synonyms, antonyms, and homographs.

Figurative language: The ability to use figures of speech is also a part of word-consciousness. The most common figures of speech are similes, metaphors, and idioms.

We’ve strongly incorporated vocabulary development into One Minute Reader . If your child is using One Minute Reader, there are many ways for them to build vocabulary and increase comprehension:

During the Cold Read step, they should click on unknown words to hear the words pronounced immediately.

During the Read Alone step, they should click on highlighted vocabulary words to see and hear the definitions.

They can also use our free Difficult Word List resource to sketch and record words they struggled with so that they may review them later.

For targeted, game-based vocabulary practice, check out the Splat-O-Nym iPad app . With audio support and immediate feedback, Splat-O-Nym helps students learn pronunciation and enhance their vocabulary acquisition through fun activities. The app includes over 7,000 synonym questions, 1,000 antonym questions, and 600 meaning-from-context questions.

After I answered my son’s question about blizzards, I high-fived him for figuring “HAYzardous” out as he read. At One Minute Reader, we're here to help you mitigate the hazards of low vocabulary and ensure your child has the tools they need to become a successful reader.

Comprehension Strategies That Work at Home

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:36:59 GMT

Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. Without it, a striving reader is just word calling. Strong comprehension allows kids to think critically as they read, enjoy stories on a deeper level, and apply what they learn from texts to real life.

Your kids are likely working on comprehension at school, but it's important--and easy!--to reinforce these skills at home. Research shows that interactive reading with adults has myriad benefits to kids, including deepening comprehension (National Reading Panel, 2000). Here are four easy strategies to try next time you read with your kids.

1. Ask Questions

Ask your child questions before, during, and after reading. This encourages them to consistently think about meaning from start to finish. If they know they need to answer questions about a story, they'll put more effort into understanding it. Ask your child questions such as:

Before reading: "What do you think this story will be about?
During reading: "Why do you think the character made that choice?" or "What do you think will happen next?"
After reading: "What lesson did the character learn?" or "What was the most exciting part of the story?"

2. Retell Stories

After reading together, ask your child to retell the story in their own words. This is one of the most effective ways to strengthen comprehension, as it helps kids recall details, put events in a sequence, and understand the main idea. Try the following ideas:

Ask your child to tell you what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Ask your child to pretend they're making a movie trailer for the story: How would they describe it?
Ask your child to act out the story as a play or puppet show.

3. Connect to Real Life

Kids are more able to understand and remember stories if they can connect them to their own lives. Making these connections personalizes their reading experience and makes the text more interesting and engaging. Ask your child questions such as:

"Have you ever felt like this character?"
"Do you know anyone who has had a similar experience?"
"How would you have handled the problem in this story?"
"Did the setting remind you of anyplace you've been?"

4. Have a Book "Show and Tell"

If your child wants to read a book with you that they've already read on their own, first ask them to do a "show and tell" about the book. Have them present it to you with prompts such as:

This book is about...
I think it's interesting because...
I want to read it with you because...
One thing it taught me was...
One thing I think you'll like about it is...
My favorite thing about it is...

You could incorporate weekly or monthly show and tells into your reading routine and make it a fun family activity.

Each of these strategies allows your child to build comprehension by reflecting on meaning and engaging in critical thinking. By making reading together an interactive activity, you're helping your child become a more curious and thoughtful learner.

If your child needs extra support in reading comprehension, check out One Minute Reader . As kids work through each high-interest, nonfiction story in this program, they build fluency and vocabulary--both of which are highly correlated with comprehension. They also focus directly on strengthening comprehension by answering questions at the end of each story. These questions are tied to specific comprehension-building strategies: finding the main idea, recalling key details, understanding vocabulary words in context, making inferences, and writing short-answer responses.

National Reading Panel. (2000). Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Fluency: A Byproduct of Decoding?

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

"Fluency is not an instructional target. It is the result of decoding instruction that leads to automatic word recognition."

"If a child can decode accurately and automatically, they do not need fluency practice."

"Fluency is an outcome of good decoding not a process to go through."

"Fluency is a byproduct of solid word recognition skills and not its own distinct subskill."

Have you ever heard someone say that reading fluency is just a natural byproduct of learning phonics? This idea has been a point of conversation lately in many literacy spaces, and surprisingly, it's not sparking much debate. Is reading fluency just a natural byproduct of decoding development? If only it were that simple! Fluency is one of the five essential components of reading because it’s a distinct part of skilled reading. Of course, the five components don’t exist in separate vacuums; they overlap and influence each other. Naturally, this can cause some confusion. Let’s discuss the relationship between phonics , fluency , and comprehension .

There’s no doubt that automatic word recognition is a key reason why text fluency is so highly correlated with comprehension. When children can automatically read words, their cognitive load is freed up for meaning-making. Children must first develop their decoding skills in order to eventually become automatic decoders. But is an automatic decoder the same as a fluent reader?

Consider this reading sample:

This reader is accurate and automatic, but his overall reading ability remains limited.

Now consider this reading sample:

This reader demonstrates accuracy and automaticity on a different level. Her reading sounds like speech. She doesn't simply read the words automatically, but she is also able to connect the words automatically and with expression to effectively convey meaning. This is a fluent reader.

Even with extensive phonics instruction and practice, many children still struggle to read well—with fluency. That’s because reading fluency goes far beyond automatic word recognition. It’s an amalgamation of accuracy , rate , and expression that can be applied automatically and seamlessly to authentic texts.

ACCURACY

Phonics instruction plays a crucial role in helping children decode words correctly. But fluency instruction takes students to the next level. Developing text fluency requires a lot of practice accurately recognizing words within multiple kinds of text, including the many words that are frequent in the language but less decodable (and even not decodable) according to the phonics rules. Furthermore, fluent readers don’t just recognize words correctly—they recognize them within the context of meaning. Take homographs, for example. Words such as read , live , and bass can be pronounced differently depending on the context. A fluent reader doesn’t just decode words—they interpret them correctly within the sentence, applying meaning as they read.

RATE

Isolated word lists help build automaticity in recognizing individual words, but reading fluency practice allows children to apply that automaticity within connected text. Children who practice fluency engage in large amounts of meaningful reading and repeated exposure to words in context, which accelerates their ability to process words efficiently. The more exposure they have to connected text, the easier it becomes to shift from effortful decoding, through automatic word recognition, to effortless, natural reading. It's important to note that the pace of natural reading falls within a reasonable range—neither too slow nor too fast. Fluent readers are not speed readers .

EXPRESSION

Decodable books provide structured phonics practice within text—which is very useful early in a reader's development. But they often contain limited vocabulary, unnatural sentence structures, and rigid formats that don’t reflect real-world reading. Fluent readers must develop intonation, phrasing, emphasis, and natural pausing. They must be able to automatically group words and read with appropriate rhythm. These aspects of text fluency are not addressed in phonics instruction. They develop through fluency instruction that includes modeled fluent reading, lots of practice, and timely feedback.

Accuracy, rate, and expression must work together for a child to become a truly fluent reader. Developing phonics skills is necessary, but usually reading fluency does not magically occur simply because a child masters decoding. Fluency requires explicit instruction and practice. And when children eventually read fluently, we can often hear that they understand what they are reading.

At One Minute Reader, we fully support explicit, systematic phonics instruction. However, we know that text fluency is also an essential component of reading that for many students requires a dedicated effort. If your child is ready to focus on fluency, we're here to help! One Minute Reader uses teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring to help children become confident, skilled readers. If your child needs to focus on phonics, we recommend a targeted phonics program like GATE+ that addresses all five components of reading.

To learn more about reading fluency and how to incorporate it into your reading practice, click here .

Building Confidence in Struggling Readers: A Parent's Guide

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:10:17 GMT

“I’m not smart enough.” “I’m bad at reading." Has your child ever said these things to you? How did you respond? Hearing these words can be heartbreaking, and as a parent, it's natural to want to reassure them with a quick, "That’s not true!" or “Don’t say that!” But these feelings of frustration and self-doubt require a deeper response.

Kids discover very early on that much of their experience at school hinges on reading—first learning to read and then reading to learn. When they struggle with reading, their confidence drops. The most effective thing we can do to help children rebuild their confidence is to help them build their competence.

What does that look like?

READING TOGETHER

Being present with your child while they read opens up opportunities for you to provide essential support. One powerful approach is teacher modeling , a research-proven strategy that helps developing readers learn unfamiliar words, improve pronunciation, and build fluency.

You can scaffold the support you provide by gradually releasing responsibility as their skills improve. For example, you may start by reading to them, then practice reading in tandem, taking turns, having them read to you, and eventually having them read more independently.

When your child is reading to you, you have the opportunity to correct errors in real time. Children want to read accurately, and error correction is an important part of helping them improve. Be sure to deliver corrections calmly and directly, without associating mistakes with judgment or shame. It’s crucial to create a learning environment where your child feels safe and supported.

Reading together is also a great opportunity to demonstrate the joy of reading. When you make this activity fun and interesting, kids will associate reading with a positive experience and be more motivated to keep it up.

PRACTICE TIME

Like any skill, reading improves with practice. One highly effective strategy is repeated reading , where a developing reader reads the same passage multiple times until they can read it fluently. This method helps them develop automaticity—the ability to recognize words quickly and accurately. This automatic recognition will transfer to new texts and free up mental energy to be able to focus more on comprehending the text.

Help your child understand that their brain is like a muscle—it grows stronger the more they use it. You can even set up a “reading gym” at home: a comfortable space where they can practice reading daily. Schedule time for them to use the reading gym every day. The more frequently your child reads, the more progress they’ll make.

MOTIVATION

To boost motivation and confidence, children need to be actively engaged in their own learning. Work with your child to set achievable reading goals, and find ways to track their progress using visual tools like graphs or charts. When students have specific goals, they demonstrate significantly higher self-efficacy. When they can monitor their own progress toward these goals, it helps them to feel motivated and invested in their efforts.

Give your child specific feedback and praise. Positive reinforcement should be tied not only to their effort but also to the strategies they use effectively. This builds self-awareness and reinforces the idea that they have control over their own learning.

RESOURCES

By now, you may be thinking, “This all makes sense, but how do I actually make it happen? Where do I find the right passages? How can I measure my child’s progress? What if my child needs more reading practice than I have time to be present for?” This is where One Minute Reader comes in!

One Minute Reader uses teacher modeling , repeated reading , and progress monitoring to help students develop their reading skills—and consequently, their confidence. It guides developing readers through scaffolded steps to grow their skills and provides dozens of high-interest, nonfiction passages that bridge the gap between learning to read and reading to learn.

While it’s important to make time to read with your child, correct mistakes, and offer feedback and encouragement, One Minute Reader can support you by providing opportunities for your child to read independently with high-interest passages, scaffolded steps, audio support, data, and more. This allows you to focus on offering the personal encouragement and support that only you, as a parent, can provide.

Let One Minute Reader help you help your child grow into a competent, confident reader.

The Power of Repeated Reading

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:28:52 GMT

Reading fluency is a crucial skill that bridges the gap between decoding words and understanding their meaning. One effective strategy to build fluency is repeated reading —a technique where a student reads the same text multiple times until they achieve a level of fluency that feels natural and confident.

What Is Repeated Reading?

Repeated reading involves selecting a short passage at an appropriate reading level—ideally at or slightly above the student's instructional level. The student reads this passage several times, focusing on improving speed, accuracy, and expression with each reading. This practice allows for mastery of the text, leading to fluent and confident reading. Fluent reading should sound like conversational speaking—natural and expressive.

Why Does It Work?

Research shows* that repeated reading can lead to significant improvements in reading performance. The benefits include:

Improved Word Recognition : By encountering the same words repeatedly, students become more familiar with them, leading to quicker and more accurate recognition. When these words become automatic, the students no longer need to put effort into decoding them.

Increased Reading Fluency : Reading the same passage multiple times allows students to build fluency--each time reading it more smoothly and with greater expression.

Enhanced Comprehension : As fluency improves, students can focus more on understanding the text, leading to better comprehension. This improvement in comprehension extends to unpracticed passages as well.
Increased Confidence : Repeated reading is a form of mastery learning. Many beginning or struggling readers don't often get the opportunity to hear themselves sounding like fluent readers. After reading a passage multiple times, they've mastered it--and they sound great! This is a huge confidence boost that motivates them to keep reading.

Repeated Reading at Home

Incorporating the repeated reading strategy into your child's home reading routine doesn't have to be complicated or boring. In fact, many kids already do it! You've probably noticed that they often want to read the same book over and over. Don't discourage this--as long as they haven't totally memorized the entire text, they're building skills each time they read it.

To work on repeated reading with your child at home, here's a simple strategy:

Use an Appropriate Passage : Have your child choose a new short text that is slightly challenging but still within their level.
Listen to Your Child Read : Have your child read the passage aloud to you. Note any words that are difficult for them to decode.
Read Aloud Together : Read the passage aloud with your child, modeling fluent reading. Do this one to three times. Identify the difficult words together, and provide definitions.
Independent Practice : Encourage your child to read the passage independently a few more times, focusing on improving their expression with each reading.
Celebrate Progress : Affirm how much your child improved from the first reading to the final reading. Acknowledge their hard work and progress to build confidence and motivation.

Additional Tips

Keep Sessions Short : Aim for 10- to 15-minute sessions at first, to maintain focus and prevent frustration.

Consider Using a Timer : If your child is open to the idea, set a timer each time they read the passage. Note their improvement in time, and celebrate their fluency growth. Make the timing element a fun challenge, but emphasize that this exercise isn't about speed reading—it's about building fluency.

Repeated reading is a powerful strategy that can significantly enhance your child's reading ability. If you're looking for an easy-to-use program that incorporates this research-proven strategy, check out One Minute Reader . This program uses repeated reading and gamified learning to help kids at various reading levels build fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.

* Dowhower, S. L. (1987). Effects of repeated reading on second-grade transitional readers’ fluency

and comprehension. Reading Research Quarterly , 22(4), 389–405.

