Eulexia Tutoring Blog
Look-Say, Whole Language, Balanced Literacy: A Parent's Guide to the Many Names for the Same Flawed Idea
From 'Look-Say' to 'Whole Language' to 'Balanced Literacy,' the names for reading instruction are constantly changing. But what if they are just different masks for the same flawed idea? We uncover the common thread that runs through these methods and explain why a focus on decoding is the only reliable path.
The Leveled Reader Trap: Is Your Child Learning to Read or Learning to Guess?
Those 'leveled readers' sent home from school may seem helpful, but their design often trains children to guess words from pictures rather than decode them. Discover why this common practice can hinder reading progress and how decodable readers provide a more effective, science-aligned path to literacy.
Decoding vs. Guessing: How to Spot Truly Effective Phonics Instruction
Pictures should support understanding, not replace reading the word! When kids rely on images instead of decoding letters (like /k/ /a/ /t/ for "cat"), true reading skills don't develop. Learn how to identify phonics programs that teach decoding, not guessing.