Seeking Middle Ground: Exploring Running Records During the "Reading Wars"

What is it about?

Responding to ongoing debate of the "right" way to teach reading, this article responds to recent critique of Running Records, a reading assessment that examines reading through the lens of a three-cueing system. The author points to how Running Records can be used to inform reading instruction that addresses students word recognition and language comprehension. Tools to assist reading teachers identify signposts of reading behaviour and link them to instructional moves are included.

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Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

Why is it important?

As debates between different camps of reading theories become more authoritative and dismissive of one another, holding a middle-ground perspective may be important for both teachers and policy-makers. The article provides a compromising perspective and research supporting such a stance to assist schools and literacy professionals navigate ongoing discussion.