Natalie Wexler
@natwexler.bsky.social
Author of Beyond the Science of Reading and The Knowledge Gap, co-author of The Writing Revolution. Free Substack newsletter, Minding the Gap (https://nataliewexler.substack.com/).
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
We spoke to the class teacher of the student who made the most progress in our recent writing redraft project.
We asked her which of our new AI feedback reports she found the most useful. Here is what she said.
Read more here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/how-do-stu...
We asked her which of our new AI feedback reports she found the most useful. Here is what she said.
Read more here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/how-do-stu...
July 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
We spoke to the class teacher of the student who made the most progress in our recent writing redraft project.
We asked her which of our new AI feedback reports she found the most useful. Here is what she said.
Read more here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/how-do-stu...
We asked her which of our new AI feedback reports she found the most useful. Here is what she said.
Read more here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/how-do-stu...
Students do need to get feedback on their writing. But it may only work if it's connected to things they've been taught how to do.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
What Happens When Students Get Feedback on Their Writing?
Often, nothing much.
open.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Students do need to get feedback on their writing. But it may only work if it's connected to things they've been taught how to do.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
ChatGPT has its uses, but if students rely on it to do their thinking FOR them, they risk missing out on learning & critical thinking.
We already have evidence of that from cognitive psychology. Now there's more from neuroscience.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-genera...
We already have evidence of that from cognitive psychology. Now there's more from neuroscience.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-genera...
How Generative AI Can Rot Your Brain
Over-reliance on tools like ChatGPT prevents learning and critical thinking.
nataliewexler.substack.com
June 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
ChatGPT has its uses, but if students rely on it to do their thinking FOR them, they risk missing out on learning & critical thinking.
We already have evidence of that from cognitive psychology. Now there's more from neuroscience.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-genera...
We already have evidence of that from cognitive psychology. Now there's more from neuroscience.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/how-genera...
English majors can't understand Dickens on their own, a study finds. Professors need to provide students with more support.
It would help if students read more novels, including at least one by Dickens, in high school.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/struggles-...
It would help if students read more novels, including at least one by Dickens, in high school.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/struggles-...
Struggles with 'Bleak House'
Should college students be expected to read and understand nineteenth-century novels?
nataliewexler.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
English majors can't understand Dickens on their own, a study finds. Professors need to provide students with more support.
It would help if students read more novels, including at least one by Dickens, in high school.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/struggles-...
It would help if students read more novels, including at least one by Dickens, in high school.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/struggles-...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
Author @natwexler.bsky.social explains how to align writing instruction with cognitive science: edut.to/4muKdYp
#literacy #EduSky
#literacy #EduSky
May 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Author @natwexler.bsky.social explains how to align writing instruction with cognitive science: edut.to/4muKdYp
#literacy #EduSky
#literacy #EduSky
Kudos to the NY Times for giving some attention to the shift to knowledge-building in elementary schools that is sweeping the country.
Next (I hope): the deeper dive this significant & complex issue deserves.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/knowledge-...
Next (I hope): the deeper dive this significant & complex issue deserves.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/knowledge-...
Knowledge-Building in the News
The mainstream media is beginning to take note of the trend towards building knowledge in elementary school. Let’s hope that leads to deeper coverage.
nataliewexler.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Kudos to the NY Times for giving some attention to the shift to knowledge-building in elementary schools that is sweeping the country.
Next (I hope): the deeper dive this significant & complex issue deserves.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/knowledge-...
Next (I hope): the deeper dive this significant & complex issue deserves.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/knowledge-...
Glad the @nytimes.com is taking notice of @knowledgematrs.bsky.social & the rise of the knowledge-building movement.
Would love to see more in-depth coverage too. There's a lot more to be said on this topic!
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
Would love to see more in-depth coverage too. There's a lot more to be said on this topic!
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Glad the @nytimes.com is taking notice of @knowledgematrs.bsky.social & the rise of the knowledge-building movement.
Would love to see more in-depth coverage too. There's a lot more to be said on this topic!
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
Would love to see more in-depth coverage too. There's a lot more to be said on this topic!
Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...
The court system isn't always the best place to resolve education issues. Two pending Supreme Court cases--one on LGBTQ-themed books in elementary school & the other on religious charter schools--show why.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/some-educa...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/some-educa...
Some Education Issues Don't Belong in Court
The legal system isn't designed to answer nuanced questions.
nataliewexler.substack.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The court system isn't always the best place to resolve education issues. Two pending Supreme Court cases--one on LGBTQ-themed books in elementary school & the other on religious charter schools--show why.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/some-educa...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/some-educa...
Funding cuts have led to cancellations of some national tests of student achievement.
I've been a critic of some of those tests--but eliminating them won't solve the underlying problem. It may just make it worse.
Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
I've been a critic of some of those tests--but eliminating them won't solve the underlying problem. It may just make it worse.
Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity
If we don't know how students are doing, does the problem disappear?
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Funding cuts have led to cancellations of some national tests of student achievement.
I've been a critic of some of those tests--but eliminating them won't solve the underlying problem. It may just make it worse.
Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
I've been a critic of some of those tests--but eliminating them won't solve the underlying problem. It may just make it worse.
Test Scores, Budget Cuts and Equity open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
'“It’s really hard to get a history teaching job if you’re not a coach,” a Texas teacher told me recently.'
This line in @natwexler.bsky.social’s piece on history curriculum stopped me in my tracks.
More on history curriculum landscape:
substack.com/@nataliewexl...
This line in @natwexler.bsky.social’s piece on history curriculum stopped me in my tracks.
More on history curriculum landscape:
substack.com/@nataliewexl...
A New Way to Teach History
A curriculum now being developed enables students to engage with the subject at a deeper level.
substack.com
April 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
'“It’s really hard to get a history teaching job if you’re not a coach,” a Texas teacher told me recently.'
This line in @natwexler.bsky.social’s piece on history curriculum stopped me in my tracks.
More on history curriculum landscape:
substack.com/@nataliewexl...
This line in @natwexler.bsky.social’s piece on history curriculum stopped me in my tracks.
More on history curriculum landscape:
substack.com/@nataliewexl...
Researchers are concerned that wealthier students "benefit" more from ChatGPT. But if they get the bot to do their work, are they really benefiting? Or are they losing out on learning?
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/do-student...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/do-student...
Do Students Who Rely on ChatGPT "Benefit"?
AI has its uses, but it's not a substitute for writing--or learning.
nataliewexler.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Researchers are concerned that wealthier students "benefit" more from ChatGPT. But if they get the bot to do their work, are they really benefiting? Or are they losing out on learning?
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/do-student...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/do-student...
Join me for a free webinar next week on using writing instruction to boost reading comprehension--and learning in general. Sponsored by The Writing Revolution.
For more info and to register, click here:
bit.ly/3G6n9P5
For more info and to register, click here:
bit.ly/3G6n9P5
Go Beyond the Science of Reading with Explicit Writing Instruction - edWeb
This edWebinar will explore how the Hochman Method strengthens reading comprehension and elevates student proficiency in both reading and writing.
bit.ly
April 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Join me for a free webinar next week on using writing instruction to boost reading comprehension--and learning in general. Sponsored by The Writing Revolution.
For more info and to register, click here:
bit.ly/3G6n9P5
For more info and to register, click here:
bit.ly/3G6n9P5
Do teachers spend too little time on reading comprehension instruction, as a recent report says--or too much?
The answer may be "both." It depends on where you look--& how you define "comprehension instruction."
More in my new post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
The answer may be "both." It depends on where you look--& how you define "comprehension instruction."
More in my new post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
What Do We Mean by "Reading Comprehension Instruction"?
And is there too little of it in schools or too much?
nataliewexler.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Do teachers spend too little time on reading comprehension instruction, as a recent report says--or too much?
The answer may be "both." It depends on where you look--& how you define "comprehension instruction."
More in my new post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
The answer may be "both." It depends on where you look--& how you define "comprehension instruction."
More in my new post on Minding the Gap:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
Kids often find history boring. But a new curriculum based on the Four Question Method, shows how to make the subject engaging AND take it to a deeper level.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
A New Way to Teach History
A curriculum now being developed enables students to engage with the subject at a deeper level.
open.substack.com
March 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Kids often find history boring. But a new curriculum based on the Four Question Method, shows how to make the subject engaging AND take it to a deeper level.
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
More in my latest post on Minding the Gap:
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
🎧 Bonus Episode! The #KnowledgeMatters Podcast presents Writing: An Unsung Hero of Reading Comprehension—featuring @natwexler.bsky.social, Doug Lemov & more!
Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Bonus Episode: Writing: An Unsung Hero of Reading Comprehension
Podcast Episode · The Knowledge Matters Podcast · Bonus · 1h 2m
podcasts.apple.com
March 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
🎧 Bonus Episode! The #KnowledgeMatters Podcast presents Writing: An Unsung Hero of Reading Comprehension—featuring @natwexler.bsky.social, Doug Lemov & more!
Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
What makes a school "good"? Test scores could indicate quality--or just a lot of test prep.
A school in the UK has great test scores AND great quality. The secret? They base instruction in principles of cognitive science.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-makes...
A school in the UK has great test scores AND great quality. The secret? They base instruction in principles of cognitive science.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-makes...
What Makes a School "Good"?
Assumptions about school quality can conflict with reality.
nataliewexler.substack.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
What makes a school "good"? Test scores could indicate quality--or just a lot of test prep.
A school in the UK has great test scores AND great quality. The secret? They base instruction in principles of cognitive science.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-makes...
A school in the UK has great test scores AND great quality. The secret? They base instruction in principles of cognitive science.
More in my latest post:
nataliewexler.substack.com/p/what-makes...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
The evidence is clear: prioritizing so-called “general skills” over knowledge-building has failed our kids for decades.
Read @natwexler.bsky.social’s take: substack.com/@nataliewexl...
Read @natwexler.bsky.social’s take: substack.com/@nataliewexl...
