Wow. Other considerations, however. Parents reading to children, each evening before sleep. Stories way beyond the child's actual reading level. Cultivating an aspiration for story. I would read Dickens Tale of Two Cities to my 12 year old. She could have read it herself with difficulty but I think I brought it to life for her. I'm trying to get this across to parents right now. Read good books to your child not the drivel they bring home to 'read'. Children imitate. They will aspire to read if they see you do it.
I read the complete Lord of the Rings to my kids over a few months. Parts of this has advanced and somewhat arcane language. They loved it and still talk about it in their late 20s. Tale of Two Cities is a great choice too. The rhythms are great for performing.
I have indeed used that extraordinary first page (It was the best of times. It was the worst of times) to explore in the movement art of Eurythmy with 12 year olds.
I would also point to the rise of cartoons as critical to the degradation of reading skills. Cartoon as crutch to incapacitate individual use of imagination.
Back in 1984, I read Jim Trelease’s “Read Aloud Handbook” and promptly turned off the TV for our 6 & 4 year old boys. When he wrote that his family had a melt down style reaction for 3 MONTHS, I knew I’d better get busy. I loved reading aloud books way above their level to keep it fun for me: all of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Swiss Family Robinson ... Great snuggle times and a lot of my time, but great for vocabulary and other discussions. Nice to hear others have done this , too!
I so remember denying literary gratification. Closing the book with a huddle of children squealing "Don't stop!" and calmly announcing they would have to wait till tomorrow to find out!
Yes, that was in Dr. Tenpenny's letter today. I could not find the original source on her substack so since she did not say that was her original writing and did not give a source I thought it would be OK to pass the laugh on. I retyped it.
Your Thanksgiving missive is old enough to be firmly in the public domain. It really requires no credit. Enjoyable to see it again nonetheless, Dachsie.
This has been a pet peeve of mine for decades. I recognized when my daughter, now 53, was in grade school, that she was not expected to be successful. I don’t have time to describe the battles I had with her teachers. I knew she was intelligent, and I pushed her to be the best she could be at everything.
Today, where the major, sometimes only, form of communication is written, the very poor spelling and grammar used by younger people is heartbreaking. If you dare to correct them you will be ostracized. They are taught that these things are not important. I just ordered a t-shirt that says “I am subconsciously correcting your grammar”.
I was a victim of what we called in Canada WHOLE LANGUAGE during the 1960's/70's. I am embarrassed at how bad my reading, spelling, grammar was. Then I had children of my own that were in the popular FRENCH IMMERSION program. By grade 3 my son had what could be described as FRENGLISH. He simply could not read in either language. Again, WHOLE LANGUAGE was on tap, and there were many kids struggling. Luckily, I was directed to a book called THE WRITING ROAD TO READING. It taught phonetics. Imagine my surprise at MY OWN vast improvement in reading skills as I tutored my son. He is now a lawyer, and has excellent reading skills. He did though always feel there was SOMETHING WRONG with him because he was not able to catch on to reading in the earlier grades. After this experience I also tutored my younger son before he even reached school. He sailed through reading. I highly recommend that book to parents.
I’m so excited to read this substack and the comments as I’m starting to understand what happened to me. I hated school because I was a terrible speller and slow reader and horrified that I might have to read aloud. In elementary school I would have to go to the remedial reading groups and you could always tell who we were and where we were going. I still struggle but am improving. A couple of years ago I started having my Bible app read at 75% sped so I could read with it while riding my stationary bike. It’s helped a lot but I’m wondering if the book above The writing road to reading might help also. Open to any other suggestions at 58 years old.
Nov 23, 2023·edited Nov 23, 2023Liked by Robert Yoho MD (ret)
Here is a nice article about the important book, Why Johnny Can't Read, by Rudolf Flesch.
_____
January 24, 2015
Whatever Happened to Phonics?
By Bruce Deitrick Price
"One of the most important books in America’s intellectual history, Why Johnny Can't Read, by Rudolf Flesch, was published 60 years ago in 1955. This book sold 8 million copies, was the talk of the country, and explained why children need phonics to become successful readers. SNIP"
_________
There has been an intentional effort to destroy education and destroy children's ability to read and to enjoy reading. "It is arguably one of the greatest tragedies the country suffered in the 20th century. "
______________
Just in case some do not know what phonics is, I will give my simple understanding of this way of teaching reading. I was probably the last of the late pre-baby boomer generation to have been taught with this method.
