Repurposing Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI) – Content Library

Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI) is a commonly used literacy intervention grounded in the ineffective three-cueing approach to reading instruction. In 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission found that LLI is ineffective, both from external research on its effectiveness and boards’ own data on student outcomes. The Commission recommended moving away from programs like LLI and…

Students With Autism: How To Improve Language, Literacy and Academic Success

This resource is for all educators who work with students with autism. While many books on this topic focus on social and behavioural needs, this book offers a comprehensive focus on curriculum and instruction for this population of students. Early chapters on characteristics of autism and how core deficits affect language and learning are valuable…

A teacher standing in front of a group of students

Exploring Shades of Meaning: A Vocabulary Activity for Junior and Intermediate Students

Teaching vocabulary is a key element of the revised Language curriculum that stretches across all grade levels. Effective vocabulary instruction is crucial for developing students’ reading comprehension and writing skills. One engaging way to teach vocabulary nuances is through the Shades of Meaning activity, which uses semantic gradients to help students understand subtle differences between…

A child writing spelling words

Cracking the Code: Understanding Vowel Spellings

English orthography often has a reputation of being overly complicated and too difficult for students to navigate. While the English writing system certainly is complex, there is a predictable and consistent structure that supports strong reading and writing. This structure must be taught explicitly and systematically! Overlap is part of the nature of our code….

Daily Pen Review

This template can be used for daily review. Created by Laura Bross and inspired by the OG Classroom Educator Course, it can be used as a quick review tool for older students who still require daily review on phonics skills. Recommendations include: Use pens for this task.  When students make an error, encourage them to…

A 2020 Perspective on Research Findings on Alphabetics: Implications for Instruction

Alphabetics (phonemic awareness and phonics) were key elements of effective, evidence-based reading instruction identified in the National Reading Panel. 20 years after the release of the report of the panel, Dr. Susan Brady summarized Panel findings, and highlighted key findings from research after its release.

Big Words For Young Readers

In this book, Heidi Mesmer shares research-backed strategies to support teachers as they move students beyond basic phonics and decoding short words. It’s easy to follow with lots of graphics, sidebars, resources accessible by QR code and appendices. Part I of the book breaks down the foundations of teaching big words with “What You Need…

REWARDS Training Videos

REWARDS is a research-validated, specialized reading intervention program designed for students in junior, intermediate and senior grades. There are three YouTube videos for different versions of the program: REWARDS Intermediate, REWARDS Secondary, and REWARDS Social Studies.