Becoming a Literacy Leader Part 2: Rethinking Assessment Using Universal Screening
Second webinar in a series featuring three Ontario educators discussing how they are using universal screening in their classrooms.
Implementing Structured Literacy In the Classroom: Part 1: Phonological Awareness
This IDA Ontario webinar focuses on incorporating intentional yet playful phonological and phonemic awareness instruction into the Ontario kindergarten program.
The Art & Science of Teaching Primary Reading
Written for teachers by a teacher with a strong understanding of reading science, this title supports both the foundational skills and language comprehension components of reading.
Implementing Structured Literacy In the Classroom-Part 3: Putting it Together
Third webinar in the IDA Ontario structured literacy in kindergarten series.
Structured Literacy Among English Learners: What Every Teacher Should Know
This PaTTAN webinar featuring Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan focuses on structured literacy for English Language Learners, addressing evidence-based practices for the explicit instruction of oral language strategies within a structured literacy lesson. A variety of strategies are demonstrated.
Reading Road Trip: Literacy Myth Busting with Lyn Stone
In this podcast episode, Lyn Stone busts common reading myths and misconceptions, advocating for evidence-based structured literacy for all students. Lyn highlights the importance of targeting intervention to student needs, the myth of dyslexia as a gift, and the value of explicit writing instruction.
Effective Early Literacy Instruction with Dr Sonia Cabell
In this podcast interview with Kate Winn and Dr. Sonia Cabell, the focus is on the importance of early language and literacy development. Dr. Cabell highlights key considerations for instruction in several areas: oral language and conversation, alphabetics, writing and spelling, and building knowledge.
Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Word Reading Skills
In this article from the International Dyslexia Association, Al Otaiba et al. emphasize the significance of evidence-based systematic and explicit instruction. They outline the typical process through which students grasp the alphabetic principle (the concept that words consist of distinct sounds). They also provide explanations of blending and segmenting instruction, accompanied by sample activities. The article also furnishes teachers with resources for explicit and systematic reading instruction as well as examples of explicit and systematic programs for teaching phonemic awareness and phonics.
Reading Road Trip: All Things Fluency with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
In this IDA Ontario podcast featuring Kate Winn and Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, the focus is on the significance of reading fluency and its impact on students’ literacy development. Reading fluency, characterized by accuracy, rate, and prosody, plays a vital role in overall reading proficiency and comprehension. The podcast highlights the importance of assessing reading fluency effectively, and using research-backed approaches to supporting fluency development.
Reading Road Trip: Mighty Moves for Reading Success with Lindsay Kemeny
In this podcast episode, Lindsay Kemeny highlights the « 7 Mighty Moves » she made to align her early literacy instruction with research. Moves include teaching phonemic awareness with intention, teaching phonics explicitly and systematically, teaching decoding strategies, using decodable texts for beginning readers, encouraging more decoding of high-frequency words, providing meaningful fluency practice, and embracing vocabulary and knowledge instruction to support comprehension.
Deconstructing the Rope: Vocabulary
Nancy Hennessy expertly discusses the Scarborough’s reading rope’s deconstruction and highlights vocabulary and explicit instruction’s vital role in improving reading comprehension. Emphasizing explicit vocabulary instruction, she aims to equip students with a broad and deep lexicon for understanding complex texts and expressing ideas coherently. Through structured guidance, educators can empower students to become proficient readers.
Decodable Text: Training Wheels for Reading
This podcast episode explores decodable text as training wheels for early readers. These texts feature phonetically regular words and consistent spelling patterns, providing a structured approach to learning to read. Kemeny emphasizes their importance in building strong phonics and decoding skills, boosting reading fluency and confidence. Decodable texts are introduced in the early stages of reading instruction and gradually phased out as students become proficient in decoding and sight words. Educators can make the process engaging through interactive activities and relatable stories. The goal is for students to transition to authentic texts when they have developed solid decoding skills and a growing sight word vocabulary. Effective use of decodable texts ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey towards reading fluency for young learners.