Kuhn, M. R., & Stahl, S. A. (2003). Fluency: A review of developmental and remedial practices.

Journal of Educational Psychology , 95(1), 3–21.

LaBerge, D., & Samuels, S. J. (1974). Toward a theory of automatic information processing in

reading. Cognitive Psychology , 6(2), 292–323.

Back-to-School Reading Routines That Stick

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:38:52 GMT

For your kids, back-to-school season is all about new schedules, new teachers and friends, fall sports and activities, and, of course, more homework than the year before. With so much going on, it can be difficult to imagine adding anything else to the schedule. But back-to-school season is the perfect time to establish reading routines at home that set your child up for success this school year and beyond. Adding dedicated reading times to the daily schedule actually saves time in the end, because when your kids are stronger readers, they have an easier time with their work both in school and at home.

Help reading become a habit that sticks this year with these easy routines and tips:

1. Establish a Consistent Reading Schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to building reading habits. Choose a specific time each day dedicated to reading. Whether it's right after school, before dinner, or just before bedtime, having a set reading time helps your child know what to expect and builds a routine.

Tip : Start with short sessions, around 10–15 minutes, and gradually increase the duration as your child becomes more comfortable.

2. Create a Cozy Reading Space

Designate a quiet, comfortable space in your home where your child can read without distractions. A cozy reading nook with good lighting and a selection of books can make reading time more inviting and enjoyable.

Tip : Let your child help set up the space to make it feel personal and special.

3. Let Your Child Pick

Kids are much more invested in reading when they get to choose what to read. Oftentimes, they don't have much choice at school--so make sure they do at home. Allow your child to pick books that interest them. (And yes, graphic novels are just fine !)

Tip : Visit the library together and follow your child's lead. If they seem overwhelmed with all the options, have them chat with the librarian about their interests and go from there.

4. Incorporate Reading into Daily Activities

Reading doesn't have to be limited to books. Encourage your child to read signs, labels, recipes, or instructions during daily activities. This helps them see the practical applications of reading in everyday life.

Tip : Turn reading into a game by challenging your child to read as many signs or labels as they can during a drive.

5. Set Achievable Reading Goals

Setting small, achievable reading goals can motivate your child, make reading more fun, and foster pride in being a strong reader. Goals such as reading a certain number of pages each week or finishing a longer book by the end of the month are good ones to start with.

Tip : Celebrate milestones with a reward system, like a sticker chart or a special outing.

6. Celebrate Reading Successes

Acknowledge and celebrate your child's reading achievements, no matter how small. Positive feedback boosts confidence and encourages continued effort. Even reading 10 minutes a day at home is worth celebrating.

Tip : Share their successes with family members or display their completed books on a special shelf.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can help your child develop strong reading habits that last a lifetime.

If you're looking for more resources to support your child's reading journey, check out the One Minute Reader program. It's designed to help kids improve their reading skills through engaging, short sessions that fit easily into busy schedules.

Which “Educational” Apps Truly Promote Learning?

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:45:00 GMT

If you peruse the internet, you’ll find thousands of programs and apps that claim to be educational. But do they really promote learning? Or is the word “educational” just thrown in to make them more appealing to parents and teachers?

As you know, it depends. As parents, we need to be able to determine which applications are worth our children's precious time. A team of experts examined this question and published their findings in Psychological Science in the Public Interest. The findings, published here , present four pillars that lead to an educational outcome. These pillars are active involvement , engagement , meaningfulness , and social interaction .

Active involvement means the child is required to actually think. Too many apps are largely brainless, addicting games. A truly educational app requires the child to actively work to understand a worthwhile concept or skill. Giving children the ability to make decisions as they engage with the app is a key component. According to the research, "Well-designed software affords children an appropriate level of control and agency depending on their age and experience, allowing them to proceed at their own pace and sustain their interest."

Engagement refers to a child's ability to stay on task. The bells and whistles that make an app exciting should all be related to the educational goal. If these features are just for fun, they’ll distract the child from learning. Structured feedback and progress monitoring greatly assist with engagement. Researchers found that, "By carefully structuring the feedback as well as allowing progressive access to content (e.g., presenting more advanced content through a series of game levels or adaptively, based on user profiles), apps can focus children’s attention on the app experience and extend engagement for a long time."

Meaningfulness refers to how children are required to process new information. Studies have shown that deeper learning takes place when children relate new knowledge to their current knowledge. Educational apps promote these kinds of connections. As stated in the article, "Learning meaningful information motivates children to stay engaged and on task. If children are given causally rich information about a novel object, they will stay engaged in a boring task that rewards them with this information."

Finally, it’s important that the app facilitates social interaction . When children interact with others about what they’ve learned, their understanding of the material is reinforced. As the article states, "Active, engaged, meaningful, and socially interactive experiences support learning, and if these concepts are harnessed within apps, the potential benefit for learning in early childhood is significant."

One Minute Reader is educational in every sense of the word. For example, the One Minute Reader program requires kids to be actively involved with the material. As readers work through the steps, they’re required to think critically and work hard toward a learning goal. They decide which story to read and are able to progress at their own pace in an appropriate level of material. The structured steps of the program keep them actively involved in each task.

The program's high-interest content and motivating strategy keep kids engaged and on task. Built-in progress monitoring, consistent feedback, and the motivation to progress to more advanced content ensure that kids remain engaged as they work through the steps of the program.

One Minute Reader also promotes meaningful thinking. Kids make reading predictions and answer comprehension questions that require them to connect their personal experience to what they’re learning. High-interest, nonfiction stories ensure they are consistently learning novel and exciting information.

And finally, One Minute Reader fosters social interaction with parents and friends. Kids are inherently motivated by their own progress within the program. This motivation is enhanced when they celebrate their success with parents and friends. They are also often excited to share fun facts that they've learned from the stories.

We’re hopeful that the Psychological Science in the Public Interest findings will help parents make informed choices about app purchases, and we’re pleased with how well our program aligns with the research.

Why Nonfiction?

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:45:00 GMT

The easiest One Minute Reader stories to read are often the hardest ones to write. Many people are surprised to learn this. Isn’t it easier to write a quick level E story than it is to research and write a complex level 5 story?

Not at all. There are several reasons why. First, it’s much harder to be concise than it is to explore a topic with as many words as you want. But early readers need the sentences and stories in the lowest One Minute Reader levels to be quite short. Second, readability formulas are very limiting at these levels—one difficult word can upset the entire balance. And finally, perhaps most importantly, One Minute Reader stories are nonfiction. Taking nonfiction research, simplifying it, and turning it into an original, completely accurate, high-interest story—which, by the way, is only about a paragraph long—is really hard to do! So why do we insist on nonfiction stories?

We decided on high-interest nonfiction when we wrote our first stories over 30 years ago for our school-based program, Read Naturally, and we haven’t wavered since. This is because we want our stories to appeal to readers of all ages. One Minute Reader might see a third grader in level 1, or a fifth grader in level 2. These stories must be interesting enough to appeal to many readers and not appear too young or immature, regardless of the level of vocabulary in the story. Furthermore, the One Minute Reader Strategy requires teacher modeling and repeated reading with short passages. Teacher modeling and repeated reading are two of the most effective, research-based strategies for improving fluency. The ideal length of stories for modeling and repeated reading is 100–400 words, which is also a good length for nonfiction. Most good fictional stories require more than 100–400 words.

One Minute Reader stories present new information about unusual animals, people, inventions, etc. As kids do repeated readings, they build knowledge about all kinds of topics. It is motivating for kids to share the interesting information they've learned with their parents and peers. Nonfiction can also encourage kids who have not previously enjoyed reading to want to read more about a particular subject that interests them—so they not only enjoy learning to read but begin to enjoy reading to learn.

In this blog post , literacy expert Tim Shanahan elaborates on the value of nonfiction text for students of all ages. We especially like his mnemonic: Fabulous Libraries Can Give Satisfaction. According to Shanahan, informational text should teach…

1. Fact vs. Fiction

2. Locating Information

3. Comprehending Informational Text

4. Use/Interpretation of Graphical Elements

5. Synthesizing Information

One Minute Reader aligns well with Shanahan’s recommendations. Not only does this program feature nonfiction stories, but the strategy requires kids to comprehend and synthesize the information before moving on. Comprehension questions are present at every level, and kids must answer them correctly in order to solve the Joke Jumble at the end of each book. To learn more and see the program in action, start a 7-day free trial . The program is just $8/month after that.

Oh, and if you’re wondering how we feel about fiction-- We LOVE good works of fiction! Nothing makes us happier than classic literature and riveting novels. We’re also huge fans of the many beautiful children’s fiction books in today’s bookstores. (Need recommendations? We’re full of them!) Getting lost in a work of fiction is one of the best experiences a reader can have. One Minute Reader stories fulfill a specific purpose for developing and struggling readers. For that purpose, nonfiction is the story we’re sticking to. For other purposes, as long as students are engaged with the reading material, the sky’s the limit!

15 Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling With Reading

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 20:08:51 GMT

If your child was struggling with reading, their teacher would let you know, right? Not always. Sometimes even the best teachers will fail to notice a struggling reader. Often, an undetected struggling reader is a student who behaves well in class and seems to focus quietly during independent reading time. The student’s grades might be decent and their standardized test scores in reading, while not as high as you might hope, are not overly concerning yet. A lower test score could be explained away as a fluke or just a bad day. Especially in lower grades, a bright student can often compensate for reading struggles by guessing and using context clues. During independent reading time, they know how to make it look like they’re reading when they’re not. This is often the type of student who is struggling more than they let on, and whom a busy teacher may not notice.

Thankfully, as a parent, there are some key signs you can watch for. If you suspect your child might be struggling with reading, look for the following:

1. Avoiding Reading

Struggling readers would rather not spend their time reading. If your child seems uninterested in books or frequently has an excuse such as “I’m too tired” or “I don’t feel like it,” this could be a sign that reading is challenging for them. Also notice if they’re hesitant to read aloud.

2. Difficulty With Phonics and Pronunciation

If you notice that your child frequently mispronounces words when reading age-appropriate material aloud, they might be behind in phonics. Next time you notice them mispronouncing a word, ask them to sound it out for you. If they struggle to decode (sound out) the word, they may have gaps in their phonics knowledge that make reading difficult.

3. Substituting Words

When a child has trouble decoding words, they’ll sometimes replace them with different words that look or sound similar. Notice if they tend to replace a harder-to-decode words, like “house,” with easier synonyms, like “home.”

4. Skipping Words

Similarly, pay attention to whether your child tends to quickly skip past hard-to-pronounce words, hoping you won’t notice. Especially as texts become more challenging with a higher number of multisyllabic words, struggling readers often won’t attempt these difficult words.

5. Frequent Guessing

Does your child frequently guess at words without trying to sound them out? Rather than using their skills to decode, many struggling readers rely on context to guess. Some kids become so good at guessing that their reading difficulties go undetected for years.

6. Reading Slowly

When a fluent reader reads aloud, they sound like they do when they’re speaking. Struggling readers tend to read slowly, haltingly, and lack expression. They also take longer than their peers to get through texts when reading silently.

7. Trouble With Comprehension

When your child finishes reading a passage of text, are they able to explain to you what the text was about? If the answer is no, comprehension could be an issue. Often, struggling readers are working so hard to decode the text that they don’t have the capacity to comprehend it at the same time. They may need to read the same text over and over again before they’re able to understand it.

8. Spelling Mistakes

Spelling and phonics go hand in hand. If your child struggles to spell most words—especially straightforward, phonetically easy words—it is often a sign that they do not have an adequate grasp on phonics patterns and rules.

9. Writing Struggles

Reading and writing are also closely connected. If your child struggles with reading, chances are they won’t be eager to write. Notice if they struggle to put their thoughts into words on paper, if they tend to write the bare minimum on assignments, and if their writing is full of spelling mistakes.

10. Mixing Up Letters

Many kids will confuse visually similar letters, like b and d, as they are first learning to read. If you notice that your child struggles with this year after year, however, it could be a sign of dyslexia or other reading challenges.

11. Difficulty With Written Instructions

Consider a child who aces all the problems on their math worksheet except for the word problems. Reading difficulties make it hard for kids to understand the instructions on their assignments. Watch for this as you help with homework. If your child needs you to explain the assignment or to read the problem to them, it might be because they’re struggling to read it on their own.

12. Physical Signs of Stress

Some kids who struggle with reading will show physical signs of discomfort. They may squint, rub their eyes, fidget, or seem tense. This could be related to tracking or vision problems, which make reading difficult. It could also indicate frustration with the task of reading itself.

13. Inconsistency

Notice if your child can read certain texts at their level but not others. Often, kids will sound fluent reading books they’ve read many times before, or they’ll be able to easily read text that is supported by pictures and repetition. But they need to be able to read unfamiliar, unpracticed text too. Proficient readers should be able to consistently read text at their level that they’ve never seen before.

14. Lack of Progress

Keep tabs on whether your child’s reading skills are improving over time. If they seem stuck at the same level for a long period, they may need additional help. Concepts and vocabulary become increasingly difficult from grade to grade. Steady progress in reading is important, and intervention when they seem to have plateaued can keep your child from falling behind.

15. Difficulty With Foreign Languages

Learning a foreign language is difficult for most people, but struggling readers will have an especially hard time. Languages like Spanish, for example, are highly phonetic. Kids who have a good grasp of phonics will often be able to decode words in these languages even before they’ve learned the meanings of the words. Kids who lack phonics skills will not be able to do this. Without the ability to rely on context clues, decoding words in foreign languages will be extremely difficult.

Note that many struggling readers will have some of these signs but not all of them. If you suspect your child might be struggling with reading, pay attention to your instincts. Inquire about extra support at school, and work with them at home if possible. For kids reading at a first through fifth-grade level, One Minute Reader is a great tool for building fluency. If you’re concerned dyslexia might be the culprit, the International Dyslexia Association is a helpful resource that includes a free screener .

