Maybe I read too many technology and political blogs, where respondents can't resist telling those who disagree what idiots they are, but while my goal here is to encourage competing points of view that allow teachers to pick and choose what works for them, I'd encourage everyone to be as civil as possible.

I'm pleased to say that I get regular requests from both teachers and students about what might be a good way to master specific skills and concepts. While I always reply to those requests and will continue to do so, I'd also like to use this blog to identify various strategies for teaching reading and writing, all of which I have found to be particularly fruitful in what has been a rather long career. My hope is that both teachers and instructors will respond in kind and explain, in concrete terms, what works and doesn't work for them.