Are we doing elementary students a disservice by focusing on discrete skills over rich background knowledge when we teach #reading? Education writer Natalie Wexler weighs in.

@natwexler Co-sign! On our website, literacy experts detail six ELA curricula that fulfill the goals named in this article: build both strong foundational skills and build background knowledge from the earliest grades. See:

@natwexler Building the rich, varied background knowledge that students need to comprehend texts is a long game which requires deliberate intervention and a knowledge rich curriculum. It sits at the heart of everything we do.

@natwexler A lack of background knowledge results with inability to comprehend new information. Failure to expose children to science and social studies results in lower reading ability. Not to mention lack of character and leadership.