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 […]

Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures

This spiral-bound book is a collection of formal and informal assessments covering phonological awareness, phonics, decoding and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, including the CORE Phonics Survey, often recommended as a diagnostic tool to be used after universal screening to help identify gaps. Assessments […]

Next STEPS Summer Book Study – Recordings and References

Keen to learn more about using assessment to drive structured literacy in your classroom?   Catch up with our Next STEPS Summer Book Study. Resources related to this ONlit event series, hosted by Jordan Sloan, can be found here. Each session in the series tackles a […]

Grammar on the Go

Grammar on the Go is a playlist of some foundational grammar concepts covered in the new Ontario Language Arts Curriculum (2003) for Grades 1-9.  The video series focuses on nouns (common, proper, singular, plural), verbs (past, present, future, progressive, perfect tenses), pronouns (first person, second […]

Structured Journal Template

This structured journal template, based on the work of David Liben and Meredith Liben, can be used to introduce students to the use of structured journals in their close reading of texts. While this work can be started orally with younger students, this template will […]

Scaffolding Vocabulary and Complex Texts

Vocabulary knowledge must be intentionally nurtured to ensure that students are ready for the greater vocabulary demands of reading complex texts and writing multi-paragraph essays, but we need to pay attention to cracks in the foundation and scaffold our lessons accordingly, or it all falls […]

Data Informed Systems

In this series of videos, Dr. Andrea Fraser highlights key considerations for school boards and districts as they move to evidence-based assessment and data-based decision-making.

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. […]

Syntax Party Recording

Missed the ONlit Syntax Party with Dr. Margie Gillis? Catch up with the recordings – learn about why syntax is necessary for skilled reading and writing, and how to best teach this important language domain.

GECDSB Curriculum Aligned Mentor Texts

Thank you to Greater Essex County DSB for generously sharing this spreadsheet! It contains sets of texts aligned with content from the 4 frames (kindergarten), social studies and science curricula (grades 1 – 6), and history and geography curricula (grades 7 and 8).   These […]