1.2 Reflection: Models of Reading and The Literacy Gap

Part 1: Models of Reading

1. Read and watch/listen to the following resources from Reading Rockets:
   • • Read if you need a refresher.
   •  (You can skip the “Other models of reading” section.)
     • An introduction to the most widely tested models of how children become skilled readers: the simple view of reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope.
     • Embedded in the article:
       • Video: The Simple View of Reading [11 min.] 
       • Video: Scarborough’s Reading Rope [1:30 min.] (Zaner-Bloser) 
   • • Learn about the typical stages we see in children as they become readers, from pre-K through high school. Literacy begins with a strong foundation in oral language comprehension and word recognition (decoding).
2. Write a Question-Comment-Connection (QCC) response that is at least 300 words and includes the following:
   • A Question prompted by the resources; this might be a discussion question for the class or a question about something you did not fully understand. Here, you should reference at least one specific part of the reading that has sparked this question. You can include a direct quote or a paraphrase, and the quote or paraphrase should be cited with the author/source’s name and page number if applicable.
   • A Comment on how some of the ideas presented in the resources have impacted your understanding of reading instruction. Here, you should describe the specific part(s) of the resources that changed your perspective, introduced an idea that was new to you, or challenged what you had previously thought.
   • A Connection to one or more of the ideas between the readings or to your own experience. Here, you should clarify which of the specific idea(s) from the resources you have chosen to respond to.

Part 2: The Literacy Gap

1. Watch/listen to 30 min., Education Week)
2. Respond to the following questions in approximately 250 words. Reference the resource to support your response.
   1. Why do so many students struggle with reading?
   2. What does the latest science say on how to teach reading?
   3. Why is there still debate about how to teach early reading?