Summer Syntax Celebration Recordings with Dr. Margie Gillis

Syntax is often overlooked and misunderstood, but is KEY to reading and writing proficiency! This series presents research on syntax and explains its critical role in comprehending complex text, reading fluency, and writing coherent sentences. Armed with this understanding, educators learned how to teach their students the functions of sentence parts—words, phrases, and clauses—in order…

Writing Pathway

The Writing Pathway, researched by Dr. Steve Graham, makes high-quality writing instruction accessible to all, blending a researched approach with AI tools that save educators time. Teachers can create writing practice for any topic or content area across grades 3-12.

Syntax: Knowledge to Practice

This book, from the Literacy How Professional Learning Series, covers relevant research, knowledge that educators need, activities, assessment and information on selecting and using texts to support syntax instruction in the classroom. Classroom educators from K-3 and those who provide intervention for older learners would benefit from this book, which is also informative professional development…

Juicy Sentence Guidance

Far too often, students who struggle with reading and language are given simplified, uninteresting texts. These texts are judged to be “at-the-students’ language or reading level” but deny students access to rich, interesting, age-appropriate text. This guidance document outlines some ideas for fostering conversations around “juicy sentences,” where students learn to deconstruct and reconstruct sentences,…

Syntax Knowledge to Practice

In the webinar, Margie Gillis and Nancy Eberhardt explored the effective use of syntax in teaching reading and writing. The webinar highlighted the role syntax plays in enhancing language and literacy. Gillis and Eberhardt highlight a « function-first » approach to teaching syntax, a key element of the Ontario Language curriculum. Specific instructional activities to teach syntax…