One Minute Reader Printables

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:48:30 GMT

At One Minute Reader, we’re passionate about providing tools that enhance your child’s learning experience. Today, we’re excited to release several resources that can be used alongside One Minute Reader. These printable tools aim to make the reading process more interactive, motivating, and progress-oriented for your developing reader. We think your child will love these new resources, which include story trackers, difficult word lists, graphs, and more!

Weekly Story Tracker

Generally, children who read more make more progress in reading. We recommend that students working in One Minute Reader complete at least two stories per week. This tracker can help motivate your child to pass more stories and will also help you analyze the progress that they make.

How to use:

This document is an Interactive PDF. If you would like to fill in the “Week” column on your computer before printing, you may. Otherwise, you can fill it in by hand after printing or instruct your child to fill it out as they go.

Have your child color in or check a box in the appropriate row for the corresponding week. At the end of the week, they count the number of colored or checked boxes and record their total number of stories passed on the line to the right. You may want to offer stickers for weeks in which they complete a target number of stories. In many cases, three stories passed would work well as a target, but realistic story completion goals will vary.

Difficult Word List

It may be helpful for your child to record words they struggled with so that they may review them later.

How to use:

In the first column, readers should write the difficult word. You may also instruct your child to draw a picture. In the columns for Definition and Sentence, you may either encourage your child to record the definitions and sample sentences provided within the program or require that they come up with their own.

Blank Graphs

Self-tracking is a fun and motivating way for students to be able to view and monitor their progress. This is a great resource for children who respond well to tactile activities because they get to physically graph their progress on each story. Of course, One Minute Reader automatically generates student graphs, but some children respond particularly well to having the opportunity to graph their scores manually. Many children like having control over their graphs both because they like to mark their own progress on each story and because they can refer to the graph whenever they want and see their progress over several stories.

How to use:

Print the graph that corresponds to your child’s reading level (as determined by the placement process incorporated within One Minute Reader). If your child is working in multiple levels, they should keep separate graphs for each level. You can instruct your child to graph both their cold and hot timing scores within the same column by using different colors, or they can just graph their hot timing scores. When they complete a story they may fill in the timer symbol with their hot timing score, a star, or a sticker.

Story Title Scrambles

How to use:

As a reward for completing a book or level in One Minute Reader, your child can unscramble the titles of the stories they just completed. They may also rate the stories according to their enjoyment or how much they learned.

Student Surveys

Our student surveys provide a great opportunity for children to self-evaluate and reflect on their progress. By completing the surveys, readers may feel a greater sense of responsibility for their learning journey. The activity will also generate useful feedback for you to review.

How to use:

Have your child complete the surveys at whichever milestones make sense to you (e.g., after they complete a level, once a month, etc.). Before your child completes a new survey, consider prompting them to review their previous responses (if applicable).

We have a blank survey option that is an interactive PDF. You can fill in your own prompts by typing in the left-column boxes.

Story Title Labels

How to use:

After the One Minute Reader placement process, print out the appropriate labels on 1" x 2-5/8" address labels (such as Avery 5160 Easy Peel Address Labels ). Allow your child to keep an appropriate label sheet in a folder designated for their One Minute Reader work. When they complete a story, they may place the label with the corresponding story title either on a sticker sheet (cardstock/construction paper) or on the cover of their folder. As an additional motivator, consider offering additional stickers for particular achievements (e.g., zero errors on the Quiz, completing all five stories in a book, completing at least three stories in a week, etc.).

Stickers

"It is a truth universally acknowledged..." that children love stickers.

How to use:

Print the stickers on 3/4" blank, round labels (such as Avery 94504 Easy Peel Circle Labels ). Award stickers for getting 100% on the first attempt at the quiz, completing all five stories in a book, completing at least three stories in a week, or other accomplishments of your choosing. The stickers work nicely with our story labels, which children may place either on a sticker sheet (cardstock/construction paper) or on the cover of their folder.

Steps Summary

Our Steps Summary document provides a useful breakdown of the steps of the One Minute Reader program. It can help introduce your child to the program, or they can refer to it while working if they have difficulty remembering the sequence of steps.

We believe that learning should be an exciting and rewarding journey, especially when it comes to developing critical skills like reading. With the resources we've outlined in this blog, we hope to add another layer of interaction, accountability, and fun to the One Minute Reader experience. These tools are designed to foster a greater sense of achievement and self-awareness in your child, allowing them to track their progress, take responsibility for their learning, and celebrate their successes along the way.

Family Literacy Activities

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Thu, 22 May 2025 21:30:00 GMT

Did you know that children who engage in literacy activities with their families tend to perform better on standardized tests? Research indicates that children with parents who participate in family literacy activities score about 10 points higher on standardized reading tests compared to those whose parents do not engage in such activities ( National Literacy Directory ). This family involvement creates a supportive environment that fosters a love for learning and builds crucial skills that children carry with them into the classroom.

So, how can you as a parent integrate literacy activities into your family routine? Here are some engaging and creative ideas to help you get started.

1. Storytime Rituals: Make storytime a cherished part of your daily routine. Whether it's a bedtime story or a morning read-aloud session, setting aside dedicated time for reading can make a big difference. Choose a variety of books to keep it exciting—mix in classic tales, adventure stories, and even nonfiction to expand your child's horizons.

2. Book Club: Start a family book club where everyone reads the same book and then gathers to discuss it. This not only encourages reading but also develops critical thinking and communication skills. You can choose books that cater to different age groups and have themed discussions, complete with snacks and fun activities related to the book.

3. The Sentence Game: Turn storytelling into an interactive activity. Create your own stories as a family, with each member taking turns to add a sentence. This can be a hilarious and creative way to spend time together, and it also encourages imagination and narrative skills.

4. Literacy Games: Incorporate literacy into playtime with fun games. Scrabble, Boggle, and word searches are great for building vocabulary and spelling skills. You can also create your own literacy-based games, like a scavenger hunt where children have to find items that start with a specific letter.

5. Blogging: Encourage your child to write regularly by starting a family journal or blog. Each member can contribute entries about their day, stories, or even creative pieces like poems and short stories. This practice not only enhances writing skills but also serves as a wonderful keepsake of family memories.

6. Library Visits: Make regular trips to the library a part of your routine. Libraries offer a treasure trove of resources, from books and audiobooks to interactive storytimes and educational programs. Let your child explore different genres and choose books that interest them to foster a love for reading.

7. Educational Apps and Programs: In today’s digital age, there are numerous apps and programs designed to boost literacy skills. Programs like One Minute Reader can be seamlessly integrated into your daily schedule, providing engaging reading activities that build fluency and comprehension in short, manageable sessions. Ask your child to share what they learned with the whole family.

8. Meal Preparation: Involve your child in writing grocery lists based on meal plans, reading recipes aloud, gathering ingredients, and following cooking steps. At the store, they can read the list and check off items, making shopping an educational scavenger hunt.

9. Pen Pal Program: Encourage your child to write letters to relatives or friends, acting as pen pals. This can improve their writing skills and build a deeper connection with family members. Receiving letters in return can also be a delightful experience that motivates them to keep writing.

Incorporating literacy activities into your family’s daily life doesn’t have to be daunting. With a little creativity and commitment, you can create a nurturing environment that promotes learning and academic success. By making literacy a fun and integral part of your routine, you're not only helping your child excel in school but also fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning. So, grab a book, gather the family, and embark on this enriching journey together!

Resources to Avoid the Summer Slide

Thu, 22 May 2025 18:49:09 GMT

We're approaching the end of another school year. Students have been working hard to accelerate their progress in reading, and avoiding the summer slide is more important than ever.

There are many things your children can do at home this summer to not only maintain their current reading level, but to boost it. Read Naturally (the parent company of One Minute Reader) offers several solutions that are well-suited for at-home use.

One Minute Reader is an award-winning system that uses the Read Naturally Strategy and is backed by the Science of Reading. You can try this program free for one week and then purchase it for $8/month—only $24 for a full summer of reading! The stories are interesting, the strategy is motivating, and students make significant progress. Here is a flyer with more information about One Minute Reader and the Summer Slide.

This article on the five components of reading can help you understand the specific skills that your children need to become proficient readers.

You can download our fun Splat-O-Nym iPad app for $4.99, which allows kids to independently play a vocabulary word game that includes over 8,000 questions teaching synonyms, antonyms, and words in context.

Download our Free Summer Literacy Activities , including summer word games, BINGO, color-your-own bookmarks, mad libs, and more. These resources will make a great packet for your children to work on over summer break—or anytime!

We are aware of the serious challenges facing students, parents, and educators today. However, by utilizing these resources, we believe your children can do more than just prevent a summer slide in the coming months. We believe they can make significant progress toward their goals.

Test Scores Are at Record Lows. We Can Help.

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:38:41 GMT

Results from the latest NAEP assessments are dire. Fewer than a third of the fourth and eighth graders tested nationwide are considered proficient in reading. Both groups experienced a two-point drop in average reading scores compared to 2022, continuing a downward trend that predates the pandemic. Notably, one-third of eighth graders scored below the NAEP Basic level, marking the highest percentage of underperformance in the assessment's history.

Proficiency in reading creates opportunities and is highly correlated with future success for students in academia, in their careers, and in general daily life. The written word is everywhere, and all students deserve the opportunities that come with being a skilled reader.

The fact that most of our students are not proficient in reading is a crisis we need to address immediately. Ideally, your kids' school is doing everything it can to support struggling readers. But many students still need extra support at home. One Minute Reader is here to help.

One Minute Reader gets kids reading at grade level—quickly. It uses research-proven methods to build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Kids experience immediate success, boosting their confidence as they see measurable progress in just minutes every time they use the program. One Minute Reader is easy to use, and kids work completely independently. High-interest, nonfiction content across six reading levels keeps kids of all ages engaged, and a gamified system makes even the most reluctant readers eager to use the program.

If you are not familiar with One Minute Reader , now is the time to check it out. After the free trial, it's only $8/month for unlimited use. If you already use One Minute Reader, please spread the word about this program to other parents. We are as dedicated to solving the literacy crisis as you are—let’s work together to turn things around.

Understanding Oral Reading Fluency

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:44:18 GMT

As parents, we all want to ensure our children become proficient readers. One of the key elements in achieving this goal is developing reading fluency. But what exactly is fluency, and why is it so important?

What Is Oral Reading Fluency?

Fluency is the ability to read "like you speak." It involves three key elements:

Accurate reading of connected text
Reading at a conversational rate
Appropriate expression and prosody

When children are fluent readers, they can read smoothly and effortlessly, making few mistakes, maintaining a good pace, and using proper expression. However, non-fluent readers may struggle in one or more of these areas, making frequent errors, reading slowly, or lacking proper phrasing and expression.

Why Is Oral Reading Fluency Important?

Fluency is crucial because it directly impacts reading comprehension. Research indicates that students who read fluently are better able to understand what they read. This is because fluent readers can focus their mental energy on comprehending the text rather than decoding words. According to Dr. S. Jay Samuels' automaticity theory, once students master the basic skills of reading and can decode words automatically, they have more mental capacity to understand and engage with the text.

How Can I Help My Child Develop Their Oral Reading Fluency?

Simply offering a selection of reading material and encouraging children to read is not enough for effective oral reading fluency development. Rather, they need structured support and targeted practice within a framework where they feel motivated and engaged.

Research supports several effective strategies to improve oral reading fluency, including:

Teacher Modeling : Students benefit from listening to proficient readers, whether it’s a parent, a teacher, a peer, or an audio recording. This helps them learn proper pronunciation, phrasing, and expression.
Repeated Reading : Reading the same text multiple times helps students improve their reading rate and accuracy.
Progress Monitoring : Setting specific reading goals and tracking progress motivates students to practice and helps them take accountability for their own learning.

You might think, that's all well and good, but where am I supposed to find the time or resources to do that for my child? Enter One Minute Reader . As it turns out, you don't need to find time or resources... you just need this one tool.

One Minute Reader: An At-Home Solution

One Minute Reader is a highly effective, research-based program designed to help children develop oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension independently . This program offers structured reading practice through high-interest, level-appropriate stories that children can work on at their own pace. It offers:

Teacher Modeling: Through audio recordings
Repeated Reading: Through the read along and practice steps
Progress Monitoring: Through graphs and reports
and SO MUCH MORE!

By using One Minute Reader at home, you can support your child's journey to becoming a fluent reader—setting them up for success in all their academic endeavors. Happy reading!

How to Help Your Child Develop Comprehension Skills

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:45:36 GMT

Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. As literate adults ourselves, we know it's not enough to simply read the words on the page—we have to truly understand and engage with the text. Helping your child develop strong comprehension skills will set them up for success in school and beyond. Here are some strategies you can use at home to support your child’s reading comprehension development:

Embrace Storytelling: When reading aloud, bring the text to life by changing your voice for different characters or ideas, using appropriate expressions, and varying your phrasing to match the content. For example, give emphasis to important points with a firm tone, or use a questioning tone when asking something. Use gestures to demonstrate actions or concepts in the text. These techniques not only make the content more engaging but also guide your child through the text with extra support, making it easier for them to understand.

Model Metacognition: Show your child how to think about their thinking by verbalizing your thought process while reading. The think-aloud strategy involves pausing while reading to express out loud what you're thinking. This can include making predictions, asking questions, visualizing, or summarizing parts of the text. This helps children understand how to approach reading comprehension by seeing the thought process in action. Watch this video for an example of how to do this.

Initiate Conversation: Engage your child in discussions about what they have read. Ask them to summarize the text and share their opinions. If you're reading together, use book-club style questions to deepen the discussion. These conversations help reinforce comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Review Different Question Types: To help your child develop a deeper understanding of what they read, it’s important to teach them how to approach different types of questions. Each question type requires a different skill and strategy to answer effectively. You can find questions online, use AI to generate questions, or create your own using basic formats.

Main Idea : Explain that the main idea is what the text is mostly about, not just a fact. Ask, “Is this what the whole text is mostly about, or just one fact?” Practice by having your child summarize the story or present several summary statements and have your child choose the one that best captures the main idea.

