I had a thought after reading the article “UFT, special ed advocates call for better reading instruction” [Dec. 4]: Teach kids to read by going back to the basics. How did you learn to read? With a book. Stop investing in fancy reading programs that do what anyone can do. Teach the kids phonics with a mix of sight words.

Why not have the class read a book together, so that the teacher reads with the child, models reading, reviews vocabulary and is able to know what the child is reading? Aren’t those techniques that have been used effectively for centuries?

Tamara Birkbeck, Mott Hall Community School, the Bronx
(via Facebook)