What the Papers Say
Literacy . Education . Learning
Articles from –
The New York Times
USA Today
The Orlando Sentinel
Literacy Low,
Phonics Goes To High School
The New York Times
MEMPHIS – For much of his life, Roderick, a high school junior, did not enjoy reading. As a boy, he trudged through picture books that his mother encouraged him to read. As a teenager, he sometimes wrestled with complex texts at school.
“I would read, and I’d go back and reread,” he said. “It’s just stressful.”
But recently, he said, he has made strides, in part, because of an unusual and sweeping high school literacy curriculum in Memphis.
The program focuses on expanding vocabulary and giving teenagers reading strategies – such as decoding words – that build upon fundamentals taught in elementary school. The curriculum is imbedded not just in English, but also in math, science and social studies.
When Books for Children Are Banned
Re “Growing Networks of Conservative Groups are fueling Book Bans” Dec. 13):
Do these parents really believe that the moral code they teach to their children is so fragile that the presence of a book on a library shelf will threaten it? Do they take no responsibility for talking with their children about the diversity of life and how their personal morals fit in?
A personal moral code is complex and the most powerful influence is from the home. But even then none can force anyone to believe something that does not fit their values or sense of self.
A book alone cannot force someone to behave in a manner that contradicts their morals, and banning books will not eliminate the ideas and voices of the people who wrote them. The ideas are out there in the conversations young people have every day.
The world is a diverse place and eventually these innocent children will leave home and form their own moral code, sometimes despite what they may have been taught at home.
No one can protect their children from everything and that is a good thing. Children will need to be prepared to deal with a complicated world, and they can’t do that if they are shielded by fear and hate from ideas with which they disagree.
State rule looms over librarians
By Leslie Postal
Orlando Sentinel
Florida’s school librarians face new scrutiny, and even the threat of criminal prosecution, under new state rule adopted Wednesday that urges them to err on the side of caution when selecting books for their campuses.
The rule approved by the State Board of Education stems from a new 2022 state law pushed by republican leaders. Critics say it will have a chilling effect on the educators and will allow those with conservative views to dictate what books all Florida students can select for their schools
Ahead of the board’s vote, Orange County Superintendent Marla Vazquez said Tuesday that her district has called three books, all dealing with sex or sexual themes, from school libraries after reviewing the state’s new training for media specialists required under the new rule.
“Now that we have that.” she said,” the recommendation is those books be pulled.”
The Lake County school district said it has removed six novels because of concerns the books violated the new library law.
If Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed legislation, and the state board want to protect parental rights and freedom, “they will support policies and rules that allow parents to put restrictions on their own children while not limiting others,” said Stephana Ferrell, a founder of the Florida’s Freedom to Read Project, in a text.
The board’s action “will most certainly limit our student’s freedom to read,” added Ferrell, whose group opposes efforts to restrict or remove books from public schools.
Don’t ban books
Florida school librarians and teachers are subject to felony and possible jail time if their books choices are deemed inappropriate to Paul Burns, deputy chancellor for educational policy at The Florida Department of Education. Perhaps the Sentinel could research Burn’s educational background which qualifies him as an expert on appropriate literature.
In 1964, as an 11th grade English teacher, I assigned Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, as a book demonstrating literary genius. I suppose I would now face jail time, or dismissal according to Florida’s law or Moms for Liberty, which could demonstrate at my home with placards saying I was teaching my students a book they deem inappropriate for their sensitive students. Despite Steinbeck winning the Nobel Prize for literature, how delightful to live in a state where teachers are at the mercy of Florida law makers who probably haven’t read any of the books they are banning.
One morning two years ago, a kindergartener on his bus told New Jersey school bus driver Herman Cruse how sad he was that his parents had no time to help with reading assignments. The next week Cruse showed up at the 6-year-old’s classroom for a one-on-one reading lesson. “He read to me, I read to him, and we read together,” Cruse said. Other class-mates joined in, and before long, Cruse was helping over a dozen students. He’s kept it up, and has now begun tutoring first – and second graders, too. “Bus drivers are the eyes and ears of students when they’re away from home.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL Monday December 26, 2022
More High Schools
Now Embed Phonics
Brain science has shown that reading is not automatic, and longstanding research supports the need for sequences sound-it-out instruction, along with vocabulary and knowledge.