Literal : Explain that literal questions have answers right there in the text . Teach your child to underline the exact sentence that contains the answer. Practice by asking your child questions that require them to find specific details directly from the text.

Vocabulary : Use context clues by looking at the sentences before, during, and after the word. Ask, “What do these surrounding sentences tell us about this word?” Practice by selecting challenging words from the text and asking your child to infer their meanings based on the context.

Inference : Explain that inferences are logical guesses based on clues in the text. Encourage your child to look for hints or clues the author left behind to draw conclusions. Practice by posing questions that require your child to read between the lines and make educated guesses based on the information provided.

Short Answer: Teach your child to restate the question in the answer. Identify key words from the question and incorporate them into the answer. Practice by asking open-ended questions that prompt your child to provide more detailed responses and explanations.

Use Graphic Organizers: Use tools like flowcharts, story maps, Venn diagrams, and K-W-L charts (Know, Want to Know, Learned) to help your child organize their thoughts and understand the structure of the text. Graphic organizers visually display information to help children see relationships between ideas and concepts.

Find Everyday Opportunities: Find opportunities for your child to practice reading comprehension in everyday situations. Let your child read recipes and help you prepare a meal, which involves following instructions and understanding measurements. Have your child read the weather report and find the high for the day. Ask your child to read the instructions for a new game and explain the rules to everyone.

Subscribe to One Minute Reader: The One Minute Reader program supports reading comprehension and allows children to develop skills independently through a structured approach that combines short reading activities with immediate feedback.

By incorporating these strategies and tips into your reading routine, you can help your child become a more confident and skilled reader.

Yes, Graphic Novels Are Just Fine!

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:29:56 GMT

If there’s one book series my second grader is crazy about, it’s Dog Man . You might know a kid or two who shares this obsession. The books are graphic novels in which bathroom humor, slime fights, and a time-traveling hot dog stand feature prominently.

How do I feel about my son’s literature choices? Initially, I’ll admit, I struggled. There are plenty of books at his level that don’t dedicate multiple pages to the topic of dog poop. And my son has finally reached the point of being able to read chapter books. Wouldn’t it be more worthwhile for him to challenge himself with those?

Thankfully, I didn’t struggle with this for too long. When I started paying attention, I noticed a few things. First, the Dog Man books make my son laugh out loud. This is a clear sign that not only is he enjoying himself, but he’s comprehending the text. Second, he frequently brings me the books and asks what certain words mean. They’re usually sophisticated, difficult-to-decode words. For example, a robotic cat villain describes himself as “deplorable, contemptible, ignominious, despicable, loathsome, and detestable.” In just one sentence of text, my son attempted several new vocabulary words and deepened his understanding of synonyms. He was motivated to learn all those words because he wanted to fully understand the plot. Finally, and most importantly, the Dog Man books keep my son reading. He stays engaged for long stretches of time, building his reading stamina. Every time he picks up one of these books, he integrates the idea that reading is interesting and enjoyable, and he wants to keep doing it.

How do graphic novels full of weird pictures and potty talk manage to do all of those things? The Dog Man books themselves actually are entertaining, but the biggest contributor here is the fact that my son chooses to read them. Good readers read with the expectation that they will learn or enjoy something. When kids have opportunities to choose what they want to read (as opposed to being told what to read), they’re invested in the process from the beginning. They tend to use their time wisely, and they learn more quickly how rewarding reading can be. It doesn’t really matter which books help them learn this. The important thing is that they learn it.

Now, are graphic novels alone going to teach kids how to read? Probably not. High-quality reading instruction teaches kids how to read. Books like Dog Man —or whichever books they can’t get enough of—teach them why to read.

Reading enjoyment and effective instruction are not mutually exclusive, however. Ideally, a reading program will incorporate the power of self-selection and high-interest material to keep kids engaged and motivated. One Minute Reader is a program that uses research-based strategies to teach fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Kids develop these skills by reading interesting nonfiction stories at their level. The first step in the process is that they get to choose which story to read. Parents often report that even the most reluctant readers become captivated learners when using One Minute Reader. Self-selected, interesting stories are among the main reasons why.

So, if kids are getting high-quality reading instruction and want to read graphic novels on their own, that’s just fine. The important thing is that they’re reading, comprehending, and enjoying. Often, these books serve as a bridge to more advanced reading material anyway. After my son had read each of the Dog Man books cover to cover about 10 times, he picked up another book by the same author—this time, a chapter book. The book is Captain Underpants , and the plot is about evil talking toilets trying to take over the world. I wonder what’s next.

The Magic of Reading Aloud

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:45:00 GMT

My local bookstore has an incredibly popular story time. I kept hearing about it, from adults and children alike, so I recently went to check it out. I was blown away. How could the same story captivate the attention of everyone in the room—from the oldest grandparent to the youngest toddler? Reading levels in the crowd ranged from not yet reading to highly fluent, yet everyone was focused and entertained.

The two most important factors in a successful read-aloud are a great book selection and a great delivery . When these two factors are present, it feels like magic. The room becomes still. All eyes are on the reader. The crowd collectively furrows at the worrisome parts of the story and roars with laughter at the funny parts. When good stories are read aloud, they can instantly lift up, teach, and unite diverse groups of people. Few things in life are so simple, yet so powerful.

If you’re looking to boost the literacy skills of your children—and inspire family bonding at the same time —make a habit of reading a story, poem, or chapter aloud on a daily basis. In your f amily , you may have developing readers o f a variety of ages, interests, and reading levels . Independent reading time is important for ensuring each child's reading needs are met, but reading aloud as a family is an enjoyable and important way to bring everyone together. Everyone benefits, and it can be a relaxing part of the day for you too.

For tips on how to make your read-aloud time effective and engaging, check out this informative and creative handout from literacyworldwide.org . Readaloud.org is a wonderful site with great book suggestions to keep your children engaged.

Reading aloud is clearly beneficial as a group activity, and it also works wonders on an individual basis. Teacher modeling is a research-proven, highly effective way to develop literacy skills. Because many parents don’t have the time to sit with their children individually for long stretches of time, One Minute Reader incorporates expressive audio recordings of stories by professional voice talents. This way, developing readers are able to work independently, at their own level, and still reap the benefits of being read to.

Giving Real Thanks—And Boosting Literacy at the Same Time!

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Children around the country will be asked the same question several times this month: What are you thankful for? While some children will take the time to pause and give a thoughtful answer, many will just answer the question quickly (“I’m thankful for my family and friends”) without taking the time to consider the meaning of what they’re saying. In fact, many adults will do the same thing.

Encourage your kids to think about gratitude in a different way this year. True gratitude is not expressed by simply saying what we’re thankful for. True gratitude comes with action. It is the feeling of being thankful, plus the action of reaching out and finding a way to thank the source of that feeling. This a good practice to foster in your kids, and there are ways to make it a literacy-boosting activity. Win, win!

If you’d like to give this a try with your kids, help your kids write down what they’re thankful for. Then, have them take action in the coming weeks with a related reading or writing activity. For example, if a child says he is thankful for his parents, have him write them a note expressing this gratitude. If a child says she is thankful for the earth, point her toward some reading material that celebrates the earth. Have her channel her thanks into a deeper understanding of some of the issues our planet faces.

Here are a few more examples:

“I’m thankful for food.” = Who prepared that food for you? Write that person a note to tell them why you’re thankful for it.

“I’m thankful for my pet.” = Pets love to hear their owners’ voices. Pick a favorite book and read it aloud to your pet as a way of letting him know you appreciate him.

“I’m thankful for recess.” = Who do you play with at recess? Write that person a note. OR: Why does it feel good to play outside? Read an outdoor magazine or nature book and make a list of outdoor activities you enjoy.

“I’m thankful for my computer.” = Technology helps us learn amazing things in exciting new ways. Use your favorite reading tool or reading game, such as One Minute Reader , and then write down how the computer made learning more enjoyable for you.

Encouraging your kids to not just say thank you, but to also act on that feeling, will help them think more deeply about real gratitude.

We at One Minute Reader are thankful for YOU for all that you do to help your kids. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

12 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude With Your Kids

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:45:00 GMT

We've arrived at the season of giving thanks--but shouldn't that be every season? Research shows that grateful people are happier and healthier. Here are 12 easy ways to cultivate gratitude with your kids all year long. Click on the links to download free printables!

Keep a stack of these Gratitude Cards in a central area of your house. Anytime your child has someone to thank, encourage them to fill out a card!
Play Gratitude BINGO. Download these printable BINGO Cards and instructions for playing . The BINGO Cards are an interactive PDF, so you can type on them before printing if you wish.
Keep a family Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, ask your kids what they were thankful for that day. Write their thoughts in the journal. Encourage your kids to think of things specific to the day, and ask them to try not to repeat things from previous days. This practice will help them notice that there are new things to be thankful for each day.
Download this Gratitude Scavenger Hunt and have kids complete this activity with friends, classmates, or neighbors. Design your own scavenger hunt using this interactive PDF with different items, so you can play as much as you’d like.
Decorate your home with a Gratitude Tree. Create the tree by drawing branches on a poster board or by standing real twigs in a pot or vase. Have kids write their gratitudes on the Gratitude Leaf Cards and add them to the tree. Hopefully you'll be adding branches all year long as your kids think of more and more reasons to give thanks.
Take a Gratitude Walk. Walk outdoors with your kids, and have them carry a notebook and pen. Ask them to be quiet during the walk. Have them notice and write down what feels good and what they appreciate about being outdoors. After the walk, ask them to elaborate, either verbally or in writing, on what they wrote down.
The books on this Gratitude Book List are all about giving thanks. Whether you're looking for picture books to read aloud to younger kids or chapter books that inspire reflection in your older kids, this list has dozens of fantastic titles.
Sometimes the simplest questions can lead to the most profound answers. Use these Gratitude Conversation Starters to prompt thoughtful discussions in your family.
Do a daily Gratitude Meditation. Have kids close their eyes and think about the word “thankful” for a quiet minute each day. When they open their eyes, have them write down, tell you, or simply reflect for a moment on the things that came to mind.
Have kids write what they’re thankful for on little slips of paper. Have them put the papers in a jar or add them to a bulletin board.
Be a role model. Offer your own reflections whenever you feel thankful for something.
Take pictures of the things your kids are grateful for. Print the pictures to make a Gratitude Collage to display in your home.

P.S. We are thankful for YOU! Thank you for all you do to help your kids become better readers. Please connect with us if One Minute Reader can support you in any way.

Introducing Your Child to the One Minute Reader Program

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 21:30:00 GMT

Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to endless possibilities for children. As parents, we constantly seek ways to nurture our children’s reading abilities, making the process both enjoyable and educational. The One Minute Reader program is a fantastic tool designed to foster independent reading skills in children. Here are some tips to help you introduce this program to your child seamlessly and effectively.

Start with an Overview: Before diving into the program, take some time to watch the “How Does One Minute Reader Work” video together with your child. This video provides a comprehensive overview of the program and helps your child understand what to expect.

Set Up a Reading Routine: Establishing a consistent reading schedule is often a game changer. Choose a specific time each day dedicated to using the One Minute Reader program. Whether it’s right after school or before bedtime, consistency helps in building a habit.

Create a Comfortable Reading Space: Designate a cozy and quiet reading nook where your child can focus without distractions. A comfortable chair, good lighting, or maybe a white noise machine can make this space inviting.

Work Through the First Story Together: Help your child get started by working through the first story together. This hands-on guidance will help them feel comfortable with the steps involved and build their confidence to continue on their own.

Start with a Positive Attitude: Your enthusiasm for the program can be contagious. Present the One Minute Reader program as a fun and exciting activity rather than a chore. Celebrate this new journey with your child, emphasizing the enjoyment and adventure in reading.

Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for your child. Start with shorter reading sessions and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable. Celebrate small milestones to keep them motivated.

Track Progress Together: Use the program’s tracking features to monitor your child’s progress. Discuss the improvements you both notice, and set new challenges together. This shared involvement can boost your child’s confidence and motivation.

Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate your child’s reading achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s a special treat or a simple acknowledgment, recognizing their efforts reinforces positive behavior and encourages continued progress.

Introducing your child to the One Minute Reader program can be a rewarding experience that sets the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. By creating a supportive and engaging environment, you can help your child develop essential reading skills while fostering their independence and confidence.

Building Reading Stamina: A Guide for Parents

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 21:30:00 GMT

Reading stamina is crucial for children’s academic success, allowing them to focus and comprehend longer texts without losing interest or getting tired. As parents, you can help your child develop this skill! Here are some effective strategies to foster and enhance your child's reading stamina:

Set a Routine: Establishing a consistent reading routine helps your child anticipate and look forward to reading time. Set aside specific times each day for reading, incorporating two sessions: one for reading together and one for independent reading. Consistency is key in building habits, so select a specific time each day for reading, such as right after school or before bed. Start with shorter reading sessions, around 10-15 minutes, and gradually increase the duration as your child's stamina improves. During independent reading time, use tools like the One Minute Reader program for structure and support, helping your child build confidence and stamina in reading alone.

Take Turns Reading Aloud: Reading aloud together can be a fun and interactive way to build reading stamina while spending quality family time. This practice is excellent for modeling fluent reading and allows your child to hear and see how you read. Begin with you reading a whole chapter and your child reading just the first sentence or paragraph, then gradually increase their responsibility by having them read one out of every three paragraphs, and then switching off each page. This method allows your child to build stamina in manageable steps, making the transition to longer independent reading sessions smoother.

Provide a Variety of Reading Material: Having a variety of reading materials keeps your child engaged and motivated to read more. Allow your child to choose material that interests them, giving them a sense of responsibility and keeping them engaged. When children are interested in what they are reading, they are more likely to read for longer periods. Encourage them to switch between different genres or types of materials, such as chapter books, comics, or informative articles. This variety can make reading more exciting and less monotonous, helping to build reading stamina.