In phonics, the emphasis in on the alphabet and the sounds (phonetics) of different letter combinations with much emphasis on vowel sounds, and when, for example, you know when to pronounce an " a" with the long a sound or the short "a" sound. When encountering a new word in your reading, you are encouraged to "sound it out" and to be very supportive of the child while they are at first learning the code. Once you pick up the code, you read with ease and enjoyment. If something happens so that the child does not "click" in learning, getting the code, many doors are closed from then on in the later education and career pathways in later life.
In middle school, our band teacher was sneaky. At the beginning of class he had us stand up and march in place to a metronome, while saying the order of flats, order of sharps, order of flat keys, order of sharp keys. He had a chart we were reading off of, so it wasn't hard, but I am sure 95% of the class didn't really know WHY he had us do that, or even what those recitations meant. Fast forward 25 years later, I started doing some simple song arranging, and had a huge moment, realizing I knew exactly what I needed to know, in terms of music keys, the knowledge sitting there in the back of my brain, waiting to be used. It blew my mind, and made me love that teacher x10.
Great article! It explains a lot in regards to the dummying down of 20+-year-olds that have graduated from school but know very little about even their own country.
I believe it was just a scam - maybe some were able to improve with some tips - the question was how much could you actually retain. I think my Dad tried it for law school and quickly learned it did not help. Most folks would love to be able to read faster. I for one would love to complete my taxes in the estimated time to complete -provided by the IRS on those tax forms (which is actually not only incorrect but cruel) . One article on her program - see https://nypost.com/2019/09/21/how-a-mormon-housewife-sold-america-the-big-speed-reading-scam/
"Biederman isn’t surprised. She points to a 1967 Evelyn Wood ad that asked, “Has the new man already tried out your desk?”
“Eliminate the gender reference,” she says, “and that fear is as relevant as ever.”
Someone help me with this last part. I'm completely NOT comprehending, no matter how slow I read it! 😒 Maybe seeing the actual ad might help.
Is it referring to being threatened with job loss because someone (a man) might read faster than you?
While trying to maybe find that ad on the interwebs, I ran across these glowing articles, that perpetuate the EW Speed Reading lies in 1995, and again in 2019. I noticed, too, that Woods and he Speed Reading is included in the encyclopedia Brittanica. Notice THAT Brittanica entry has been FACT CHECKED!!🤣🤣 The 2nd article is paywalled but you can read enough to get the idea the author is miffed at Woods' speed reading methods were a scam.
As a child, everything Geisel (Dr. Seuss) upset me a great deal. So did Sesame Street. I wasn’t sure of the reasons, I just hated all of their productions, and was punished quite often by teachers for not being able to explain why I destroyed their books. I used to draw huge tits and genitalia on the characters or tear the paper off crayons, drop them on edges and color out entire pages in the school libraries—first grade through middle school. I never did that with any of the other books, though I did draw animated cartoons in the corners of all my worthless texts books, usually of dinosaurs 🦖 eating teachers or students I didn’t like.
Guess what skyrocketing transgender sex identity issues, myocarditis, turbo cancers, autism, and declining mental health all have in common? Clue: It’s got nothing to do with God, Mother Nature, the Devil, China, Iran, Russia or Space Aliens. Only those who still wear face masks and are lined up for their sixth Vaxx booster, or more, are allowed to reply.
Love reading your stack, Dr Yoho! Although, I don't think we should throw out the Dewey Decimal system from our libraries, I was astounded when I read one of his very early papers in which he openly questioned whether 'we' should allow 'Negroes' to have an education, to elementary school, or middle school, or high school, or god forbid college! He was not only a racist but also a eugenicist. So many of those bastards were, including Bill Gates' father (gosh, I wonder where son Gates got his philo-psychopathic tendencies....James Corbett does a fantastic 2-part series on that, btw.) Thanks for this essay...I grew up with Dick and Jane in first grade, and thought they were stupid stories, but admittedly loved Cat in the Hat , One Fish, Two Fish, and Green Eggs and Ham....silly. But by high school I was reading Stendhal and Kafka and I'm still quite a bibliophile...So it did not ruin my reading or writing long-term. But you are correct...my college level students still print like third graders, have virtually no critical thinking skills, and can't write full sentences. And, hey...I highly DOUBT that anyone in the biology department has ever even read Darwin or would even be able to follow his paragraph-long sentences. (And no, he did NOT say that humans evolved from monkeys.)
