The Reading Instruction Straw Man Is Burning

 

The Science of Anecdotes and Metaphors by Paul Thomas

"Zero Phonics. This view claims that direct teaching is not necessary or even helpful. I am unaware of any professional who holds this position." Stephen Krashen (2017)

Read on Substack

Whole Brain Teaching, the Latest Lucrative Quackery for Repackaged Rote Learning

There is a respectable body of literature on brain-based learning, but it has nothing to do with the current testing factory craze, Whole Brain Teaching (WBT).  WBT represents the same centuries-old memorization and recitation techniques duct-taped to repeated displays of loud chanting and clapping, with some primitive behavior mod thrown to give this latest chain gang craze the thinnest veneer of science. 

If this were to be whole brain teaching, it would have to be for parrot brains or, perhaps, seal brains. The fact that people are actually buying this non-thinking approach to control their overstuffed classrooms while claiming students are "engaged" says more about the high stakes austerity era we live in than it does about any value of the growing array of vanity press publications that are making chief quack, Chris Biffle, a load of cash.  

Here is a link to a rare news analysis that examines this crackpot scheme.

This one is called Whole Brain Teaching: Critical Thinking.  See if you can find any critical thinking, class, class, class.