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Here’s a clear and focused explanation of Units of Study and why it has been considered essential, supported by examples:
Why Units of Study Was Considered Essential
Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study has been a cornerstone of literacy instruction in thousands of U.S. schools, widely praised for its emphasis on fostering a love for reading and writing. Here’s why it gained prominence and examples of its impact:
1. Emphasis on Student-Centered Learning
- Units of Study encourages children to see themselves as readers and writers, building intrinsic motivation.
- Example: Instead of rote memorization or drills, students in Units of Study classrooms often explore books they choose themselves, sparking personal interest in reading. A child who loves animals might read books about wildlife, creating a meaningful connection to literacy.
2. Focus on Writing Workshops
- Calkins’ curriculum introduced a workshop model where students actively write, revise, and share their work.
- Example: A teacher might guide students through crafting a personal narrative, helping them brainstorm ideas, draft their stories, and polish them into finished pieces. This process fosters creativity and self-expression.
3. Balance Between Skill and Joy
- Calkins argued that technical skills like grammar and spelling should support, not overshadow, the enjoyment of reading and writing.
- Example: In classrooms using Units of Study, students might learn punctuation rules in the context of editing their stories, making the lessons more engaging and practical.
4. Teacher Empowerment
- The curriculum provides teachers with flexible resources to adapt lessons to their students’ needs, rather than enforcing rigid scripts.
- Example: A teacher in a bilingual classroom might tailor Units of Study to support English learners, incorporating vocabulary exercises alongside storytelling.
5. Integration into Major School Systems
- The curriculum was adopted widely, particularly in New York City public schools, setting a model for others.
- Example: NYC schools saw Units of Study as a solution to improve literacy in diverse classrooms, using its methods to inspire reluctant readers and writers.
Criticism and the Changing Landscape
While Units of Study has faced scrutiny for its limited focus on phonics, its core principles—emphasizing the joy of learning and empowering teachers—remain influential. Supporters argue that striking a balance between its strengths and science-backed strategies like phonics could preserve its value in literacy education.
This focuses on Units of Study’s practical applications and why it became essential in education, with concrete examples for clarity.
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Education: How One Woman Became the Scapegoat for America’s Reading Crisis
Lucy Calkins was an education superstar. Now she’s cast as the reason a generation of students struggles to read. Can she reclaim her good name?
By Helen Lewis
Photographs by Jeff Brown for The Atlantic
November 13, 2024
A Legacy of Educational Influence
Until a couple of years ago, Lucy Calkins was revered by American teachers and parents alike. Her curriculum, Units of Study, was widely adopted in thousands of U.S. schools to teach children reading and writing. Two decades ago, her core philosophy—that children learn best when they love reading, and that teachers should inspire that love—became the foundation of New York City’s public school curriculum.
Her influence extended far beyond NYC through her institute at Columbia University’s Teachers College and her publisher’s teaching materials. For many educators, using her methods was synonymous with “teaching Lucy.”
Mounting Criticism and the Fall from Grace
However, at 72, Calkins faces mounting criticism that threatens to undo her life’s work. A 2020 report by a nonprofit described Units of Study as “beautifully crafted” but “unlikely to lead to literacy success for all of America’s public schoolchildren.”
This criticism became louder after the release of the 2022 American Public Media podcast, Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong. Reporter Emily Hanford accused Calkins of contributing to a widespread reading crisis in America.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, conducted by the Department of Education, roughly one-third of fourth and eighth graders were unable to read at a “basic” level for their age in 2022. Sold a Story attributed part of the crisis to an unscientific idea embedded in Calkins' approach—that early readers didn’t need to sound out words.
The Debate Over Cueing vs. Phonics
Calkins' methods encouraged children to rely on the “cueing” system, where they deduce words using context clues, first letters, or illustrations instead of phonics-based decoding (e.g., breaking “cat” into cuh-ah-tuh). Critics argue this system left many children struggling and frustrated, with poor literacy outcomes.
Hanford contended that teachers’ reliance on this method hindered progress in addressing America's literacy challenges.
Can Lucy Calkins Reclaim Her Legacy?
With her reputation tarnished and her curriculum under fire, Calkins finds herself at a crossroads. As education reform discussions intensify, the question remains: Can she adapt her approach and reclaim her status as a pioneer in literacy education?
