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kindergarten teacher helping students make the sounds in words

Phonemic Awareness Instruction

Alphabetics is a term for the letter-sound elements of learning to read, including phonemic awareness and phonics. In this summary, find out what practices for teaching alphabetics have been proven effective by research.

three middle school boys discussing a text they are reading in class

Reading 101 for English Language Learners

Get the basics on how to support the literacy achievement of your English language learners. You’ll find instructional strategies based on the five components of reading as well as oral language and the role of students’ home language.

Photo by Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages

Meeting the Challenges of Early Literacy Phonics Instruction

Meeting the Challenges of Early Literacy Phonics Instruction

“Learning to read can, at times, seem almost magical,” Blevins begins this brief on phonics instruction. “But it’s not magical.” In this brief, the author provides a clear description of what phonics is and why it matters. Although phonics can be taught in different ways, research supports instruction that is explicit and systematic. In addition to being explicit and systematic, strong phonics instruction has the following seven key characteristics: readiness skills, scope and sequence, blending, dictation, word awareness, high-frequency words, and reading connected text.

young teacher reading a professional book in library and taking notes

Books About Reading, Writing, and Instruction

Browse our collection  of books to help you continue to deepen your knowledge about reading, writing, and effective classroom instruction. You’ll also find books on reading motivation and reading aloud to children. 

elementary teacher working with a small group of students in class

What Is Evidence-Based Instruction?

Evidence-based means using classroom practices based on clear and convincing proof from well-designed research and data analysis. Find out what to look for in identifying best practices.

Elementary boy in yellow plaid shirt taking a test

Best Practice for ELLs: Screening

Studies show that screening English language learners for abilities in phonological processing, letter knowledge, and word and text reading will help identify those who are progressing well and/or who require additional instructional support.
Structured Literacy Instruction: The Basics

Structured Literacy Instruction: The Basics

Structured Literacy prepares students to decode words in an explicit and systematic manner. This approach not only helps students with dyslexia, but there is substantial evidence that it is effective for all readers. Get the basics on the six elements of Structured Literacy and how each element is taught.

What Science Offers Teachers of Reading

What Science Offers Teachers of Reading

Review well-established scientific findings about reading and their practical implications, for children with and without reading disabilities. In addition, consider some broader ways that science may be useful to educators and get suggestions for individual teachers interested in becoming more familiar with scientific research on reading.

elementary teacher working one-on-one with female student

Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Dyslexia

Learn the basics about Structured Literacy and how it helps children to decode words in an explicit and systematic manner. This approach not only helps students with dyslexia, but there is substantial evidence that it is more effective for all readers. 

elementary teacher in lively conversation with students who have hands raised

Establishing an Effective Reading Program

In this webcast, literacy experts G. Reid Lyon, Timothy Shanahan, and Charlotte Parker talk about research-based reading instruction and discuss how schools and districts can choose the best reading programs.

Phonics: Introduction

Phonics: Introduction

The goal of phonics instruction is to help children learn the alphabetic principle — the idea that letters represent the sounds of spoken language — and that there is an organized, logical, and predictable relationship between written letters and spoken sounds.

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