Create a Comfortable Environment: A comfortable reading space can make a significant difference in encouraging your child to read for longer periods. Create a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit reading area by minimizing distractions like TV and other electronic devices. A cozy nook with pillows, good lighting, and a selection of books within reach can create a welcoming atmosphere. Including healthy snacks during reading time can also help keep your child's energy up, making it easier for them to focus and read for longer periods without getting hungry or tired.

Set Goals and Track Progress: Setting measurable goals and tracking progress can motivate your child and give them a sense of accomplishment. Set specific, achievable reading goals related to the number of books read, the amount of time spent reading, or the number of pages completed. Involve your child in tracking their progress using a reading log or chart to keep track of the books they’ve read and the time spent reading. Celebrating milestones with rewards, like extra playtime or a special treat, can motivate your child to reach their goals. By involving your child in setting and tracking goals, you give them a sense of accountability and responsibility for their progress, increasing their motivation to build reading stamina.

Developing reading stamina takes time, but with these strategies, your child will become a more confident and capable reader.

Students' Accuracy Improves With Slower Rates of Modeled Reading

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:30:00 GMT

If you've ever listened in as your child worked through the read along step in One Minute Reader , you may have noticed that the narrator reader the stories at a relatively slow pace. Some parents might wonder if the speed is too slow, especially when fluency is the goal. Should the stories be modeled at a pace similar to normal conversation?

Not exactly. Extensive research into modeled reading rates for developing readers has shown that slower rates result in improved accuracy for students. The Read Along step is where children truly learn the words of the story. The slower pace allows them to connect the way a word looks with the way it sounds—a crucial aspect of becoming fluent. If children can’t keep up with the modeled pace, they miss out on this important opportunity to develop word recognition.

With this in mind, One Minute Reader stories are recorded at a rate close to the 50th percentile according to national oral reading fluency norms at the given level. It is recommended that most students read along with the recording three times during the Read Along step, but you can adjust that number in the profile settings if your child is ready to go down to just one or two.

After learning to accurately read the words in the story, children continue to build fluency by reading the story several times during the Read Alone step. Because they learned the words during the Read Along step, they can work on reading fluently—or "reading like they speak"—during the Read Alone step and increase their speed. This combination of modeling and repeated reading, along with the motivation of progress monitoring, helps turn struggling readers into fluent readers.

One Minute Reader Is Making a Difference in Kenya

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:14:13 GMT

Hundreds of One Minute Reader books recently made their way across the world to Kenya, Africa, where kids are using them to learn to read in English. When the team at Read Naturally (the parent company of One Minute Reader) learned about the work of Joanne Friday, a former teacher who now does mission work with orphans in Kenya, we offered her a large donation of One Minute Reader books (30 boxes of materials in all) to bring to the kids there. Joanne recently brought several suitcases of the books to Kenya, and kids are already hard at work and loving the stories. Joanne and her colleagues will bring the rest of the books in batches on future trips, including several more suitcases in July.

Why did we have so many One Minute Reader books to donate? Most students now get One Minute Reader content digitally, but before this popular program became an iPad app and a component of our Read Live suite, it was a series of books and CDs. These original One Minute Reader materials are still a great way to build reading fluency and comprehension, especially for kids who don't have access to technology.

We recently asked Joanne Friday some questions about her work with the kids in Kenya and the impact of the One Minute Reader books. Here's what she had to say:

OMR: Can you describe the work you do with kids in Kenya?

JF: Our organization supplies all needs for orphans in Kenya including food, shelter, clothing, education and fun. My primary responsibility is helping the teachers improve their craft and infuse best teaching practices.

OMR: How did you connect with Read Naturally to request curriculum to use there?

JF: My day job is a Director of Special Ed at a private school. We have used Read Naturally materials for years in a small group intervention as well as one-on-one. We use them to increase fluency and comprehension. In Kenya they will be used for the same purpose: to increase fluency and comprehension, as well as just put books in the children’s hands. With access to so many books with the same title, teachers can devise any lessons for children, and the children won't have to share books! Having books at different levels also allows teachers to differentiate within a classroom and make connections with all the children.

OMR: How are the teachers/students in Kenya using the One Minute Reader books?

JF: These books have been a great addition to our reading series. Our students use the books to sharpen their reading skills and improve their language. They constantly practice with the books to see their improvement in just one minute. Teachers are also using the books to guide the learners to embrace the reading culture and improve language. We also really appreciate that these books are so user-friendly.

OMR: What impact are the One Minute Reader books having?

JF: Most importantly, the books are helping to improve language amongst our students. Their love for reading will grow and this will build a formidable culture of reading amongst our students. The books have interesting stories and most of them have titles that our students have been excited to interact with. This makes reading them fun. We're sure the speed of reading that will be exhibited by our learners in the near future will be unmatched.

OMR: What are the teachers'/students' reactions to the program and the stories?

JF: The teachers and students are so excited about this program. They are all so overjoyed about these books. They tell me the stories are so interesting, easy to read, and have so many captivating titles. So far the kids are especially loving the stories in Animal Heroes, Survival Stories, and Cool Creatures.

OMR: What is the most rewarding part of your work?

JF: That is an impossible question to answer! The highlights include working with the teachers and seeing their willingness to learn more to help the children, teaching the children, teaching new games and learning their games, and ultimately, being in such a loving environment that supports children.

OMR: What are the challenges?

JF: The greatest challenge is taking materials over to help improve the education of the children. 97% of our money collected for the organization goes right to the care of the children which leaves very little for educational supplies. I pay for everything out of pocket that we take over, or I get items donated. Read Naturally's donation by far is the most generous. To avoid paying extra, we can only take over so much during one visit, which is a challenge. So far we have taken 11 large suitcases of books to start a library, 10 suitcases worth of games, and this trip we brought math manipulatives and One Minute Reader books in six suitcases. We will be taking 12 more suitcases of materials over in July!

OMR: What can others do to support your work?

JF: Any donation is a welcome donation. $25 goes a long way. For example, my friends donated $100 each and we were able to have whiteboards installed in the eight classrooms; the total cost for whiteboards and installation was only $1000. We have multiple children who attend college, and we continue to financially support them to do so. Any and all donations to these children would be amazing!

Thank you, Joanne, for the important work you're doing. We're so glad to know our One Minute Reader books are making a difference all the way around the world!

If you're interested in supporting Joanne in her work in Kenya, please email us at customerservice@readnaturally.com , and we'll put you in touch.

Celebrating International Children's Book Day

dphillips@readnaturally.com (Diana Phillips) — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Since 1967, International Children's Book Day has been celebrated on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday on April 2. Each year, the International Board on Books for Young People selects an artist and author from a member country to create art around a theme, and the theme for International Children’s Book Day in 2024 is Imagination. To download the official poster and a handout with more information, click here .

We at One Minute Reader are proud to inspire a love of reading and to celebrate children’s books around the world. Here are some ideas for celebrating International Children’s Book Day with your kids.

Check with your local library to see if there are events planned, such as special readings by authors.
Choose a book from the 2024 Outstanding International Books List . After reading the book with your kids, find the country where the book is from on a map and help them do some research on that country and its customs.
Serve a dish from one of the countries featured in the book list.
Challenge your kids (and yourself!) to read books from around the world. They can put a pin in a classroom map to show where the books are from and share what they learned about that country.
Set aside time for a read-along of one of the books on the list. Everyone likes to be read to, no matter how skilled they are!

Let us know how you plan to celebrate International Children’s Book Day in the comments!

Why We Love Reading With Our Kids

dphillips@readnaturally.com (Diana Phillips) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Let’s face it—you’re busy, and so are your kids. It’s hard to find time to have a meal together, much less actually read together. Research shows that reading with your child has benefits beyond just learning to read; children who are read to also build empathy and connection with their caregivers.

March is National Reading Month, a time to celebrate reading together. In honor of National Reading Month, we polled the One Minute Reader staff to find out why they love reading with their children or grandchildren. We hope their responses will inspire you and your children to spend some time enjoying a good book together!

Here is why our staff loves reading with kids:

"Reading aloud at bedtime is wonderful. I miss some of the voices who did that for me." ~Ian, IT Team

"Reading with my kids was a lot of fun. I'd try to perform the books instead of just reading them so that the kids would really enjoy them." ~Marc, CEO

"I loved the routine of getting the kids ready for bed and reading a book or two before tucking them in. As they got older, I loved reading chapter books with them and discussing the plot, characters, and theme. I now get to enjoy bedtime snuggles and reading with my 9-month-old grandson. There is nothing better!" ~Michelle, Assistant Director of Curriculum

"I love having them close to me and sharing a story. I love listening to their opinions and questions." ~Claire, Teacher Trainer

"Reading every night to my kids has, I think, been one of the best things I've ever done as a parent. We've shared in adventures and laughter; experienced fear and distress (from the safety of our home); felt the joy of love and redemption; and together kindled the spark of imagination. And beyond the aim of spending quality time together, I know that reading together has helped develop their curiosity about their world and has shown them reading isn't something to be feared or shied away from. It provides an opportunity to learn new things and experience the world in new ways. It is a tool to help them continue to grow and be better humans." ~Dan, Director of Operations

"Enjoying books with children is one of the great joys of life. Hearing a toddler ask for a favorite story again and again shows their love of reading from an early age." ~Sarah Jane, Director of Research and Professional Learning Materials

"I love when my kiddos make the connection of something that happened in a book to something in real life. Seeing that "click" and light shine in their eyes is so fun to watch." ~Jenna, Customer Service

"I love the bond that forms between the reader and listener. And it's so fun to see understanding growing and expanding." ~Karen, Director of Curriculum

"I love the way reading connects me with my four kids. My 14-year-old was just complaining about needing to read Great Expectations for his literature class, which made me reminisce about reading that book at his age. I told him I thought it was boring at first too, but it's worth it to hang in there. It was fun for us to have a shared experience over the same book, decades apart. I have this experience when I introduce my kids to books I loved as a kid, too; it's even better to relive those books through their eyes. They've introduced me to some great books over the years too!" ~Anne, Writer

What did we miss? What is your favorite part about reading with your kids? Please share!

March Is Women's History Month!

dphillips@readnaturally.com (Diana Phillips) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Every year since 1987, March has been designated by presidential proclamation as Women’s History Month. This annual celebration of women’s contributions to American history began as Women’s History Week in 1978, and today countries like Canada and Australia also honor women and their importance to culture, the arts, politics and education. From Sacagawea to Rosa Parks, women have often led the way in making change possible in our society.

March is a great opportunity for kids to learn more about the amazing women who have impacted our history. For biographies of notable American women, visit https://www.womenshistory.org/ or your school or public library.

As you work to boost literacy with your kids at home, encourage them to interview important women in their lives and learn more about their history, or create a women’s history wall, with images and brief descriptions of famous women. Kids working in One Minute Reader will learn about many interesting women and the way they've shaped history. We've got stories about Alice Walker, Malala, Amy Tan, Ann Bancroft, Ruby Bridges, and many mo re.

As a company founded by a woman, One Minute Reader is proud to recognize Women's History Month. Let us know in the comments how you and your students plan to celebrate!

Rethinking How We Teach the Letter "X"

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Raise your hand if you've ever heard a child joyfully declare, "X is for Xylophone!"? While it's technically true, “xylophone” is probably not the best example word to use when teaching the “X” sound. Why not?

The Science of Reading guides us to help our beginning readers connect letters to their most common sounds. The letter “X” doesn't typically say the /z/ sound we hear at the beginning of words like "xylophone." Instead, its most common sound—/ks/—is typically found in the middle or at the ends of words, as in "oxen" or "box."

Starting phonics instruction with the most common and consistent sounds helps establish a strong foundation. Starting with "X as in fox" can reduce confusion later on. You can introduce more complicated phonics patterns when your developing reader is ready for them.

Think about other words that start with “X”. Words like "X-ray" or "xerox" might come to mind, but they're not exactly in the everyday vocabulary of our beginning readers. By associating “X” with accessible words that embody its signature /ks/ sound, we're providing a clearer learning path for our budding readers.

The Magic of One-Minute Timings: Debunking Myths and Promoting Fluency

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:00:00 GMT

In the literacy education landscape, one-minute timings often find themselves at the center of discussion—and sometimes misconception.

Critics argue that these timings only foster stress and promote speed reading. It’s true that one-minute timings, when introduced without proper framing, can indeed lead to stress or a misguided emphasis on speed. But that isn’t the whole truth. When used in an appropriate way, one-minute timings can be a highly useful tool.

The purpose of a one-minute timing is to measure oral reading fluency. Oral reading fluency is where a lot of misunderstandings around speed reading are born. Oral reading fluency is made up of three components: accuracy, expression, and rate. Rate is only one of three essential components, and it does not equate to speed reading. Rather, oral reading rate is about reading at a pace that is natural and conversational.

Developing oral reading fluency is essential because it is the gateway to automaticity and thus comprehension. As readers become more fluent, their cognitive load is lessened, allowing them to concentrate more on comprehending the text.

One-minute timings are a valuable tool for developing oral reading fluency. They are not about pushing developing readers to read faster, faster, faster—rather, they are a precise tool for measuring progress. One-minute timings can provide educators and parents with concrete data, allowing them to accurately track growth in reading.

Additionally, kids are motivated by seeing their own progress, and words-correct-per-minute graphs serve as great visual representations of their improvement. Having concrete data about their growth is highly motivating for developing readers. What’s more, one-minute timings are short, accessible, and effective assessments for reluctant readers who may be intimidated by the idea of a reading assessment or who struggle with reading stamina.

Now, it’s natural for kids to turn on that “speed reading switch” when they know they're being timed. Some kids may need a reminder that the one-minute timings serve as practice. With practice, they will improve—and the timings will reflect that. By emphasizing the purpose behind timings as a measure of growth, rather than a race, parents can frame this exercise in a way that motivates kids and allows them to reach their reading goals more quickly. For more tips on nipping the speed-reading tendency in the bud, check out our blog, 7 Tips to Slow Down Your Speed Readers .

