Reading Road Trip: Classroom Comprehension with Dr. Kristin Conradi Smith, Tamara Williams & Ellen Frackelton

This week Kate talks to Kristin Conradi Smith, Tammy Williams, and Ellen Frackelton about research-based comprehension strategies for the classroom, including considerations for text selection and preparation, common pitfalls to avoid and “use it tomorrow” ideas. Bottom line: no more strategy of the week!

Reading Road Trip: Next STEPS for Targeted Instruction with Dr. Deb Glaser

This week, Kate chats with Dr. Deb Glaser about the second edition of Next STEPS for Literacy Instruction, co-authored with Dr. Susan Smartt. Kate and Deb unpack how to use valid and reliable assessments to shape effective literacy instructions, particularly through the Next STEPS framework: Set-up, Teach, Engage, Practice, and Show You Know.

Reading Road Trip: The Structured Literacy Shift in a First Nation School with Catherine Shawana

Kate welcomes Catherine Shawana, a member of Wiikwemkoong unceded territory, for a candid discussion about her First Nation school’s journey from balanced literacy to structured literacy, as well as a broader conversation about First Nations education. Catherine’s passions are rooted in the foundation of building Anishnawbek identity and establishing a connection to Indigenous ways of knowing,…

How Learning Happens

Passionate about integrating the science of learning into your pedagogical practice? Catch up with the materials and recordings from Jim Hewitt and Nidhi Sachdeva’s series, focusing on selected chapters from How Learning Happens by Paul Kirschner and Carl Hendrick. The series focuses on six theoretical foundations from the Science of Learning and examines how we can…

Reading For Life: High Quality Literacy Instruction For All

In Reading For Life, author Lyn Stone holds nothing back when sharing research and best practices for literacy instruction, and outlining why some past beliefs and practices have to go for the sake of our students and their reading and writing development. Section 1 covers structured literacy components such as oral language, phonological awareness, phonics,…

Brain Words: How the Science of Reading Informs Teaching

In Brain Words, the authors share information about the reading brain, and how teachers can support its development. The book includes science-based, practical classroom activities for the teaching and assessment of reading and writing (including the helpful “Monster Test” which helps to determine a student’s developmental phase). This book is designed for educators in K…

Structured Literacy Infographic

This infographic provides a comprehensive visual guide to structured literacy, an evidence-based approach to teaching language and literacy. By illustrating both the “how” and “what” of structured literacy, the infographic serves as a valuable resource for educators committed to fostering strong foundational literacy skills in all learners. To support printing, there is both a dark…

Maya’s Book Nook: Beyond the Book Resources

Maya’s Book Nook is a website created by Speech-Language Pathologist Dr. Lakeisha Johnson. The Behind the Book section houses a bank of materials to accompany a diverse, culturally relevant children’s book. Equally useful for both parents/caregivers and educators, these handouts include target vocabulary words, as well as questions to support dialogic reading to build language comprehension.