Reading and the Brain A User’s Guide Grades 3-12 Developed by Ida Hatley, Judith Lerner, and Sara Buckerfield

Why am I here? Shouldn’t I already know how to read by now? How can I be smart and still have a hard time with reading? Why is it twice as long as a regular English class? Why does the teacher want me to read the same words over and over? Why do some of the activities seem like they’re for little kids? Why should I do it? Has anyone with a big reading problem ever been a success?

You are not alone. About one in every four students in middle school and high school has a difficult time reading and understanding their books.

Scientists have been working to understand why some students can’t read well. Cambium Learning, Inc.

In the old days people figured out what different parts of the brain did by using a system like this. (actually I just thought it was a really cool picture. I’m not sure what they are really studying) Cambium Learning, Inc.

Cambium Learning, Inc.

This is an fMRI machine. Scientists use it to see how the brains of different people work when they are reading. Cambium Learning, Inc.

The test doesn’t hurt and there are no needles or side effects. Cambium Learning, Inc.

This is an fMRI image of the brain of a good reader reading words This is an fMRI image of the brain of a good reader reading words. Arrows point to the red parts of the brain that are working the hardest. Cambium Learning, Inc.

Because of the new fMRI technology, scientists have discovered that the brains of struggling readers and the brains of strong readers work differently. Cambium Learning, Inc.

These differences DO NOT have anything to do with intelligence or a hole or defect in the structure of the brain. Cambium Learning, Inc.

The brains of good readers and struggling readers both look structurally normal. The differences are in the way the brain communicates. Cambium Learning, Inc.

The next slides are not of fMRI images--instead they’re really Warning! The next slides are not of fMRI images--instead they’re really actual human brains! Cambium Learning, Inc.

These parts are working when a good reader is reading: word analysis area word analysis area word form area Cambium Learning, Inc.

This part is doing most of the work when a struggling reader is reading: word analysis area Cambium Learning, Inc.

The wrong part of the brain tries to do the job of reading. Furthermore, struggling readers use different circuits and pathways to read. The wrong part of the brain tries to do the job of reading. So it takes the person much longer to read! After we see or hear a word, the rest of the brain gets involved. What are we doing? Making connections in the brain! Cambium Learning, Inc.

Struggling Readers Checklist Reading is hard and rarely fun. Spelling is terrible. Handwriting might be sloppy. Answering the questions after you read is really difficult. Reading out loud in class is your worse nightmare. What’s a student to do? Cambium Learning, Inc.

The same way you practice to: learn a dance move kick a soccer ball PRACTICE READING! fMRI brain images show that the brain learns by practicing. It can actually get “rewired”! The same way you practice to: learn a dance move kick a soccer ball play a musical instrument shoot a basketball Cambium Learning, Inc.

So roll up your sleeves and get to work! With the right intervention class and practice, your brain begins working— all the right parts! So roll up your sleeves and get to work! Cambium Learning, Inc.

And Remember to Hug Your Teacher! “Teachers can do what neurosurgeons cannot by causing neural systems to become altered and more effective by the correct application of evidence-based intervention programs.” --Sally Shaywitz, M.D Spring, 2006 Cambium Learning, Inc.

What are the parts of the Language! reading program? Cambium Learning, Inc.

Watch Phonemic Awareness in Action: Recognition of sounds in words Manipulation of sounds in words Even in high school, phonemic awareness must be present for a student to read well. Watch Phonemic Awareness in Action: www.teachlanguage.com/PA_drills/ Password: language Cambium Learning, Inc.

Phonics The link between the sound and the letter. Failure to understand the link between sound and letter is the most robust predictor of reading failure. Cambium Learning, Inc.

Decoding The ability to sound out words Allows a person to read any unfamiliar word, not only words that have been memorized. Note: The brain can not hold in memory all of the words in English. Cambium Learning, Inc.

Fluency Training Speed Matters! Fluency is the speed and accuracy in which you read. To improve in fluency you have to practice….A LOT! Speed Matters! Cambium Learning, Inc.

More parts of LANGUAGE! Spelling Vocabulary Grammar Reading Comprehension Speaking Writing Cambium Learning, Inc.

That’s a lot of activities. that’s why Language That’s a lot of activities...that’s why Language! takes up so much of your school time every day. Cambium Learning, Inc.

There are lots of famous and successful people who have struggled with reading. You might have heard of some of them... Cambium Learning, Inc.

Albert Einstein: Regarded as the most important scientist of the 20th century Cambium Learning, Inc.

Thomas Edison: American inventor and businessman Cambium Learning, Inc.

Nelson Rockefeller: Businessman, Governor of New York and Vice-President of the United States Cambium Learning, Inc.

Pablo Picasso: Artist Cambium Learning, Inc.

Edward James Olmos: Actor Cambium Learning, Inc.

Magic Johnson: Basketball superstar Cambium Learning, Inc.

Carl Lewis: Track and field athlete Cambium Learning, Inc.

John Lennon: Singer for The Beatles Cambium Learning, Inc.

Whoopi Goldberg: Actress and comedian Cambium Learning, Inc.

Jewel: Singer and poet Cambium Learning, Inc.

Tom Cruise: Film actor and producer Cambium Learning, Inc.

Jay Leno: Comedian Cambium Learning, Inc.

Dav Pilkey: Children’s book author Cambium Learning, Inc.

You WILL learn to be a better reader You WILL learn to be a better reader! You can get there—it just takes longer. Language! will help. Cambium Learning, Inc.

References Shaywitz, S. (2003). Overcoming dyslexia: A new and complete science-based program for reading problems at any level. New York: Random House. Wolfe, P. & Nevills, P. (2004). Building the reading brain, preK-3. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press. Greene, J.F. (2005) LANGUAGE! The Comprehensive Literacy Curriculum. Longmont, Colorado: Sopris West. Cambium Learning, Inc.