Tell me more, Grammy! Where can I find that info? We've been hoodwinked for centuries. I know Pasteur was a liar and thief.... Rude awakening on that over ten years ago. What's the scoop on Darwin? I learn from all of you in the comments, too. 🙏
I watched a couple of documentaries several months ago about his family, him and his supposed "accomplishments". The idea of "evolution" actually started with his grandfather, Erasmus. Erasmus belonged to the Lunar Society, another group of elitists who met periodically to discuss how they could solve the world's problems. They were all eugenists, with a lot of familial inbreeding -Charles married his first cousin. I can't remember all the specifics but supposedly Charles was pretty much a young, rich, spoiled slacker, so his family financed his travels for him to "go DO SOMETHING!" with his life. The documentaries said a lot of his "discoveries or observations" were completely fabricated. I'll see if I can find those videos again.
Nov 24, 2023·edited Nov 24, 2023Liked by Robert Yoho MD (ret)
Thank you! I knew about Erasmus, but some of the other is new...i knew his family sent him off, but not the details! Yes, would appreciate if you could for and the source!!!
Sandy, this is Arnie, who wrote the Dick and Jane piece. I have a lot of info about Darwinism and will be doing a post. You're welcome to write to me at arnie1815@proton.me
Good read and recap. Read Jeckyl Island almost 2 decades ago. He woke me up to the ruling elite and their method of power and control. Modern banking. Reading Carrol Quigley, Tragedy and Hope now. Apparently, he was an insider and a globalist.
What you and others here have written is my lived experience. So soothing to read it spoken of with such understanding and respect. The Rothschild quote is chilling .
Phonics is "the beans" (that's what we did) but I'll beg "ta" differ with ya 'bout Dick & Jane AND Dr. Seuss too as both series are totally appropriate for 3 year olds. I taught both my homeschooled kiddos that way... IN THREE WEEKS flat (not braggin'--just a matter of knowin' what to do--each took 3 weeks of daily practice to master both of the above authors). All of their works were wholesome and in the latter funny & whimsical. Illustrations charming to boot! Older one is reading Umberto Eco on her own, younger one is gettin' A's in college--she's just 15. Both lifelong readers. This, imho, Seuss, Dick & Jane (vintage copies) AND Tom, Betty & Susan are all GREAT "primers" for 3 year olds learning phonics! (I do write in the vernacular on substack but I know a thing " ' er" to about "Fun with Dick & Jane" -- we had it!)
Wow. Other considerations, however. Parents reading to children, each evening before sleep. Stories way beyond the child's actual reading level. Cultivating an aspiration for story. I would read Dickens Tale of Two Cities to my 12 year old. She could have read it herself with difficulty but I think I brought it to life for her. I'm trying to get this across to parents right now. Read good books to your child not the drivel they bring home to 'read'. Children imitate. They will aspire to read if they see you do it.
I read the complete Lord of the Rings to my kids over a few months. Parts of this has advanced and somewhat arcane language. They loved it and still talk about it in their late 20s. Tale of Two Cities is a great choice too. The rhythms are great for performing.
I have indeed used that extraordinary first page (It was the best of times. It was the worst of times) to explore in the movement art of Eurythmy with 12 year olds.
I would also point to the rise of cartoons as critical to the degradation of reading skills. Cartoon as crutch to incapacitate individual use of imagination.
Back in 1984, I read Jim Trelease’s “Read Aloud Handbook” and promptly turned off the TV for our 6 & 4 year old boys. When he wrote that his family had a melt down style reaction for 3 MONTHS, I knew I’d better get busy. I loved reading aloud books way above their level to keep it fun for me: all of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Swiss Family Robinson ... Great snuggle times and a lot of my time, but great for vocabulary and other discussions. Nice to hear others have done this , too!
