Hal W. Lanse, Ph.D., is a premiere teacher trainer in New York City, specializing in middle-grade and young-adult literacy. He is the winner of the 1997 Frank W. Dilley Award, Walden University's annual prize for outstanding doctoral dissertation. Dr. Lanse, a literacy specialist, trains teachers in current literacy research and shows them how to turn the research into daily classroom practice. He has also taught many parent workshops for the United Federation of Teachers. Lanse lives with his son, Kenny, in New York, NY.
We interviewed Hal to find out more about this gifted teacher and his fight to stomp out illiteracy among our children.
Thank you for this interview, Dr. Lanse. You have done so much to help children and parents alike in the quest to stomp out illiteracy. What was the driving force behind this?
Over the years I´ve taught many workshops for teachers and parents. Parents are always thrilled to receive any information that will help their children succeed in school. They often ask me to recommend books for further reading. This was difficult because too many books are written in confusing educational jargon. Finally, I decided that if anyone was going to do the job it would have to be me. So, I set out to write a readable, user-friendly book on reading—one that would provide useful information for parents whose children are of all ages.
You´re a teacher in New York City specializing in middle-grade and young- adult literacy. Why did you choose this position? I love working with adolescents. They´re full of energy, both joyful and stormy. I´m never bored when I´m in a room filled with teens. Adolescents are also beginning to wrestle with life´s large ideas. This makes the conversations about literature very interesting. You also teach parent workshops. Can you tell us about them?
I´ve taught workshops on a lot of topics. One of the most popular has been "How to Read-Aloud to Your Child." Parents don´t realize that just reading a story isn´t enough. You have to make a game of asking questions. ("Why do you think the character said that?" "What would you think she´s going to do next?") This builds comprehension which is the key to becoming a good reader. I also teach parents strategies for selecting the best books for their children. Can you tell us more about your new book, READ WELL, THINK WELL: BUILD YOUR CHILD'S READING, COMPREHENSION, and AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS?
READ WELL, THINK WELL provides information on an array of topics including: • How to prepare your child to become a reader in early childhood; • How to build your child´s vocabulary; • How to recognize possible reading disabilities; • How to make reading exciting for your child; • How to get older kids interested in reading
What words of advice can you give to parents whose children aren´t showing good reading skills?
Very often, children struggle because we give them books that are too difficult. Here´s an easy way to assess your child´s reading level: Go to the library or book store and pull a book off the shelf. Turn to a page somewhere in the middle and ask your child to read it aloud. Ask her to put up a finger every time she comes to an unfamiliar word. If she raises no more than one or two fingers, the book is on her level. If she raises three or four fingers, this is a book she can read along with you. If she raises five or more fingers, she´s not yet ready for this book. Find another one.
How is your book different from other books on the same subject?
Most books on reading are designed for educators and are filled with lots of technical language that parents can´t be expected to know. I tried to write my book with as little "edu-speak" as possible. Also, most books and websites for parents are collections of talking points. I provide scripts that go into detail about how to work with children on their reading skills. Thank you for this interview, Dr. Lanse. What plans do you have for the future and will you be authoring more books on this subject?
I hope to follow-up with a book on writing. I´m also thinking about writing an advice book for teens. When my son is a bit older, I´d like to write a joint memoir with him. He spent the first half of his childhood in foster care. His story is quite dramatic. He´s overcome a lot of struggles since he´s been with me. He´s twenty now and sane—which is nothing short of a miracle. When he´s in his thirties I´m hoping he´ll be ready to co-author a book. Right now, the memories are still too raw for him.
Dr. Hal W. Lanse, Ph.D. is the author of the parenting and education book, READ WELL, THINK WELL: BUILD YOUR CHILD¢S READING, COMPREHENSION, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. You can visit his website at www.readwellthinkwell.com.
We interviewed Hal to find out more about this gifted teacher and his fight to stomp out illiteracy among our children.
Thank you for this interview, Dr. Lanse. You have done so much to help children and parents alike in the quest to stomp out illiteracy. What was the driving force behind this?
Over the years I´ve taught many workshops for teachers and parents. Parents are always thrilled to receive any information that will help their children succeed in school. They often ask me to recommend books for further reading. This was difficult because too many books are written in confusing educational jargon. Finally, I decided that if anyone was going to do the job it would have to be me. So, I set out to write a readable, user-friendly book on reading—one that would provide useful information for parents whose children are of all ages.
You´re a teacher in New York City specializing in middle-grade and young- adult literacy. Why did you choose this position? I love working with adolescents. They´re full of energy, both joyful and stormy. I´m never bored when I´m in a room filled with teens. Adolescents are also beginning to wrestle with life´s large ideas. This makes the conversations about literature very interesting. You also teach parent workshops. Can you tell us about them?
I´ve taught workshops on a lot of topics. One of the most popular has been "How to Read-Aloud to Your Child." Parents don´t realize that just reading a story isn´t enough. You have to make a game of asking questions. ("Why do you think the character said that?" "What would you think she´s going to do next?") This builds comprehension which is the key to becoming a good reader. I also teach parents strategies for selecting the best books for their children. Can you tell us more about your new book, READ WELL, THINK WELL: BUILD YOUR CHILD'S READING, COMPREHENSION, and AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS?
READ WELL, THINK WELL provides information on an array of topics including: • How to prepare your child to become a reader in early childhood; • How to build your child´s vocabulary; • How to recognize possible reading disabilities; • How to make reading exciting for your child; • How to get older kids interested in reading
What words of advice can you give to parents whose children aren´t showing good reading skills?
Very often, children struggle because we give them books that are too difficult. Here´s an easy way to assess your child´s reading level: Go to the library or book store and pull a book off the shelf. Turn to a page somewhere in the middle and ask your child to read it aloud. Ask her to put up a finger every time she comes to an unfamiliar word. If she raises no more than one or two fingers, the book is on her level. If she raises three or four fingers, this is a book she can read along with you. If she raises five or more fingers, she´s not yet ready for this book. Find another one.
How is your book different from other books on the same subject?
Most books on reading are designed for educators and are filled with lots of technical language that parents can´t be expected to know. I tried to write my book with as little "edu-speak" as possible. Also, most books and websites for parents are collections of talking points. I provide scripts that go into detail about how to work with children on their reading skills. Thank you for this interview, Dr. Lanse. What plans do you have for the future and will you be authoring more books on this subject?
I hope to follow-up with a book on writing. I´m also thinking about writing an advice book for teens. When my son is a bit older, I´d like to write a joint memoir with him. He spent the first half of his childhood in foster care. His story is quite dramatic. He´s overcome a lot of struggles since he´s been with me. He´s twenty now and sane—which is nothing short of a miracle. When he´s in his thirties I´m hoping he´ll be ready to co-author a book. Right now, the memories are still too raw for him.
Dr. Hal W. Lanse, Ph.D. is the author of the parenting and education book, READ WELL, THINK WELL: BUILD YOUR CHILD¢S READING, COMPREHENSION, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. You can visit his website at www.readwellthinkwell.com.