One-minute timings, when used responsibly, are a fantastic tool to support educators and parents in fostering and supporting the growth of developing readers.

Happy Thanksgiving from One Minute Reader

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:30:00 GMT

When we at One Minute Reader reflect on what we're grateful for, parents like you are at the top of the list. Reflecting on our gratitude makes us better at the work we set out to do every day. Our children are no different. This Thanksgiving season, consider some literacy-boosting ways to encourage your children to reflect on what they’re grateful for. We created a bunch of free gratitude-themed resources we think you and your children will love! The free printables include Gratitude BINGO, Gratitude Scavenger Hunts, Gratitude Conversation Starters, Gratitude Book Lists, Gratitude Cards, a Gratitude Tree activity, and more!

Click here to get the free resources!

We hope you enjoy a restful break, and we wish you and your children a very Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for everything you do.

The Art and Science of Teaching Reading

marketingaccounts@oneminutereader.com (Candyce Ihnot) — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:30:00 GMT

Note: One Minute Reader founder Candyce Ihnot wrote this blog post for the teachers that use Read Naturally (the parent company of One Minute Reader) programs in their schools. We are posting it here since many parents are also interested in what constitutes effective reading instruction.

The renewed enthusiasm over the past few years for phonics instruction has been heartening. I have believed in, and therefore taught, phonics skills since the beginning of my teaching career in 1970. (In fact, I am the proud owner of a well-worn 1967 edition of A Guide to Teaching Phonics, by June Orton.) Phonemic awareness and basic phonics skills are essential foundations on which students build toward the ultimate goal of reading: comprehension. So, through the phonics wars and beyond I continued to teach phonics to my students (and I still do today). In addition, I've been working steadily with our team at Read Naturally and One Minute Reader to enhance and expand our phonics offerings and to plan for more improvements and additions.

The increased attention on phonics of late has inspired many valuable conversations. Some questions I've been getting relate to how best to teach phonics and how teachers can learn enough about phonics themselves to teach it. Some teachers have even asked if they should spend all their reading time teaching phonics. Is phonics hugely important? Yes. Is it the only thing we need to teach? No. Phonics is a significant piece of a bigger puzzle.

I spent the majority of my teaching career as a special education teacher, Title I teacher, or reading specialist. For over 50 years, I have worked with thousands of students with a wide range of abilities and challenges—and personalities! Each student I have taught has also taught me. Among the many lessons, one very general one is that reading is a complex skill. Few human beings can naturally pick up the skill of reading without instruction. Yet learning does come naturally to the vast majority of us, and most students can indeed learn to read with appropriate instruction and practice.

Some of the main things I have found effective for helping students tackle the often daunting task of learning to read are these:

Use the main processes we use to learn almost anything: model/teach the skill, promote frequent, quality practice of it, and monitor progress.
Attend to all five components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) as appropriate based on where students are in their development—often layered with one another and over time in changing proportions.
To the extent possible, treat students as individuals who often require different instruction and support.

1. Use the main processes we use to learn new skills.

Think about the many things you have learned to do well: maybe tying your shoes, swimming, or making an omelet. Did you listen to, watch, and/or receive clear instruction from someone who had already mastered the skill? Did you practice the skill over and over again? Did you notice yourself or have someone tell you what parts you are doing well and what parts you could improve? Employing these basic strategies for learning—modeling and instruction, practice, and progress monitoring—allow people to learn to do many things, including reading. That’s why these strategies are the foundation on which Read Naturally and One Minute Reader programs are built. Regardless of the curriculum you’re using, keep in mind that in order to master a skill as complex as reading, students will need modeling and guidance, repetition, and the self-knowledge and motivation that come with assessing performance.

2. Attend to all five components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Phonemic awareness and basic phonics skills are essential foundations on which students build toward the ultimate goal of reading—to make sense of text—to comprehend it. Within that statement it is clear that solid phonemic awareness and phonics instruction and support is only the beginning. As students progress in their reading skills they need to develop their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills too. The earliest readers will need to spend the most time on the most basic skills of phonemic awareness and phonics. Then once they grasp and begin to master the basics of decoding, more and more time must shift to more advanced components of reading.

Note that the essential components of reading can often receive concurrent attention, with certain components getting more of the focus depending on the reader's needs. Even very early readers get some initial lessons in more advanced components like vocabulary and comprehension as they listen to an adult read a story fluently, as they discuss that story and ask questions about words they didn't understand. Ideally, students learn decoding skills, master those skills through practice, and then become automatic at reading isolated words and connected text. As they become automatic and accurate readers, they will be able to focus on the meaning of words, sentences, and passages because they no longer need to spend so much mental energy on decoding. Teachers should spend time on all the components of reading as they teach—just in appropriate ratios for the students' reading development—and sometimes adjusted a bit according to their temperaments. This is why teaching reading is also an art.

3. To the extent possible, differentiate instruction.

It's difficult to talk about what is appropriate for students in part because of how different what is appropriate can be from one student to another. Teachers usually have multiple students to teach at a time—and meeting each student's needs can seem impossible. Many times students will all get the same lessons and those lessons won't be tailored to best help each student. However, there are often things teachers can do to make sure students get at least some customized support. The goal of addressing the various needs of individual students is behind the flexible design of Read Naturally and One Minute Reader programs, which allow students to work in the level of material that will challenge but not frustrate them.

If this all seems complicated, that’s because it is! As previously stated, reading is a skill—and it takes a lot of effort to teach it well. Plus, English is a complex language, full of rules—and exceptions to those rules! If you are unsure of all of the phonics rules and feel overwhelmed by the prospect of teaching them to your students, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you. I recommend reading the work of David Kilpatrick. In addition, Read Naturally’s GATE program has scripted lessons that are great for students' learning but also can help teachers at the same time. Similarly, our Word Warm-ups Live program delivers scripted phonics lessons, explaining these complicated rules in student-friendly ways and giving students opportunities to practice applying the rules using a motivating process.

I find myself feeling grateful that phonics instruction is finding its way back into a well-deserved prominent place in more reading curricula. I am also hopeful that as many students as possible will receive increasing support, having their individual needs met and ultimately becoming proficient in all aspects of reading. That’s a big dream, and there's much work to do in the attempt to achieve it (which is probably why I haven’t retired yet!). Reading teachers, you have a challenging and essential job. We at Read Naturally and One Minute Reader see you and are here to support you.

Learning Differences in Reading and Writing

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:45:00 GMT

America has been celebrating Disability Pride Month every July ever since passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. Recognizing and celebrating individuals with disabilities should be an everyday, every-month practice, but we appreciate having a calendar month dedicated to this work—especially since helping kids with disabilities and learning differences is a big part of what we do here at One Minute Reader.

Specifically, our program supports kids who struggle with reading. Many kids have difficulty in this area, but general descriptions do not necessarily point parents toward the specific support they need. When parents and teachers understand what, specifically, is causing challenges, they can proceed with a targeted intervention. Sometimes, kids struggle but do not have an identified disability or learning difference. Other times, there is an underlying disability such as dyslexia at play. Kids in both groups have the ability to become confident and skillful readers.

So, what are the most common learning differences in reading and writing? Below you will find descriptions of the types of deficits that may require targeted intervention. This content is paraphrased from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website . Please note that “deficits,” “disabilities,” and “disorders,” are all used to describe these learning differences. We are sensitive to the fact that people have different preferences for this terminology, so please substitute the words that feel most respectful and appropriate to you.

Word Recognition Deficits/Dyslexia

Kids who have difficulty reading despite instruction but who do not have coexisting neurological differences may have word recognition deficits. This is also called dyslexia. A person with word recognition deficits may have difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling.

Reading Comprehension Deficits/Hyperlexia

Reading comprehension deficits are sometimes referred to as hyperlexia. Individuals with this learning difference have problems in listening and reading comprehension. They struggle with word recognition skills; reading fluency; and social, cognitive, or linguistic skills.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia refers to difficulty with writing. Two common forms of dysgraphia include the following:

Writing Process Deficits
Writing process deficits are problems with the cognitive–linguistic aspects of writing. This involves difficulty with planning, drafting, reflecting on writing, revising, editing, and discourse.
Writing Product Deficits
Writing product deficits involve difficulty organizing and adequately expressing thoughts in writing; difficulty constructing grammatically correct sentences; limited written fluency; syntactic problems; word choice limitations; and numerous words spelled incorrectly.

Spelling Deficits/Dysorthography

Deficits in spelling are sometimes called dysorthography. Such deficits involve difficulty with encoding phonological information. Spelling deficits include difficulty representing the phonological structure of regularly spelled words; difficulty remembering and reproducing the patterns of irregularly spelled words; lack of morphemic awareness in spelling; and difficulty spelling words correctly in sentences.

Spoken and Written Language Deficits

Deficits in spoken and written language may be referred to as an oral and written language learning disability. This may result in difficulty pronouncing complex words; reading fluency; word recognition/decoding; spelling; and language comprehension.

Realizing just how many learning differences in reading and writing exist and what they are is the first step toward helping kids overcome these challenges. The ASHA website is a wonderful resource for specific assessment and intervention information. One Minute Reader is designed to help kids with learning differences overcome their challenges. Click here for more information on this research-based program.

Prosody: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

dphillips@readnaturally.com (Diana Phillips) — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:31:12 GMT

When some people hear the word “prosody,” they might think it sounds like the name of an Internet startup or a new medication. Prosody— the pitch, tone, volume and rhythm in oral reading—is an important component of fluency. The National Reading Panel describes prosody as “proper expression,” and when teachers are explaining it to their students, they might say, “Try to read like you talk.” Readers who use correct prosody group words into phrases rather than reading word-by-word. This expressive style of reading shows that readers understand what they’re reading, and it helps listeners understand better as well. When we listen to an expressive reader, we’re able to create meaning as they read, just like we create meaning for ourselves as we read silently.

Is it possible to teach prosody, or do kids simply learn it naturally? Tim Shanahan, a leader of the National Reading Panel and former first grade teacher, believes that evidence supports direct teaching of prosody. In a recent blog post , he cites research by Wolters, Kim, & Szura (2022) that found that prosody plays a part in not just fluency but also reading comprehension, because it allows readers to create and maintain meaning in what they read.

The teachers who developed One Minute Reader agree with Shanahan: Prosody matters and should be taught. You can tell that we care about prosody when you listen to the audio recordings of the stories in the Read Along step of our program. The narrators in our audio recordings are real people (not robots!) who emphasize important words while they’re reading, make exclamations sound exciting and questions sound uncertain, and so on. When kids read along with these recordings, imitating expression and phrasing, their prosody and comprehension both improve. Good reading comprehension is dependent on more than reading individual words correctly. In order to make meaning out of text, readers need to develop the ability to “chunk” words into phrases. Kids who work in One Minute Reader are taught this skill through the Read Along step.

In his blog post, Shanahan also mentions that repeated reading, another strategy incorporated into One Minute Reader, has been found to improve the prosody of early readers (Logan, 1997; Stoddard, Valcante, Sindelar, O'Shea, & et al., 1993). When kids practice reading the same passage over and over, as is required in the Read Alone step of One Minute Reader, they are improving their accuracy, their automaticity, and their prosody. Combining the audio-supported Read Along step with the Read Alone step in One Minute Reader gives kids important tools to read more expressively and fluently.

Prosody is emphasized throughout the process as kids work through the steps of One Minute Reader. This focus on prosody not only allows kids to sound like better readers, but it helps them to actually be better readers—readers who are fluent and who comprehend the material.

Check out One Minute Reader to learn more about how teacher modeling and repeated reading work together to develop students' literacy. And be sure to read Shanahan's informative article on the importance of prosody.

The Sweet Spot of Support

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:45:00 GMT

Reading Specialist and One Minute Reader founder Candyce Ihnot likes to tell the story of a little boy who went from struggling to fluent in her class. When Candyce asked the boy how he got to be such a good reader, he said with a smirk, "It was nothing you did.” Rather than be offended by his brutal honesty, Candyce was delighted. The boy was taking due credit for his own accomplishment. He had come to understand that he’d possessed the tools for success all along. Having found the confidence and fortitude to master a huge challenge, he could now draw on those qualities again in the future—without his teacher’s help.

Of course, the boy’s assessment that Candyce had done absolutely nothing to help him learn to read was not entirely accurate. Rather, Candyce had offered just the right amount of support while still allowing him to feel ownership of his own success. Parents should aim to strike this same balance. The sweet spot lies in middle ground between over-functioning for your children, hijacking their accomplishments, and leaving them hanging without enough support to thrive. So how do you find this sweet spot for reading development?

Although children are able to work independently in the One Minute Reader program, parent support in key areas is crucial to their success. Specifically, you must provide support:

To properly introduce your child to the program. Our Steps Summary document provides a useful breakdown of the steps for you to use with your child.
To set clear expectations from the beginning. How many stories should they aim to complete each week? Should they be tracking their progress? Recording difficult words? Check out these free resources for ideas.
To dedicate a reading space for them to focus and flourish.
To encourage them in their efforts and celebrate their success. Reviewing the fluency and comprehension graphs with your child allows you to provide feedback on their performance and recognize their growth.

The long-term goal is for your child to become a fluent, confident, and independent reader. Developing readers have no time to waste, and parent support is crucial in helping them reach this goal as efficiently as possible.

At the same time, you must help your child understand that their success is the direct result of their own efforts, and that they possess the skills they need to become a good reader. To this end, take care to ensure they work independently on activities that allow for it, and celebrate their progress graphs as proof of success. If, in the end, you have a fluent reader who can take full credit for their accomplishments, you’ll know you struck the right balance.

How Can You Encourage Subvocalization?

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 17:45:00 GMT

Teacher modeling has a huge impact on potential for mastery in almost any complex skill. Think of an instrument you may have tried to play when you were young—how did you learn the proper fingerings? Did a skilled musician demonstrate turning disconnected notes into a smoothly played song or the difference adding dynamics can make? Maybe you played a sport involving a club, a bat, or a racket. Did your coach move your hands to the proper position? Teacher modeling can be executed in unison or as imitation. You’ll likely see both in a dance class; the instructor demonstrates a move while students watch, and then the whole class performs the move in unison. Note that active participation by the student occurs in all these scenarios. It’s the same with reading development.