I so remember denying literary gratification. Closing the book with a huddle of children squealing "Don't stop!" and calmly announcing they would have to wait till tomorrow to find out!
Oh, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving.
HOW TO COOK A TURKEY
Step 1. Buy a turkey
Step 2. Have a glass of wine
Step 3. Stuff turkey
Step 4. Have a glass of wine
Step 5. Put turkey in over
Step 6. Relax and have a glass of wine
Step 7. Turk the bastey
Step 8. Wine of glass another get
Step 9. Hunt for meat thermometer
Step 10. Glass yourself another pour of wine
Step 11. Bake the wine for four hours
Step 12. Take the oven out of the turkey
Step 13. Tet the sable
Step 14. Grab another wottle of bine
Step 15. Turk the carvey
Well heck, I guess the family did get it right yesterday.
This was copied from Dr. Sherri Tenpenny's Substack today. Why not give credit where credit is due?
Yes, that was in Dr. Tenpenny's letter today. I could not find the original source on her substack so since she did not say that was her original writing and did not give a source I thought it would be OK to pass the laugh on. I retyped it.
I did find this jpg.
https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/60d4829f-53fb-46dd-a903-530b8b4fca09_581x622.jpeg
It looks like a public image from amazon news.
Your Thanksgiving missive is old enough to be firmly in the public domain. It really requires no credit. Enjoyable to see it again nonetheless, Dachsie.
😆😆😆😆😆
This has been a pet peeve of mine for decades. I recognized when my daughter, now 53, was in grade school, that she was not expected to be successful. I don’t have time to describe the battles I had with her teachers. I knew she was intelligent, and I pushed her to be the best she could be at everything.
Today, where the major, sometimes only, form of communication is written, the very poor spelling and grammar used by younger people is heartbreaking. If you dare to correct them you will be ostracized. They are taught that these things are not important. I just ordered a t-shirt that says “I am subconsciously correcting your grammar”.
Just smiled for the first time in a while! Thank you.
So true!!
I was a victim of what we called in Canada WHOLE LANGUAGE during the 1960's/70's. I am embarrassed at how bad my reading, spelling, grammar was. Then I had children of my own that were in the popular FRENCH IMMERSION program. By grade 3 my son had what could be described as FRENGLISH. He simply could not read in either language. Again, WHOLE LANGUAGE was on tap, and there were many kids struggling. Luckily, I was directed to a book called THE WRITING ROAD TO READING. It taught phonetics. Imagine my surprise at MY OWN vast improvement in reading skills as I tutored my son. He is now a lawyer, and has excellent reading skills. He did though always feel there was SOMETHING WRONG with him because he was not able to catch on to reading in the earlier grades. After this experience I also tutored my younger son before he even reached school. He sailed through reading. I highly recommend that book to parents.
The magnificent wonder of parents who are able and willing to care.
I’m wondering if I need to find an older copy of the book as the later editions might have been tampered with and less effective.
I’m so excited to read this substack and the comments as I’m starting to understand what happened to me. I hated school because I was a terrible speller and slow reader and horrified that I might have to read aloud. In elementary school I would have to go to the remedial reading groups and you could always tell who we were and where we were going. I still struggle but am improving. A couple of years ago I started having my Bible app read at 75% sped so I could read with it while riding my stationary bike. It’s helped a lot but I’m wondering if the book above The writing road to reading might help also. Open to any other suggestions at 58 years old.
you are a young chicken and should figure it out
Here is a nice article about the important book, Why Johnny Can't Read, by Rudolf Flesch.
_____
January 24, 2015
Whatever Happened to Phonics?
By Bruce Deitrick Price
"One of the most important books in America’s intellectual history, Why Johnny Can't Read, by Rudolf Flesch, was published 60 years ago in 1955. This book sold 8 million copies, was the talk of the country, and explained why children need phonics to become successful readers. SNIP"
_________
There has been an intentional effort to destroy education and destroy children's ability to read and to enjoy reading. "It is arguably one of the greatest tragedies the country suffered in the 20th century. "
______________
Just in case some do not know what phonics is, I will give my simple understanding of this way of teaching reading. I was probably the last of the late pre-baby boomer generation to have been taught with this method.
