Blogs
on August 22, 2025
Writing, a communicational pillar in human society, plays a crucial role in expressing thoughts, emotions, perspectives, and experiences. From crafting novels and informative articles to composing emails and texts, writing is an integral part of our daily interaction. The development of writing skills not only aids in communication but also fuels creativity, enhances cognitive development, and fosters academic and professional success.
Ultimately, it brings forward a crucial message for educators, parents and therapists that reading fluency is more than speed – it is crafting a seamless reading experience that boosts a child's confidence and enthusiasm towards reading, going a long way in their overall journey of knowledge acquisition. This can, in turn, lay the foundation for better academic and future life success, especially for students within special education settings.
Some students, whose reading speed had not significantly increased, also demonstrated a notable growth in the expression and smoothness of their oral reading. Considering Phoenix’s diverse student body, the strategy acknowledged and addressed specific individual difficulties, considering them beyond mere reading speed.
In the digital era, the role of technology within study skills should not be underplayed. Successful students integrated technology in learning, such as computer-assisted learning applications, digital flashcards, or cloud-based note-taking apps. The use of technology facilitated personalized learning and provided attractive alternative methods to traditional study techniques.
Interventions included guided oral reading, where a teacher would read along with a student while providing immediate corrective feedback, and repeated reading, requiring a student to read a specific word, sentence or passage several times. Reading comprehension games, fluency drills, and audio-assisted reading tools were also utilized.
Writing is the systematic representation of language in a physical medium. It's an instrumental part of education, starting from the foundational years and persisting through higher-level studies. It plays a significant role in showcasing cognitive development, emotional intelligence, language competency, and critical thinking skills. Academic writing requires meticulous research, organized thought process, suitable methodology, and analytical skills, supporting an individual's intellectual growth.
Moreover, the age of digital technology has transformed the process of writing and its mediums. Digital platforms offer innovative and convenient ways to write, publish, and reach readers directly. They have paved the way for new writing forms like blogs, vlogs, podcasts, etc. Despite this, the essence of writing, its objectives, and benefits remain unchanged.
Our observation was based on interactions over a semester, noting how students approached the varying nature of study tasks. We observed that successful students were not born smart but developed effective study skills that enhanced their understanding, retention, and application of knowledge.
The primary goal of 3rd-grade education is to improve students’ reading comprehension. Thus, finding suitable and effective materials to fulfill and enhance this goal is crucial. Platforms like ReadTheory, SuperTeacherWorksheets, and K5Learning offer a wide range of free, online reading comprehension passages specifically designed for 3rd graders.
A noteworthy case that illustrates the effectiveness of this solution is the Wheeler Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky. Faced with challenges related to various learning abilities among students, the school implemented online reading comprehension tools as part of their literacy development program.
The key to academic success often hinges upon effective study skills, paramount in the learning process. This study involved keen observation of students' study habits, providing insightful recommendations on cultivating effective study skills for improved academic proficiency.
Located in a multicultural neighborhood in Toronto, Phoenix Special Education School caters to learners with varying cognitive abilities aged 8-16 years, many of whom also have a documented reading disability.
The second study skill that thrusted students towards success was active learning. Instead of merely reading textbooks or class notes, it was observed that successful student interacts with the content they learn. Methods such as questioning the material, summarizing, or explaining in their own words were all ways they engaged interactively with the subject matter. These habits fostered critical thinking, enhancing their comprehension and assimilation of information.
Further, an interesting discovery was that successful students did not shy away from seeking help when needed. They actively participated in group discussions, engaged in peer study, and frequented mentor consultations. Such behavior compounded their understanding of subject matter while also fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility in their learning journey.