In One Minute Reader , Teacher Modeling shows up in our Read Along Step. The student reads along, quietly vocalizing the words along with a recording of the story, often three times. At least, that's what they’re supposed to do. As parents, we know that subvocalizing will help our children learn unknown words, proper pronunciation, expression, and phrasing. Because we understand that practicing reading aloud along with the recording will increase confidence and decrease reading anxiety, we instruct our children that the Read Along Step is not a listening step. Yet, you may sometimes notice your child blankly staring at the screen while the narrator is reading the story. So, aside from verbal encouragement, what can we do to encourage subvocalization?

Two significant barriers to subvocalization are distraction and self-consciousness. The following are tips for combatting these obstacles.

Make your reading space a device-free zone.
Smartphones are endlessly entertaining. With an unlimited number of apps and notifications, it can be hard to resist the temptation to respond to that text, play one more game, or scroll for just a few minutes on a favorite social media platform. Set all devices (don’t forget about watches!) to “Do Not Disturb” and keep them in a basket out of reach and out of sight.

Keep your reading space tidy.
Messy space can be distracting, or at the very least, create a feeling of unease. An ideal reading environment is tidy and organized.

Keep your reading space separate from other spaces.
A reading space should be a space for just that—reading. Conversations, toys, activities, or even too much movement can interfere with a reader’s ability to focus. Even if the reading space is part of another room, dedicate a corner or a small section of the room for the sole purpose of reading.

Be mindful of your readers' energy levels
Food can be a great way to help the body stay alert. Coffee and tea are beverages that are often associated with reading time, but even just having a fresh glass of water within reach can be helpful. Gum or mints can be good options, too. If you want to go above and beyond, find a special treat to only serve during reading time. Your young readers will associate the delicious snack with the activity of reading.
Some young readers might have trouble sitting still for so long. Fidget toys or a book stand are good options for allowing movement during quiet reading time.

Provide headphones.
Headphones reduce distractions, making it easier for students to concentrate on the task at hand. Consequently, the comfort level of insecure students also increases with minimized reminders of other students surrounding them.

Respect privacy.
Reading time can make people feel vulnerable. A person may feel embarrassed about what they're reading our how they sound reading aloud. Privacy can help your readers feel more comfortable and secure. Bookshelves or curtains can function well as dividers.

Make some noise.
Your child may not want their voice to dominate the space, especially if other people are around. Instrumental music or white noise can help them feel less self-conscious. Or, try reading along with your child to provide support and keep them on-task.

Should You Allow Your Child to Read Books That Are “Too Hard”?

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:29:01 GMT

“This book is too hard for you.” “This book isn’t at the right level.”

Have you ever said these things to a developing reader? You may have. As we all know, a book at the wrong level can easily cause a struggling reader to feel frustrated or incompetent—which may lead to just turning the pages and looking at pictures. Thus, it’s often appropriate to direct them toward easier reading material.

And yet, in some situations, a book that’s “too hard” is exactly the right choice . How do you know the difference?

An Education Week article entitled, “ Don’t Crush Reading Motivation ,” * explores this topic. The article describes two types of reading: guided reading and self-selected reading. Guided reading is at the student’s instructional level, as determined by assessments. When students are involved in this type of reading, the teacher provides reading material at the correct level. This may mean steering students away from books that are too difficult. Guided reading has many benefits as students work to become fluent, but students’ choices are limited and sometimes don't match their interests.

The second type of reading, self-selected reading, involves the student choosing their own reading material from the library, classroom bookshelf, etc. In these situations, the student should be allowed to choose any book they are interested in—even a book that’s too hard. As the Education Week article explains:

“Through self-selected reading, students gain both a sense of independence and greater self-confidence. When their choices are validated—when the book is interesting and they enjoy it—they learn that they can make good decisions on their own. What's more, knowing that they can make wise reading choices can increase their motivation, a key component of independent reading. When a child is motivated to read a book, for whatever reason, this often compensates for any reading difficulties. ”

But what if a self-selected book is entirely too challenging for the student to read independently? In this situation, the student should be encouraged to read the book with a proficient reader—another student, a reading buddy from an older grade, or an available adult. Although the student’s independent reading time may be compromised while reading this book, there may be a bigger payoff in motivation and engagement—two very important components of independent reading. Students need books that motivate them to read and keep them engaged. When these elements are present, the student wants to read more often, and reading skills improve.

The Education Week article asserts that both guided reading and self-selected reading are important for developing readers, and we agree. In many ways, students working in One Minute Reader enjoy the benefits of both types of reading, without the drawbacks.

In the One Minute Reader program, students are placed into a level that’s slightly above instructional level. The level provides a challenge, but the strategy offers the support required for the student to succeed. Within this level, the student selects any story they want to read. All stories are high-interest nonfiction, and topics were carefully chosen to appeal to students of all ages. Because the student has the ability to self-select a story, engagement and motivation increase. One Minute Reader also provides audio support, so the student is still able to work independently. Motivation is enhanced by self-monitoring of progress, another key component of the program.

When students are working in One Minute Reader , they’re engaged with their self-selected reading material, and nobody needs to tell them it’s too hard.

Questions About Reading Levels? We’ve Got Answers.

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:15:00 GMT

Kids will make optimal reading progress when they work in material at the appropriate level.

Experts agree that this is true, but the problem is that the definition of “appropriate level” changes depending on the context. When should you give readers material at their independent level? How about their instructional level? What is the difference between the two? And is it ever appropriate to let them work at their frustration level? If you’ve ever found yourself asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to break it down for you.

Independent vs. Instructional Level: What’s the Difference?

A child's independent reading level is the level at which the child can read successfully without help. Independent-level material is material that the student reads fluently without difficulty. Experts recommend that kids’ accuracy should be around 98% at this level and that they should be able to answer 90% or more of the comprehension questions correctly. Kids can use independent-level material when reading for enjoyment or when practicing a new reading strategy. Ultimately, we want kids reading independently at their grade level.

A child's instructional reading level is the level at which a child can read with support from a teacher and/or program. Because of this support, the child's instructional level is higher than their independent level. According to experts, a child's instructional level is the level of material in which they demonstrate at least 90% accuracy and a score of 60% or better in comprehension. Kids will often read material at or slightly above their instructional reading level in a fluency intervention. The One Minute Reader Strategy includes teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring. With these supports in place, working at or slightly above instructional level challenges the child and accelerates their reading achievement.

Determining a Child’s Independent and Instructional Reading Level

Educators often use a reading inventory to determine kids’ instructional and independent reading levels. These tools are designed to accurately assess students’ reading abilities. Reading inventories and benchmark assessments help teachers identify whether there is a need for a reading intervention.

One Minute Reader: Independent or Instructional?

Kids using One Minute Reader should be working at or slightly above their instructional level. This is because the program provides audio support and other scaffolding to accelerate progress. With this support, the kids can handle more challenging material.

What About “Frustration Level”?

A child's frustration level is a level at which fluency and expression are lacking. The child is reading word-for-word, halting, and with less than 90% accuracy and less than 60% comprehension. Typically, teachers avoid having students read this material. However, if a child is asking to read something too challenging, there is no harm in letting them try, especially with support. They might surprise you. In this video , Candyce Ihnot (reading specialist and founder of Read Naturally) shares the unique story of a student wanting to work in a more challenging level. Although he needed a lot of help at first, he made significant progress over time. He was engaged and motivated enough to rise to the challenge.

Communication with Schools

Often, parents will receive a reading inventory report from their child's teacher or school. For example, the report might say a fifth-grade student’s instructional reading level is at the fifth-grade level. You may assume this means the child is reading at grade level. However, this is not the case. If the child's instructional reading level is at the fifth-grade level, their independent reading level is lower than that—and, thus, below grade level.

For More Information…

This One Minute Reader blog article explains how the One Minute Reader Strategy allows students to select engaging material at a level that might feel “too hard” (instructional level) at first—but, thanks to the Strategy, students experience success, build confidence, and make progress quickly.

7 Tips to Slow Down Your Speed Readers

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 19:30:00 GMT

Does your child seem more focused on rate than on overall reading improvement? As young readers build fluency, it’s natural for them to them to try to read faster. When they become too focused on speed, however, they often lose accuracy and expression. Reading fluently means reading accurately, expressively, and at an appropriate rate. In other words, fluency means reading “like you speak,” at a rate others can easily understand. The ultimate goal of reading is always comprehension, not speed.

How can you slow down readers who are overly focused on rate? Here are some ideas we've collected over the years:

Read along with your child and tap the table twice for every period and once for every comma. This helps them internalize how long to pause for punctuation. Then teach them to tap the table in the same manner as they read alone.
Teach your child to take a breath before each punctuation mark.
Model fast reading and then reading with expression to demonstrate the difference.
Use a metronome to help your child stay with the beat.
Show your child a segment on the Discovery Channel or a similar program and direct them to pay attention to the narrator’s voice. Encourage them to sound like the narrator when they read—to have a clear voice that people can easily understand.
Have “Radio Friday” (or another day of the week) in which your child can practice reading a passage like a newscaster or a radio personality.
Post a humorous sign in your reading space with the message you want to get across, such as, "Slow down, or you will be pulled over for speeding!"

If your child is working in One Minute Reader or a program with a timed-reading component, try the following:

Have your child read the passage to you, untimed and with correct phrasing, before the timed reading.
Emphasize comprehension by having your child retell the story to you before the timed reading.
In One Minute Reader, reduce the number of read-alongs . With less audio support, developing readers will need to work harder on word recognition, forcing them to slow down and learn to read the words accurately.

If you’re taking remedial actions like reducing the number of read-alongs, it’s important to try just one remedial action at a time, and give your child time to adjust. Often a nudge in the right direction is enough to help them slow down.

It is exciting for young learners to increase the rate at which they can read, but becoming truly fluent is inherently more rewarding. When readers are fluent with the text, they have enough mental energy left to comprehend. As we already know, comprehension is what makes reading enjoyable and life-changing.

Do you have additional suggestions for slowing down your speed readers? We’d love to hear what’s worked for you. Click here to share!

Magic in the Middle

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:45:00 GMT

I'll never forget the time my middle child, at age four, found a flashcard with the word “flabbergasted” on it. I read the card to him and told him the meaning of the word. He started bringing the card everywhere he went and belly laughing whenever he showed it to someone. Some nights, he even slept with it under his pillow.

There's something so delightful about learning a new word. At the time the "flabbergasted" card made its appearance in our house, my oldest child, who was seven years old, was constantly asking me what certain words meant as he learned to read them. My youngest, at age one, was immersed in his attempts at speech, reminding me that we’re all innately drawn to words from the beginning. But it was my middle boy and his word card that made me reflect on the universal appeal of word learning. He had already learned to speak, but he hadn't yet learned to read. One could assume that words and their meanings weren't as important to him as they were to the learning-to-speak baby and the learning-to-read elementary schooler. And yet, “flabbergasted” brought him more joy than his favorite toy. In many ways, I think the middle might actually be the sweet spot.

Similarly, the middle grades (fourth and fifth) are a key time to focus on vocabulary in schools. Students at this level are ripe for learning vocabulary acquisition techniques such as using context clues, using a glossary, and analyzing roots/affixes to determine a word’s meaning. Inevitably, as they encounter new texts, they’re bound to face an increasing number of words they don’t know. When they have the skills to learn these words independently, reading becomes more meaningful and more enjoyable.

The middle grades are also an ideal time to teach high-utility words that will show up in the increasingly sophisticated texts students are expected to read. Research shows that children with smaller vocabularies tend to fall significantly behind in grade four, and that decline accelerates in grades five and six as curriculum starts to include more abstract, academic, literary, and less-common words (Chall, Jacobs, & Baldwin, 1990).

If you’re looking for a way to capitalize on your child's capacity to expand their vocabulary and thus improve their literacy, check out our Splat-O-Nym iPad app. Splat-O-Nym is a fun, effective, and affordable to help children build vocabulary in a meaningful way. Readers master synonyms, antonyms, and words-in-context as they learn thousands of useful new words. They have so much fun “splatting” words, accumulating points, and moving from level to level, they often forget that they’re learning! This app was designed by reading teachers who prioritize the Science of Reading and did extensive research on the best ways to learn and retain vocabulary. Check it out! We think you’ll be "flabbergasted" by the quality and results.

Click here to download the app or learn more.

Motivate Your Child to Pass More Stories!

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 18:45:00 GMT

The more stories students pass, the more they improve.

The quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. And yet, you may notice your child prefers to work at a leisurely pace—unconcerned with how many stories they're passing each week. How can you motivate them to increase the number of words and stories they read?

Over the years, we've collected a few tips and tricks for parents like you:

The Point System. This good old-fashioned incentive program can yield great results. Give your child a certain number of points every time they pass a story—for example 10 points per story. When they reach a certain number of points—for example, 100 points—they earn a reward. Young readers love small prizes like stickers. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. You will get the best results if you pair point distribution with well-deserved verbal praise.

Story Options. Celebrate your child's success with appropriate program adjustments. Offer a reduced number of required read alongs or practices as a reward for consistent accuracy on the quiz and pass timings. If your child scores 100% (or whatever you determine is appropriate) on several quizzes in a row and passes stories with a low number of errors (ideally two or fewer) on their first attempt, allow them to drop the number of required read alongs or practices by one. This will help them move through the program more quickly. In order to maintain this privilege, their scores need to stay high.

These incentives can also be tied into the points system. Reduced read alongs or practices can be offered as rewards for a certain number of points earned.
Personal Progress Monitoring. When developing readers take responsibility for their own success, they can progress more quickly. While progress monitoring is already built into the One Minute Reader program through points and progress graphs, we also offer several free printables to make the reading process more interactive, motivating, and progress-oriented for your developing reader. Click here for Blank Graphs, Student Surveys, Story Title Labels, a Weekly Story Tracker, and more!

