Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Word Reading Skills

In this article from the International Dyslexia Association, Al Otaiba et al. emphasize the significance of evidence-based systematic and explicit instruction. They outline the typical process through which students grasp the alphabetic principle (the concept that words consist of distinct sounds). They also provide explanations of blending and segmenting instruction, accompanied by sample activities. The article also furnishes teachers with resources for explicit and systematic reading instruction as well as examples of explicit and systematic programs for teaching phonemic awareness and phonics.

Reading Road Trip: All Things Fluency with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck

In this IDA Ontario podcast featuring Kate Winn and Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, the focus is on the significance of reading fluency and its impact on students’ literacy development. Reading fluency, characterized by accuracy, rate, and prosody, plays a vital role in overall reading proficiency and comprehension. The podcast highlights the importance of assessing reading fluency effectively, and using research-backed approaches to supporting fluency development.

Reading Road Trip: Mighty Moves for Reading Success with Lindsay Kemeny

In this podcast episode, Lindsay Kemeny highlights the “7 Mighty Moves” she made to align her early literacy instruction with research. Moves include teaching phonemic awareness with intention, teaching phonics explicitly and systematically, teaching decoding strategies, using decodable texts for beginning readers, encouraging more decoding of high-frequency words, providing meaningful fluency practice, and embracing vocabulary and knowledge instruction to support comprehension.

Deconstructing the Rope: Vocabulary

Nancy Hennessy expertly discusses the Scarborough’s reading rope’s deconstruction and highlights vocabulary and explicit instruction’s vital role in improving reading comprehension. Emphasizing explicit vocabulary instruction, she aims to equip students with a broad and deep lexicon for understanding complex texts and expressing ideas coherently. Through structured guidance, educators can empower students to become proficient readers.

Decodable Text: Training Wheels for Reading

This podcast episode explores decodable text as training wheels for early readers. These texts feature phonetically regular words and consistent spelling patterns, providing a structured approach to learning to read. Kemeny emphasizes their importance in building strong phonics and decoding skills, boosting reading fluency and confidence. Decodable texts are introduced in the early stages of reading instruction and gradually phased out as students become proficient in decoding and sight words. Educators can make the process engaging through interactive activities and relatable stories. The goal is for students to transition to authentic texts when they have developed solid decoding skills and a growing sight word vocabulary. Effective use of decodable texts ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey towards reading fluency for young learners.

Uncovering the Logic of English: Reversing the Educational Crisis

In the EDView 360 podcast, Denise Eide discusses her book “Uncovering the Logic of English,” focusing on spelling rules and patterns in the language. She advocates for a systematic approach to spelling, emphasizing the importance of morphology and etymology in understanding word formation and meanings. The podcast provides valuable insights for anyone interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of English spelling.

Data-Based Decision Making in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Principles, Practices, Tips, and Tools

In this International Dyslexia Association Perspectives article, Sarah V. Arden and Jill M. Pentimonti emphasize the vital role of data-based decision-making in Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to improve reading outcomes for students, especially those with disabilities. MTSS offers a framework with three tiers of instruction involving progress monitoring to determine suitable support levels. The authors stress the need for a climate of data fluency among educators, promoting collaboration to analyze data and identify students needing additional support. Diagnostic assessments are essential in Tier 3 to guide individualized interventions, with regular progress monitoring to make timely adjustments. The article aims to aid educators in effectively utilizing data to enhance student achievement within the MTSS framework.

How Reading Science Works for English Learners

In this podcast episode, Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan discusses structured literacy for English Language learners. Evidence-based instruction for English Learners involves recognizing the unique history, culture, and usage of each language, plus research-based explicit instruction. Dr. emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between language and literacy, wherein language aids literacy, and literacy enhances language skills.