In The Know
A new column exploring the science of learning and the importance of background knowledge.
Media
Webinar
RECORDING: Writing: An Unsung Hero of Reading Comprehension
Natalie Wexler, Doug Lemov, and Julia Cooper kick off our new webinar series, hosted by Kristen McQuillan.
07/19/2024
Column
The Campaign for Knowledge-Rich Curricula is Winning
Balanced literacy and readers/writers’ workshop are on the wane. Three-cueing is out. Phonics is in. And we see ever-growing awareness of the important role of content knowledge to literacy success.
05/31/2024
Column
For Stronger Readers in Third Grade, Start Building Knowledge in Preschool
We celebrate the growing movement to connect preschool instruction with the science of reading.
05/08/2024
Statement
Statement from the Knowledge Matters Campaign Scientific Advisory Committee
Model language for the next generation of state reading legislation.
03/28/2024
Column
Beyond the Word Wall: Building Knowledge Transfer Over Time to Accelerate Student Learning
Revisiting Jimmy Kim’s important study demonstrating “transfer effect” from science and history learning.
02/26/2024
Column
Knowledge-Rich Curricula Advance in a Remarkable Adoption Season
Wisconsin offers a model for curriculum evaluation.
02/18/2024
Column
A Tipping Point for Knowledge
We close the year with much to celebrate – and a preview of the work ahead in 2024.
12/15/2023
Column
The 74: Championing High-Quality Literacy Instruction: Inside Knowledge Matters’ New Curriculum Review Tool
By Barbara Davidson
11/01/2023
Column
Education Week: New Tool to Evaluate Reading Programs for ‘Knowledge-Building’
By Sarah Schwartz
11/01/2023
Column
The Baltimore Banner: Commentary: Interim superintendent brings opportunity to raise student performance
By Barbara Davidson
10/15/2023
Podcast
Ep. 6, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Think what a better society we’ll have”
American education has a number of serious problems–and our failure to start building kids' knowledge early is a fundamental one.
07/26/2023
Podcast
Ep. 5, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Everything was in silos”
Students need a curriculum that builds knowledge, and only a leader can put that kind of system in place.
07/19/2023
Podcast
Ep. 4, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Now they had something to write about”
Knowledge-building curricula boost both writing ability and learning in general.
07/12/2023
Podcast
Ep. 3, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “That cloud looks like an anvil”
When their schools adopted knowledge-building curricula they were skeptical, but the dramatic results helped change their minds.
07/05/2023
Podcast
Ep. 1, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Kids were bored to death”
Despite substantial investments in education reform, the US remains in the grip of a decades-long reading crisis.
06/28/2023
Podcast
Ep. 2, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “A simple way of looking at a complex problem”
There’s far more to reading than decoding, and more we need to do to help our kids become truly literate.
06/28/2023
Column
Scaling the “Dinosaur Effect”: Topic vs. Theme in Elementary Classrooms
How does this happen? It turns out research has an answer.
06/14/2023
Column
School-Wide Efforts to Build Knowledge Over Time Matter for Later Reading Achievement
Grissmer studied knowledge-building across subjects for a period of several years.
04/17/2023
Column
Integrating Science and Literacy from the Start of School
Opportunities for science learning can enhance opportunities for literacy learning beginning in kindergarten.
04/04/2023
Column
Ten Practical Recommendations for Educators from Our Scientific Advisory Committee
Our Scientific Advisory Committee, comprises fourteen of the country’s leading education researchers, debuted a new series.
03/24/2023
Column
After Twenty Years, Will Educators Finally Be In The Know About Knowledge?
Today, we debut a new column, In The Know. It will serve as a platform for sharing the latest research on the role of knowledge.
02/06/2023
Podcast
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast featuring Barbara Davidson
Episode 139: Knowledge and Comprehension with Daniel Willingham and Barbara Davidson
01/14/2023
Statement
Statement from the Knowledge Matters Campaign Scientific Advisory Committee
Calling on the movement for evidence-based reading instruction to elevate the role of background knowledge.
08/15/2022