INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Ciera Harris, an experienced elementary teacher and instructional coach, has launched her new book, ‘The Thinking Reader,’ today, aiming to transform literacy education by focusing on metacognition.

The book, two years in the making, addresses the ‘gray aspect’ of literacy, which involves teaching students how to think critically while reading. Harris emphasizes the importance of metacognition, or thinking about one’s own thinking, as a crucial skill for students to develop.

“When I got it in the mail for the first time, I was like, I didn’t just write a book. I wrote a weapon,” Harris said, joking about the size of the book as well as expressing her hope that the book will change literacy and teaching for students everywhere.

Harris explains that traditional literacy education often focuses on straightforward concepts like phonics and vocabulary, but her book aims to teach students how to engage in a ‘give and take’ relationship with the text. This involves questioning, visualizing, and analyzing the material to make it meaningful beyond the words on the page.

She notes the common issue of students who can read fluently but struggle with comprehension, referring to them as ‘word callers.’

Harris believes her book provides a step-by-step plan for educators to help students become deep critical thinkers, regardless of their reading abilities. Harris also highlights that even students with learning disabilities can become exceptional thinkers if they are taught how to think critically. She hopes her book will be a transformative tool for educators everywhere.

With the launch of ‘The Thinking Reader,’ Sierra Harris aims to equip educators with the tools to foster critical thinking skills in students, potentially transforming literacy education and helping students apply their reading to real-life contexts.