Sample Junior/Intermediate Language Block
This document shows a sample schedule for a language block in the junior or intermediate grades.
Grade 2/3 Sample Language Block Plan
This document shows a sample schedule for a 110-minute language block. It’s important to note that this schedule should shift across the school year to better meet students’ changing needs. For example, focus may shift more to multisyllabic word reading and spelling.
Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Joan Sedita highlights the importance of vocabulary instruction, how vocabulary instruction supports reading comprehension, and characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction.
Decoding or Fluency Instruction in Middle School?
Dr. Timothy Shanahan explores possible reading profiles of students in grades 6 – 8 who struggle with reading, clarifying the value of focusing on decoding, fluency, or both.
Tier 2 Vocabulary for K-6
Tier 2 vocabulary words are words that are useful and necessary across different content areas or domains, but that may not be frequently used in oral language. Christopher Such, author of The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading, has assembled a list of Tier 2 vocabulary words for explicit instruction.
Foundations for Literacy: An Evidence-based Toolkit for the Effective Reading and Writing Teacher
This resource has been compiled by a group of Canadian language and literacy experts. It is organized into three primary segments. First, it highlights the essential information educators should possess about various research types, enabling them to stay well-informed and knowledgeable about the connection between language, reading, and writing instruction. The next section focuses on…
Response to Cummins: The OHRC Right to Read Report Will Move Ontario into the 21st Century
In this article, Dr. Perry Klein responds to Dr. Jim Cummins’ criticisms of the Right to Read Report, highlighting several recommendations and positions that Cummins attributes to the report but that it does not actually contain. Dr. Klein also identifies five ways in which this report will bring Ontario’s special education policy into the 21st…
The Vocabulary-Rich Classroom
By modeling the use of sophisticated words, educators can promote students’ vocabulary growth and word consciousness. In this article, the research support for this approach is explained, suggestions are provided for how teachers might accomplish this goal, and examples are shared from teachers who have done it successfully. Don’t miss the helpful list of sophisticated…
Informational Texts Qualitative Analysis Tool
This is a rubric to support educators in analysing an informational text, and planning for instruction. It is organized around the four categories of qualitative complexity: purpose/meaning, language, structure, and knowledge. Within each category, educators will first analyze the complexity level of each category, drawing from the Literary Text Qualitative Rubric, to determine what makes this…
Literary Texts Qualitative Analysis Tool
This is a rubric to support educators in analysing a literary text, and planning for instruction. It is organized around the four categories of qualitative complexity: purpose/meaning, language, structure, and knowledge. Within each category, educators will first analyze the complexity level of each category, drawing from the Literary Text Qualitative Rubric, to determine what makes…
Morphology for Meaning: Guidance Document
Melinda Hinch, Speech-Language Pathologist at Greater Essex County DSB, has adapted morphology lessons from The Morphology Project, an open-source series of lessons developed by a group of teachers and school leaders in Australia. This is a written document to support effective implementation of the lessons.
Initial Considerations for Complexity and Cultural Relevance
This tool is intended to support educator analysis of anchor texts for both complexity and opportunities for culturally relevant pedagogy to determine whether/how to use a text and to prepare for instruction.
