Hello All! I don't usually send emails about research, but I thought this "new" finding was interesting - STUDY: DIRECT INSTRUCTION NOT BEST WAY TO TEACH READING A three-year study of methods of teaching reading shows that highly scripted, teacher-directed methods of teaching reading were not as effective as traditional methods that allowed a more flexible approach. The study, headed by Randall Ryder, professor of curriculum and instruction in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Education, also found that teachers felt the most highly scripted method, known as Direct Instruction (DI), should be used in limited situations, not as the primary method of teaching students to read. Urban teachers in particular expressed great concern over the DI's lack of sensitivity to issues of poverty, culture and race. Ryder's study looked at a range of approaches, from the very scripted DI approach to more traditional, holistic approaches that balanced systematic instruction with more open-ended classroom experiences. According to Ryder, "Most approaches work for some children -- no single approach works for all children. Which method is the best method for teaching reading varies for any student at any given time." http://www.uwm.edu/News/PR/04.01/Reading.html I am fairly certain that most teachers who ever taught young children to read already know that there is no one way to teach all children to read, but this is an interesting piece of research.... Please feel encouraged to share your thoughts with the group, or with me directly! Gail www.GailLovely.com glovely@xxxxxxx