Note that we are not encouraging students to skim or speed read. Passing stories requires careful reading, comprehension, and accuracy, and readers are held accountable to meet the pass criteria in order to move ahead. As they build fluency, they will be able to read and pass stories more quickly, which will accelerate them toward reading proficiency. Be sure to keep tabs on their comprehension and accuracy throughout the process, and make adjustments if these elements start to slide.

Parents are awesome at motivating their children to do things they may not want to do. Use this superpower to help your child make optimal progress in reading. And if you have additional tricks up your sleeve, please share them ! We would love to pass your wisdom along to other parents.

How Well Do We Really Understand Growth Mindset?

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:00:01 GMT

Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking mindset research has been all the rage in education circles for a number of years now. Her research shows that students with growth mindsets—those who welcome a challenge and believe they can improve with effort—perform better than students with fixed mindsets who tend to avoid difficult tasks and who believe certain traits, like intelligence, can’t be grown.

Parents and teachers can help nurture the growth mindset, and many have made it a priority to do so. But what, exactly, does this look like? Many people understand Dweck’s research to mean we should encourage and praise effort, not outcomes. But this understanding, Dweck says in an interview with The Atlantic , misses the mark. Parents and teachers who want to foster a growth mindset need to do much more than just praise effort.

“Praise the effort that led to the outcome or learning progress; tie the praise to it,” Dweck says. “It’s not just effort, but strategy … so support the student in finding another strategy. Effective teachers who actually have classrooms full of children with a growth mindset are always supporting children’s learning strategies and showing how strategies created that success.”

Thus, Dweck asserts that fostering a growth mindset can be a long and laborious process that requires deep understanding and a sophisticated approach. It’s much more involved than simply encouraging kids to try their best.

Consider this example of the nuance: I have terrible instincts when it comes to fixing things. But if I theoretically could fix something myself, I don’t like to pay someone else to do it. It’s a tricky combination. More than once, I’ve stubbornly tried to fix something and have ended up breaking it even more. My main problem is that I don’t take the time to carefully research the solution before I start pounding square pegs into round holes.

But hey, I’m putting forth effort, right? There’s actually a lot of effort being expended in these situations—I’m usually sweating by the end. And it’s not like I’ve avoided a challenge. On the contrary, I’ve confronted it head on.

The problem is, it’s not good effort. It has no direction, no strategy, no openness to input. It’s just the stubborn exertion of my non-skills, without a thoughtful plan. If someone praised my effort after one of these episodes—“The important thing is that you tried!”—I don’t think I would take kindly to the feedback.

Do I have a growth mindset here? Or am I just reinforcing my fixed mindset that I’ll never be a handy person?

I could improve in my ability to fix things, but I would need to take a different approach. I would need to put my effort into learning how to properly do so. Believing in my potential to improve (instead of simply saying, “I have terrible instincts when it comes to fixing things”), and working productively toward that improvement, would be a growth mindset. I’d earn your praise of my efforts if I learned an effective way to fix something and then thoughtfully applied that knowledge.

According to Dweck, “You don’t want [students] redoubling their efforts with the same ineffective strategies. You want them to know when to ask for help and when to use resources that are available. All of this is part of the process that needs to be taught and tied to learning.”

At One Minute Reader , we have a special interest in growth mindsets as they relate to reading. As you know, a big reason kids struggle with reading is because their mindset about it is fixed. “I’m bad at reading” is often the beginning of the downward spiral that widens the gap between a struggling reader and their peers. We designed One Minute Reader so that the kids using the program would improve through sustained effort with an effective approach. Their confidence builds and their motivation increases as they realize their reading ability is not fixed at all—they possess everything they need to make it grow.

Please try our program for free if you’d like to experience how it can help your struggling reader. We’d love to partner with you in helping your child's growth mindset flourish. As for me, I think I’ve finally convinced myself to watch some how-to-fix-it YouTube videos—before grabbing my toolbox—the next time something breaks.

What Makes an Ideal Reading Environment?

mwaters@readnaturally.com (Madeline Waters) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:00:00 GMT

Environment is a very powerful driver of behavior. We’re affected by so many variables like light, noise, temperature, and space. All of these factors and more have the potential to impact our mood, energy, motivation, efficiency, and sense of security. The significance of environment is something we all have experience with, and for that reason, we often search for ways to control our surroundings. That’s why people spend time maximizing their workspace for comfort and efficiency, finding a gym where they feel safe and motivated, or cleaning out the garage every spring. Consider the environment you’re in right now. How is it affecting you? What things do you have control over?

There are an unlimited number of variables surrounding and affecting us at all times. Reading time is no exception. So, what can we do to create an optimal reading space for our children? Here are some easy and effective ideas:

1. Minimize distractions.

Make your reading space a device-free zone.
Smartphones are endlessly entertaining. With an unlimited number of apps and notifications, it can be hard to resist the temptation to respond to that text, play one more game, or scroll for just a few minutes on a favorite social media platform. Set all devices (don’t forget about watches!) to “Do Not Disturb” and keep them in a basket out of reach and out of sight.
Keep your reading space tidy.
Messy space can be distracting, or at the very least, create a feeling of unease. An ideal reading environment is tidy and organized.
Keep your reading space separate from other spaces.
A reading space should be a space for just that—reading. Conversations, toys, activities, or even too much movement can interfere with a reader’s ability to focus. Even if the reading space is part of another room, dedicate a corner or a small section of the room for the sole purpose of reading.

2. Create comfort.

Make your reading space a physically comfortable place to spend lots of time.
When you hear the phrase, “Curl up with a good book,” what do you picture? Pillows, blankets, and fluffy rugs are a great way to cozy-up a space. Bean bags, rocking chairs, hammocks, and small sofas are also comfortable places to read. Or, help your young readers build a reading fort!
Lighting, temperature, and ventilation are all huge contributors to physical comfort. Open a window to let in some fresh air and natural light. If that’s not possible, try turning on a fan and adding some reading lamps or string lights.
Pay attention to background noise.
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to background noise. Some people like it quiet, while others enjoy listening to instrumental music or white noise. If there are multiple readers sharing a space, try to find a solution that works for everyone. Headphones and earplugs are great options to provide more individual choice.
Respect privacy.
Reading time can make people feel vulnerable. A person may feel embarrassed about what they're reading or how they sound reading aloud. Privacy can help your readers feel more comfortable and secure. Bookshelves or curtains can function well as dividers.

3. Increase engagement.

Ensure your reading space has a variety of materials.
It’s important to give readers lots of options. Magazines, novels, newspapers, comics, journals, articles, biographies, poetry, encyclopedias, catalogs, dictionaries, scripts, and brochures are great additions to any reading collection.
Have a "top picks" shelf.
Get your readers invested in the reading environment by allowing them to contribute to it. Set up a space for them to display their top picks, and encourage them to write a review.
Be mindful of your readers' energy levels.
Food can be a great way to help the body stay alert. Coffee and tea are beverages that are often associated with reading time, but even just having a fresh glass of water within reach can be helpful. Gum or mints can be good options, too. If you want to go above and beyond, find a special treat to only serve during reading time. Your young readers will associate the delicious snack with the activity of reading.
Some young readers might have trouble sitting still for so long. Fidget toys or a book stand are good options for allowing movement during quiet reading time.

As an added bonus, we asked our followers on social media, “What makes an ideal reading environment?” Read their responses below!

Good light and sounds of nature!
No phone
Pillows and blankets
For me, just enough light!
White noise
A comfy beach chair and the sound of waves!
Lots of choices in reading materials
Ideally a quiet area with a comfy chair! But the most important thing for me is just having something interesting to read :)
For grown-ups: a cup of coffee!
Breeze coming in an open window
A comfy chair
An organized bookshelf!
Natural light

What Babies Teach Us About Making Mistakes

ahauth@readnaturally.com (Anne Hauth) — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 19:45:00 GMT

Why are babies the most effective learners we know? Because they have not yet learned to feel shame about their mistakes. Learn how our brains grow when we make mistakes, and how to help kids learn from their mistakes instead of shutting down.

Read Aloud and Reap the Benefits

Thu, 25 May 2023 20:59:44 GMT

Have you considered incorporating a read aloud routine into your plans?

No student is too old or too young to enjoy reading along with a close family member or friend, and the benefits are immense. Research supports that reading aloud to someone directly helps that person build the knowledge required for success in reading. Those who are read to on a regular basis gain language and literacy skills earlier and more quickly than those who are not. When a caring person reads to another, vocabulary, decoding, and comprehension skills improve. Most importantly, reading becomes associated with love, which helps foster a lifelong love of reading.

Read aloud time is also a great opportunity to help your child develop reading stamina. By taking turns reading, your child gets to exercise their reading abilities while benefiting from your feedback and support. Over time, you can gradually extend the number of pages or duration your child spends reading.

Readaloud.org is a wonderful resource devoted to this important practice. The Book Selections page includes suggestions for every age group through the age of 8. For additional book suggestions, check out our free book lists!

Is There an Upside to Screen Time?

Thu, 25 May 2023 18:59:14 GMT

As a mother of four young children who are drawn to the iPad like moths to a flame, it’s a little hard for me to write a blog post about the upside of screen time. Mostly I see the iPad as a frequent source of conflict in my house. My kids want to play games or watch shows on it, and I want them to do things I’ve deemed more meaningful—read books, play outside, build with Legos, or, dare I even dream it, pick up their room. Indeed, plenty of research confirms the negative consequences of too much screen time, which is why so many parents find themselves fighting this battle with their children day after day.

So where is the upside? When kids use One Minute Reader on a computer or tablet, they have audio support for unknown words, plenty of content at a level that will challenge but not frustrate them, a motivating system for tracking progress, a game-like interface to keep them engaged, and more. This system makes reading enjoyable while offering kids the support they need to improve quickly. Furthermore, the “moth to the flame” phenomenon works in everyone’s favor. Students are so drawn to the program on the screen, they are more motivated than ever to work on fluency. If this is the end result, and a screen can help achieve it with increased efficiency, I’d call that an upside for sure.

If screens (in moderation!) are a part of your children’s lives, consider a well-developed, tried-and-true educational program like One Minute Reader. The whole program, with dozens of high-interest stories, is just a click away for $8/month. If your kids are game lovers, you might also want to check out the fun, vocabulary-boosting Splat-o-Nym app for the iPad.

As summer approaches, we hope your screen time battles are minimal and that One Minute Reader is a solution everyone can agree on.

7 Influential People with Dyslexia

Mon, 01 May 2023 20:56:11 GMT

Today’s guest post features the writing of Maria Hughes. Maria is a blogger, a parent, and someone who is very involved in the world of children’s books and child literacy. In this post, she sheds light on seven famous individuals who had dyslexia.

7 Influential People with Dyslexia

By Maria Hughes

Children with dyslexia are often misunderstood and mistreated. Parents and children constantly exposed to negative feedback need to remember that they are not alone, and their situation is far from hopeless. There are hundreds of people with dyslexia that have reached astronomical success, and here are just a few of them:

1. Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, without doubt, had one of the most important minds in history. He may have had a hard time remembering what month it was, or how to tie his shoes, but Einstein solved some of the most intricate mathematical equations of all time and affected history with his discoveries—it didn’t even matter that he was dyslexic.

2. Leonardo Da Vinci

If your child ever believes that they can’t do something because they are dyslexic, tell them about Leonardo Da Vinci. Not only did he create the first blueprints for vehicles and contraptions hundreds of years ahead of his time, he was also an anatomist, sculptor, painter, musician, botanist, writer, mathematician, engineer, and least consequential of all, he was dyslexic.

3. Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison didn’t do well in school. He only went for about three months, officially, and had a wandering mind, did poorly with math, words, and speech. Edison had dyslexia—but that wasn’t the only thing he had. He had passion, and he applied that passion to his work, making him the inventor of the phonograph and the light bulb, among other devices that changed the world.

4. Walt Disney

If your kids watch any of the shows on the Disney channel, like Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse or any of the Disney characters, or have ever been or wanted to go to Disney Land, you should be the first to tell them that none of that would be possible without Walt Disney—somebody who had dyslexia. Walt Disney had to work hard for everything that he achieved, going to two schools at one time despite his learning disability, and creating one of the biggest brands the world has ever seen.

5. Whoopi Goldberg

Your children might not be familiar with much of Whoopi Goldberg’s work, but if you ever sit down to watch The View while they are around, you can point her out to them. Goldberg didn’t know that she had dyslexia until she was an adult, long after she dropped out of school. Now she has a very successful career and has overcome that which used to keep her down.

6. Orlando Bloom

While your children might not know who Whoopi Goldberg is, all you have to do is put on one of the Lord of the Rings or the Pirates of the Caribbean films to see Orlando Bloom. He struggled through school and kept his dyslexia a secret until very recently, opening up so that he could give advice to parents and kids struggling with dyslexia.

7. Cher

Cher is another strong woman that overcame dyslexia. Cher dropped out of school at age 16 and didn’t learn that she had dyslexia until she was 30, when her daughter was being tested for learning disabilities. One of the most powerful and talented singers, Cher has battled against dyslexia throughout her career and has come out the victor.

Maria Hughes is a children’s book enthusiast, parent, and online publisher for www.childrensbookstore.com . She enjoys blogging about reading and children’s books.

Learning Differences in Reading and Writing

Mon, 01 May 2023 20:38:54 GMT

Word Recognition Deficits/Dyslexia

Reading Comprehension Deficits/Hyperlexia

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia refers to difficulty with writing. Two common forms of dysgraphia include the following:

Writing Process Deficits
Writing process deficits are problems with the cognitive–linguistic aspects of writing. This involves difficulty with planning, drafting, reflecting on writing, revising, editing, and discourse.
Writing Product Deficits
Writing product deficits involve difficulty organizing and adequately expressing thoughts in writing; difficulty constructing grammatically correct sentences; limited written fluency; syntactic problems; word choice limitations; and numerous words spelled incorrectly.