Since 2021, Tennessee and more than a dozen other states have passed laws or policies reshaping reading instruction, according to Education Week.
But reform has largely centered on the early years, kindergarten through third grade, and millions of students have already progressed beyond those grades without getting the full support that they needed.
Nationwide, two in three eighth graders are not reading with proficiency, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a rigorous exam overseen by the U.S. Education Department. Nearly one in three fall “below basic,” meaning they have not demonstrated even a partial mastery of the comprehension and analysis skills expected for their age.
Hello Sarah,
Well, our big day is about to begin. I look forward to seeing you and Tony tonight for dinner with Timothy Shanahan at 6pm. I don’t want to talk business in front of him, so I would like to share some important information for you.
- As you know we have gotten a good response from the media. The papers & TV both said to me to supply them with pictures and/or videos. Please note that they all said the photos they are interested in are only you with any guest VIPS that were mentioned in the Press Release and the Attorney who was not mentioned in the Press Release. You need to tell your staff taking photos about this so we can use these photos for the media which is the purpose of them. It is unfortunate that a lot of the press will not be at the Limo shot so you have to clue your crew in for the entire event.
- As you already know Attorney Ryan Munns will be bringing his own photographer, Allen Sansom, for the social media shots.
- Please ask your crew to start applause on Each Introduction of each Speaker coming up to speak. (And do applause at the end of Each Speaker’s presentation). *When Brooke Hill from Film Commission Office stands up in audience and waves, they should also applaud.
SHOOT NOTES
- Beth will have the Bookstore open by 7am- Jay & his crew will be there at 7am – Frank Walker will be there at 7am- as will myself & Adriane.
- It is imperative that everything is set up, the table and all things we discussed no later than 7:15am.
- Jay’s crew will be shooting the Table & Product Shot close-ups at 7:15am.
- Please be dressed and ready for the Limo shot by 8am. I can go over and rehearse the Reporter’s scene until the Limo arrives at 8:15am.
PLEASE REMEMBER UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE BATHROOM YOU MUST BE ON! Video Cameras & Photographers will be shooting all day everywhere! ALWAYS SMILE (the only time you don’t is in the bathroom)!
Unless I hear from you, I will see you at the Restaurant.
Ron
Yes, I am. a movie for all the family to enjoy!
The Children’s TV series will be based on The Travis the Tent books series, where the children have many magical adventures!
Yes, I won a coveted literary award and was published in Irelands Fish Anthology – for a short memoir I wrote.
I been a published author since 2007 and I write for adults as well in the genre of sci-fi fantasy!
Yes I have three children, Charlie, Joey and Samantha.
Yes, my children are the main characters in my children’s book series.
I’m so sorry I am not able to answer any more questions, I am on my way to our Travis the Tent Contest. We are celebrating our winner! You are welcome to join us, and of course all of you are invited.
The Travis the Tent Writing contest is open to children of all ages. Their entry is judged on Inspiration, Creativity and Imagination. The winner receives a trophy, gift cards from local restaurants, 500 cash prize, and the best part – 50 percent of the author royalties! My foundation receives the other 50 percent.
Now the winner of the Travis the Tent Writing Contest is…… Noah Fraguela!
I would like to thank our Kids Literacy Advocates for their generous support.
Hank Greenspan, cast member “Grover”, on the CBS Television Series “The Neighborhood”
Brooke Hill and The Orlando Film Commission
Beth Merrick of The Sunshine Book Company!
George Taylor
Director of the Lake County Library Services.
Steve Steiner Publisher of The News Leader
Dr. Russo & Dr. Jensen, of Clermont Pediatric Dentistry
Brenda E. Ferrari of The Family Adventure Guide Magazine.
Cindy Preston publisher of the Clermont Neighbors Magazine
Linda at the UPS Store at Kings Ridge
Ronnie Jordan of Independence RV
Steve from Applebee’s Restaurant
Outback Steakhouse
St. Matthias Episcopal Church