In phonics, the emphasis in on the alphabet and the sounds (phonetics) of different letter combinations with much emphasis on vowel sounds, and when, for example, you know when to pronounce an " a" with the long a sound or the short "a" sound. When encountering a new word in your reading, you are encouraged to "sound it out" and to be very supportive of the child while they are at first learning the code. Once you pick up the code, you read with ease and enjoyment. If something happens so that the child does not "click" in learning, getting the code, many doors are closed from then on in the later education and career pathways in later life.
I have to be sure my grandchildren are exposed to this.
From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss.
In middle school, our band teacher was sneaky. At the beginning of class he had us stand up and march in place to a metronome, while saying the order of flats, order of sharps, order of flat keys, order of sharp keys. He had a chart we were reading off of, so it wasn't hard, but I am sure 95% of the class didn't really know WHY he had us do that, or even what those recitations meant. Fast forward 25 years later, I started doing some simple song arranging, and had a huge moment, realizing I knew exactly what I needed to know, in terms of music keys, the knowledge sitting there in the back of my brain, waiting to be used. It blew my mind, and made me love that teacher x10.
The absolute blessing of having a teacher who is both kind and smart.
Great post!
Honestly not something I have thought about.
But reading your post, helped me understand how so many people are... functionally illiterate...
I'm 70, and remember phonics.
In middle school, I met a chap straight off the boat from Scotland, Chuck (Charles) Lakin.
He introduced me to "Oor Wullie", and I found it fascinating, trying to figure out what "I ken whit to do!" actually meant.
Written as expressed.
Great article! It explains a lot in regards to the dummying down of 20+-year-olds that have graduated from school but know very little about even their own country.
Remember the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading Scam?
I fell for that, what was wrong? I never was any good at it though.
I believe it was just a scam - maybe some were able to improve with some tips - the question was how much could you actually retain. I think my Dad tried it for law school and quickly learned it did not help. Most folks would love to be able to read faster. I for one would love to complete my taxes in the estimated time to complete -provided by the IRS on those tax forms (which is actually not only incorrect but cruel) . One article on her program - see https://nypost.com/2019/09/21/how-a-mormon-housewife-sold-america-the-big-speed-reading-scam/
"Biederman isn’t surprised. She points to a 1967 Evelyn Wood ad that asked, “Has the new man already tried out your desk?”
“Eliminate the gender reference,” she says, “and that fear is as relevant as ever.”
Someone help me with this last part. I'm completely NOT comprehending, no matter how slow I read it! 😒 Maybe seeing the actual ad might help.
Is it referring to being threatened with job loss because someone (a man) might read faster than you?
While trying to maybe find that ad on the interwebs, I ran across these glowing articles, that perpetuate the EW Speed Reading lies in 1995, and again in 2019. I noticed, too, that Woods and he Speed Reading is included in the encyclopedia Brittanica. Notice THAT Brittanica entry has been FACT CHECKED!!🤣🤣 The 2nd article is paywalled but you can read enough to get the idea the author is miffed at Woods' speed reading methods were a scam.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-31-mn-40830-story.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/evelyn-woods-speed-read-course-helped-me-a-lot-11572372555
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Evelyn-Wood
I think it was the threat of job loss Fear that someone else might get there ahead of you - i guess. As a note Dr. Malone puts out Friday funnies - there is a cows are dumb video at the end - reminded me of the focus of this column it could have been written by Dr. Seuss . https://rwmalonemd.substack.com/p/friday-funnies-cows-are-dumb?publication_id=583200&post_id=138224687&isFreemail=false&r=r91bi&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Jesus
Phonics is so the way to teach reading! Nuts to do anything else!!! I taught my 2 year old brother that way and could read at 11 months
As a child, everything Geisel (Dr. Seuss) upset me a great deal. So did Sesame Street. I wasn’t sure of the reasons, I just hated all of their productions, and was punished quite often by teachers for not being able to explain why I destroyed their books. I used to draw huge tits and genitalia on the characters or tear the paper off crayons, drop them on edges and color out entire pages in the school libraries—first grade through middle school. I never did that with any of the other books, though I did draw animated cartoons in the corners of all my worthless texts books, usually of dinosaurs 🦖 eating teachers or students I didn’t like.
