What are your "Good Ideas" for reading instruction

Since reading Holding on to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones, I began to focus on as  educators we all have our stand by teaching methods.  Which ones have you do believe in even though there have been "new" and "improved" methods that have surfaced?

Finally!

Thomas Newkirk author of Holding on to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones states"There is an epidemic of teaching to the test-any one who denies this is simply not facing reality." pg. 4.  It is refreshing to finally hear that as educators we are being forced to teach to the test.  When I first began teaching I was shocked that the teaching was geared soley towards the test.  I felt the students were not getting a complete education.  I'm glad it is being acknowledged!