March 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
The evidence is clear: prioritizing so-called “general skills” over knowledge-building has failed our kids for decades.
Read @natwexler.bsky.social’s take: substack.com/@nataliewexl...
Read @natwexler.bsky.social’s take: substack.com/@nataliewexl...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
Appreciate @natwexler.bsky.social for the shoutout in her new book on our support of #edprep programs to embed #cogsci!
At DFI, we work directly w programs AND drive policy change at scale. The path to system change is long, but we’re making it happen. www.the74million.org/article/cont...
At DFI, we work directly w programs AND drive policy change at scale. The path to system change is long, but we’re making it happen. www.the74million.org/article/cont...
February 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Appreciate @natwexler.bsky.social for the shoutout in her new book on our support of #edprep programs to embed #cogsci!
At DFI, we work directly w programs AND drive policy change at scale. The path to system change is long, but we’re making it happen. www.the74million.org/article/cont...
At DFI, we work directly w programs AND drive policy change at scale. The path to system change is long, but we’re making it happen. www.the74million.org/article/cont...
Just out: Part 2 of my post explaining why there IS enough evidence to justify a switch to knowledge-building curricula.
If we wait for definitive experimental evidence, we'll be waiting a long time--and many kids will continue to suffer academically.
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
If we wait for definitive experimental evidence, we'll be waiting a long time--and many kids will continue to suffer academically.
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Is the "Buzz" About Knowledge Justified by the Evidence (Part 2)?
The answer is still yes, but we have to be realistic in our expectations.
open.substack.com
February 27, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Just out: Part 2 of my post explaining why there IS enough evidence to justify a switch to knowledge-building curricula.
If we wait for definitive experimental evidence, we'll be waiting a long time--and many kids will continue to suffer academically.
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
If we wait for definitive experimental evidence, we'll be waiting a long time--and many kids will continue to suffer academically.
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Has there really never been a study showing that knowledge-building boosts reading comprehension? That's what some claim.
I beg to differ--strongly.
More in my latest post (first of a two-parter).
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
I beg to differ--strongly.
More in my latest post (first of a two-parter).
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
Is the "Buzz" About Knowledge Justified by the Evidence (Part 1)?
In short: yes. But it's complicated.
open.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Has there really never been a study showing that knowledge-building boosts reading comprehension? That's what some claim.
I beg to differ--strongly.
More in my latest post (first of a two-parter).
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
I beg to differ--strongly.
More in my latest post (first of a two-parter).
open.substack.com/pub/nataliew...
News flash: I'm participating in a free webinar about my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, on 2/17 at 7 p.m. Eastern--hosted by Marnie Ginsberg of Reading Simplified.
Register here: my.demio.com/ref/JTOfuP7h...
Register here: my.demio.com/ref/JTOfuP7h...
Natalie Wexler: Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning
Join us as we discuss author, Natalie Wexler's, latest book and how it impacts the way we teach reading.
my.demio.com
February 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
News flash: I'm participating in a free webinar about my new book, Beyond the Science of Reading, on 2/17 at 7 p.m. Eastern--hosted by Marnie Ginsberg of Reading Simplified.
Register here: my.demio.com/ref/JTOfuP7h...
Register here: my.demio.com/ref/JTOfuP7h...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
How much do you really know about the #ReadingWars? Dive into @natwexler.bsky.social's insights on the failure of education reforms and the path to effective reading comprehension. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
February 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
How much do you really know about the #ReadingWars? Dive into @natwexler.bsky.social's insights on the failure of education reforms and the path to effective reading comprehension. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
Struggling with student comprehension in your class? Here's why content matters more than "skills." @natwexler.bsky.social, author of "The Knowledge Gap" joins me on Critically Speaking. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
#educationreform #knowledgegap
#educationreform #knowledgegap
February 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Struggling with student comprehension in your class? Here's why content matters more than "skills." @natwexler.bsky.social, author of "The Knowledge Gap" joins me on Critically Speaking. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
#educationreform #knowledgegap
#educationreform #knowledgegap
It was a pleasure and an honor to appear on the Critically Speaking podcast, hosted by Dr. Therese Markow. We had a great conversation!
Struggling with student comprehension in your class? Here's why content matters more than "skills." @natwexler.bsky.social, author of "The Knowledge Gap" joins me on Critically Speaking. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
#KnowledgeGap
#KnowledgeGap
February 14, 2025 at 12:05 AM
It was a pleasure and an honor to appear on the Critically Speaking podcast, hosted by Dr. Therese Markow. We had a great conversation!
Reposted by Natalie Wexler
Is there a science to teaching kids how to read?
🤔 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
@natwexler.bsky.social uncovers the truth behind educational approaches and why many fall short.
#Education
🤔 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
@natwexler.bsky.social uncovers the truth behind educational approaches and why many fall short.
#Education
February 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Is there a science to teaching kids how to read?
🤔 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
@natwexler.bsky.social uncovers the truth behind educational approaches and why many fall short.
#Education
🤔 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
@natwexler.bsky.social uncovers the truth behind educational approaches and why many fall short.
#Education