Why Reading Screening?
Why do we need to screen – don’t we already know which students are having difficulty with reading? Watch this brief video that unpacks how screening data help us build systems the set all students up for success.
Grade 2/3 Literacy Blocks and Webinar Recording
Laura Bross, a grade 2/3 teacher in the Avon Maitland District School Board, maps out sample literacy blocks for a grade 2, 3 or 2/3 class. In the document, she highlights different possible configurations, and links to additional resources that she uses to plan effective instruction in her class.
Partner Reading in Laura Bross’ Class
Learning a new skill or strategy follows a predictable sequence known as the Instructional Hierarchy. As students build proficiency with a skill, it’s important to consider how we can build purposeful opportunities for practice. In this video, learn how grade 2/3 teacher Laura Bross uses partner reading in her class.
Multisyllabic Word Decoding Posters
These posters highlight a decoding strategy adapted from the IES Practice Guide Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4–9. Two versions are available – a double sided 8.5 x 11 copy with sample educator language for modelling the strategy, and a larger 24 x 36 size. References: Vaughn, S., Gersten, R., Dimino, J.,…
Fluency: Key to Comprehension with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
Fluency is essential for skillful and motivated reading, but is often misunderstood. Fluent reading is NOT fast reading! Jan Hasbrouck defines reading fluency and clarifies the link between fluency and comprehension.
Syllable Spelling Template
This printable template, with boxes for each syllable, can be used to support students in spelling multisyllabic words.
Sentence Dictation Template
This printable template, with clear lines to support good handwriting, can be used for sentence dictation.
Spelling: Visible Language to Inform Instruction and Intervention
This recorded webinar highlights the importance of spelling to literacy development and how it can be analyzed to inform instruction and intervention. The integration of phonology, orthography, and morphology can be used to analyze student spelling inventory results. Dr. Pam Kastner analyzes classroom and individual student spelling to determine the types of errors students made.
Thinking About Comprehension
In this brief video, Nancy Hennessy shares insights into the elements of comprehension and how educators can facilitate comprehension for students through Structured Literacy instruction.
Early Reading Screening and Comprehension
While Ministry-approved early reading screening tools may not measure comprehension directly, we learn a lot about students’ comprehension with the Oral Reading Fluency subtest. Learn more in this brief video!
Reading Road Trip S3 E10: The Science of Learning with Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden
Season 3 of Reading Road Trip wraps up with a jam-packed episode featuring Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden. Kate and Amanda have a wide-ranging conversation about the science of learning and human behaviour – how do children learn new things? From the instructional hierarchy to incremental rehearsal, don’t miss this fabulous episode!
The Instructional Hierarchy
The Instructional Hierarchy is a model of skill acquisition. The hierarchy has been researched for decades – when we learn something new, we move through a series of predictable stages. Educators need to be aware of the instructional hierarchy since we are most effective when our instruction matches the student’s current level of proficiency. Learn…