Guess what skyrocketing transgender sex identity issues, myocarditis, turbo cancers, autism, and declining mental health all have in common? Clue: It’s got nothing to do with God, Mother Nature, the Devil, China, Iran, Russia or Space Aliens. Only those who still wear face masks and are lined up for their sixth Vaxx booster, or more, are allowed to reply.
Love reading your stack, Dr Yoho! Although, I don't think we should throw out the Dewey Decimal system from our libraries, I was astounded when I read one of his very early papers in which he openly questioned whether 'we' should allow 'Negroes' to have an education, to elementary school, or middle school, or high school, or god forbid college! He was not only a racist but also a eugenicist. So many of those bastards were, including Bill Gates' father (gosh, I wonder where son Gates got his philo-psychopathic tendencies....James Corbett does a fantastic 2-part series on that, btw.) Thanks for this essay...I grew up with Dick and Jane in first grade, and thought they were stupid stories, but admittedly loved Cat in the Hat , One Fish, Two Fish, and Green Eggs and Ham....silly. But by high school I was reading Stendhal and Kafka and I'm still quite a bibliophile...So it did not ruin my reading or writing long-term. But you are correct...my college level students still print like third graders, have virtually no critical thinking skills, and can't write full sentences. And, hey...I highly DOUBT that anyone in the biology department has ever even read Darwin or would even be able to follow his paragraph-long sentences. (And no, he did NOT say that humans evolved from monkeys.)
Darwin wasn't really who were were taught he was. Just another part of "The Family", if you will.
Tell me more, Grammy! Where can I find that info? We've been hoodwinked for centuries. I know Pasteur was a liar and thief.... Rude awakening on that over ten years ago. What's the scoop on Darwin? I learn from all of you in the comments, too. 🙏
I watched a couple of documentaries several months ago about his family, him and his supposed "accomplishments". The idea of "evolution" actually started with his grandfather, Erasmus. Erasmus belonged to the Lunar Society, another group of elitists who met periodically to discuss how they could solve the world's problems. They were all eugenists, with a lot of familial inbreeding -Charles married his first cousin. I can't remember all the specifics but supposedly Charles was pretty much a young, rich, spoiled slacker, so his family financed his travels for him to "go DO SOMETHING!" with his life. The documentaries said a lot of his "discoveries or observations" were completely fabricated. I'll see if I can find those videos again.
Thank you! I knew about Erasmus, but some of the other is new...i knew his family sent him off, but not the details! Yes, would appreciate if you could for and the source!!!
Sandy, this is Arnie, who wrote the Dick and Jane piece. I have a lot of info about Darwinism and will be doing a post. You're welcome to write to me at arnie1815@proton.me
I'll drop you a note, Arnie! Looking forward to that post, too.
Good read and recap. Read Jeckyl Island almost 2 decades ago. He woke me up to the ruling elite and their method of power and control. Modern banking. Reading Carrol Quigley, Tragedy and Hope now. Apparently, he was an insider and a globalist.
What you and others here have written is my lived experience. So soothing to read it spoken of with such understanding and respect. The Rothschild quote is chilling .
Sorry I meant Rockefeller 😂
alligators, crocodiles what's the difference?
I was about to say, I don’t understand and then I did 😂. Thank you.
Phonics is "the beans" (that's what we did) but I'll beg "ta" differ with ya 'bout Dick & Jane AND Dr. Seuss too as both series are totally appropriate for 3 year olds. I taught both my homeschooled kiddos that way... IN THREE WEEKS flat (not braggin'--just a matter of knowin' what to do--each took 3 weeks of daily practice to master both of the above authors). All of their works were wholesome and in the latter funny & whimsical. Illustrations charming to boot! Older one is reading Umberto Eco on her own, younger one is gettin' A's in college--she's just 15. Both lifelong readers. This, imho, Seuss, Dick & Jane (vintage copies) AND Tom, Betty & Susan are all GREAT "primers" for 3 year olds learning phonics! (I do write in the vernacular on substack but I know a thing " ' er" to about "Fun with Dick & Jane" -- we had it!)
Disagree but that's what comments are for.