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Differentiated Instruction

Best Practice for RTI: Small Group Instruction for Students Making Minimal Progress (Tier 3)

After reviewing the research, the What Works Clearninghouse recommends that in tier 3 of Response To Intervention, schools provide provide intensive instruction on a daily basis that promotes the development of the various components of reading proficiency to students who show minimal progress after reasonable time. It also provides some specific features that should be considered in carrying out this recommendation.
Elementary teacher giving a student a high-five for encouragement

Best Practice for RTI: Universal Screening

According to research, the Education Department’s What Works Clearinghouse finds that the first step in using Response To Intervention to help early elementary-aged students learn to read is to screen all students and regularly monitor students who are at elevated risk of reading problems.
Best Practices in Reading: A 21st Century Skill Update

Best Practices in Reading: A 21st Century Skill Update

For years, the field of reading education has been engaged in thinking about best practices. Explicit instruction in vocabulary, rereading and using digital textbooks to motivate children’s reading are among some of these updated best practices. Those in the reading community are urged to consider best practices, and how we may promote their uses, with high fidelity in classroom instruction.

Young boy in striped short and knit cap reading book at library

Beyond Books: Library Services for Children

Most people think of their public library solely as a source for books. However, libraries have many services and programs that can help children or the people who care for them. Learn what services libraries are likely to offer for preschool and school-aged children.
Beyond the Story Map

Beyond the Story Map

Inferential comprehension requires both emotional intelligence and cognitive skills, however instructional comprehension strategies typically underemphasize the emotional contribution. This article documents an intervention used by diverse third grade students which centers on teaching story comprehension through character perspective-taking (i.e., Theory of Mind).

Young Latina student smiling in the classroom at her desk

Bilingual Students With Disabilities Get Special Help

There are many children who are eligible for both special education and English as a Second Language instruction, but few models exist for how to serve these children well. Learn about a program in Clark County, Nevada in which dually trained teachers provide overlapping instruction to meet both these needs.
Book Swap for Kids

Book Swap for Kids

Consider organizing a book swap for your neighborhood or block. It can be a simple afternoon undertaking, or with more time and effort, a fun event that will become an annual tradition!

Boys and Books

Boys and Books

The statistics are consistent: Young male readers lag behind their female counterparts in literacy skills. This article looks at the social, psychological, and developmental reasons why, and suggests solutions — including the need for more men to become role models for reading.

Brain Breaks: An Evidence-Based Behavior Strategy

Brain Breaks: An Evidence-Based Behavior Strategy

Brain breaks are quick, structured breaks using physical movement, mindfulness exercises, or sensory activities. Learn how to use this strategy andwhy it works, and see it in action. A printable “brain break” bank is also provided.

Young boy looking at camera with his chalk drawing in the background

Bridging My Two Worlds

Jill Lauren’s That’s Like Me! is a book about 15 students with disabilities who face challenges in school but express their creativity and talents through hobbies. In the foreword, excerpted here, children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney describes growing up with two personas: Jerry the gifted artist and Jerry the struggling reader.

Bright Ideas for Back-to-School Night ... and Beyond

Bright Ideas for Back-to-School Night … and Beyond

It’s time to head back to school. And while kids are stuffing their backpacks with new school supplies, we’re packing a different sort of bag here at Reading Rockets — one filled with resources to help make one of the most important evening events of the school year really sparkle — back-to-school night.

Building Background Knowledge

Building Background Knowledge

To comprehend a story or text, young readers need a threshold of knowledge about the topic, and tougher state standards place increasing demands on children’s prior knowledge. This article offers practical classroom strategies to build background knowledge such as using contrasts and comparisons and encouraging topic-focused wide reading.

Building Reading Stamina

Building Reading Stamina

Reading stamina is a child’s ability to focus and read independently for long-ish periods of time without being distracted or without distracting others. Find out how you can help your child develop reading stamina.

3 elementary students writing on flip chart in social studies unit

Building World Knowledge: Motivating Children to Read and Enjoy Informational Text

Exposing young children to informational text early on can help them to handle the literacy demands of fourth grade and beyond. Practical instructional techniques can be used to promote understanding and enjoyment of informational texts. The three techniques described here — Text Impression, Guiding Questions, and the Retelling Pyramid — can help children become familiar with the language and structure of non-fiction books.

Building Your Child’s Vocabulary

Building Your Child’s Vocabulary

Talking to and reading with your child are two terrific ways to help them hear and read new words. Conversations and questions about interesting words are easy, non-threatening ways to get new words into everyday talk. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Captioning to Support Literacy

Captioning to Support Literacy

One motivating, engaging, and inexpensive way to help build the foundational reading skills of students is through the use of closed-captioned and subtitled television shows and movies. These supports can help boost foundational reading skills, such as phonics, word recognition, and fluency.

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