Shifting the Balance Online Class
for 3-5 Teachers
A flexible course for teachers of 3-5 readers (and beyond) who are ready to focus on complex phonics patterns, fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge, comprehension, and a love or reading.
January 13 – February 23
(With access through April 6)
Ready to Make Learning to Read Easier for Your Developing Readers?
Register NOW, and Your PO Can Come Later!
Graduate Credit Now Available
What You Will Learn
How to Keep Success Going for All Readers
What does research really say about helping children navigate the transition into more complex texts?
What does knowledge have to do with reading comprehension and how do we help children develop it?
Which reading strategies are truly important for students to learn and what is the best way to teach them?
How do I know what specific vocabulary words are worth teaching and how do I best teach them?
What do I do if children arrive in the upper grades without all the necessary foundational skills?
How do I deepen word recognition skills by drawing on morphology (bases, roots, and affixes)?
What are the components of reading fluency and how can students best practice them?
How do I select worthwhile texts for different instructional purposes?
How do I revise my reading workshop to be more science-aligned?
And much more!
100% Money-Back Guarantee
We want everyone who takes a class from us to be satisfied.
Therefore, if, after completing the first two modules – but before beginning the third module – you find the class is not meeting your expectations, simply send us an email with your feedback and we will send you a refund for your full purchase price.
It’s that simple. You deserve professional learning that works for you.
This offer is good for the first 30 days of the twelve-week course.
This course is for you if…
- You teach developing readers (of any age) and you are trying to make sense of reading research.
- You want to apply the most current science about how the brains of beginning readers develops, but you feel overwhelmed by it all. There’s so much to know!
- You want to be a teacher who really “gets” how to teach beginning reading, so you can make the most of the programs and tools at your disposal.
- You’re district has purchased a new program, but you still find that some children are not making the progress you had hoped.
- You’ve learned some things about the reading science of teaching beginning readers, but you are struggling to translate the theory into practical application in your classroom.
- You’ve been shifting to more explicit foundational skills instruction, but you are worried that you are still missing something.
- You value responsive teaching, but you are worn down by claims that teachers are doing “everything wrong.”
- You are tired of the “reading wars” and just want to find ways to help more beginning readers be successful.
We know you!
You’re busy teaching the developing readers in front of you.
You don’t have time to read all the research out there.
But you still need to make sense of the science so you can make the best decisions for the students you work so hard to support.
You want to understand the science and what it means day-by-day for your students.
You want to make informed use of the programs, tools, and other resources at your disposal.
You know that fluency, background knowledge, vocabulary, and word reading skills are essential for beginning readers, but you also know that there is more to teaching reading than rote learning and boring texts.
We’ve designed this course to support you in making sound decisions anchored in the best of science, the truth of responsiveness, and a relentless focus on teaching both word reading skills AND comprehension.
What You’ll Get
For EARLY BIRD pricing of $299, Regular pricing of $329 or 4 payments of $86 you will get:
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A 6-Week Course with 6 Learning Modules
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6 bonus weeks of 24/7 access
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Complete shift-by-shift guidebook for bridging research to action
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Video, audio, PDF tools and more
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Closed Captioning Available on all Videos
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1 Live Q & A and Connection Session with the authors via Zoom
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Flexibility to learn at your own pace and when it fits into your busy schedule.
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Certificate of Completion for 24 CEU hours
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100% Money-Back Guarantee
Enjoy 6 Learn-At-Your-Own-Pace Content Modules!
Class 2:
Extending Your Learning
Shift 1: Reconsidering How Knowledge Impacts Comprehension
As we did in the beginning reading course with the first Shifting the Balance book (Course 1), we begin this class by thinking about meaning-making. In this module you will learn about the relationship between knowledge and reading comprehension. While exploring this relationship, you will learn helpful reading models for understanding how comprehension happens. We will untangle 4 critical misunderstandings about comprehension in the information age. And in the second part of the module, we share 5 high-leverage instructional routines for you to try out as you work to help your students build knowledge in intentional ways.
Shift 2: Rethinking the Role of Strategy Instruction in Learning to Comprehend
In Module 2 we extend our conversation about meaning-making by diving into the important role of reading strategy instruction. You will learn which reading strategies are best supported by reading science, including a teacher- and student-friendly illustrated tool. You will explore the role of text selection when it comes to planning lessons that teach readers to engage these strategies. Along the way, we unpack 5 common misunderstandings about teaching reading comprehension strategies. This module also shows you 5 high-leverage routines, or teaching moves, that you can use immediately to teach reading comprehension strategies in more powerful ways.
Shift 3: Recommitting to Vocabulary Instruction
In module 3, we explore the connection between vocabulary knowledge and comprehension and use reading science to untangle 6 common misunderstandings about vocabulary instruction. You will learn how to select words to focus on in a text and which ones deserve explicit instruction. You will leave this module with some new vocabulary around vocabulary instruction! We also present 9 high-leverage teaching moves that will help you teach vocabulary all the way across your day, from implicit instruction to explicit lessons on morphology, roots, and affixes. Vocabulary instruction does not have to look like the boring routines of yesteryear!
Shift 4: Reclaiming Word-Reading Instruction in the Intermediate Grades
Few children arrive at upper elementary with all the word recognition skills they need under their belts. Module 4 takes on the challenge of word recognition instruction for older students who are “behind” in foundational skills AND those who are making “grade-level” progress–two very different needs. You’ll learn about the “Filling-the-Gaps Challenge” and the “Moving Forward Challenge” as we unpack 5 misunderstandings about word recognition instruction for older and/or more proficient readers. We’ll share 6 high-leverage routines to help you meet the challenges of word recognition instruction for groups with diverse needs.
Shift 5: Revisiting Fluency Instruction
In Module 5, we zoom in on fluency starting with an exploration of the fluency-comprehension connection. Across 4 common misunderstandings, we consider the key components of fluent reading and debunk some well-intentioned, but not-so-helpful common practices that actually work against fluent reading. The high-leverage teaching moves that wrap up this module will give you a collection of 9 sound, practical and engaging teaching moves. You will leave this module with new insights into the importance of fluency in reading comprehension and engaging ways to support its development.
Shift 6: Reimagining Independent Practice in the Literacy Classroom
In Module 6, we synthesize the learning across the book to reimagine independent reading and writing practice. We dive into the conflicting science about independent reading and unravel 6 common misunderstandings about the kinds of reading (and writing) practice we offer students. From selecting texts, to text levels, to dedicated time, you’ll leave this module with a lot to think about! The module closes with 8 high-leverage instructional moves that will help you redesign your independent reading time. In this closing module, we will also guide you through some reflection and synthesis. This will be your opportunity to pull together your learning across this entire class and craft a cohesive plan of action that is aligned with science and keeps joyful instruction front and center.
Are you ready?
Are you ready to take an honest second look at current practices?
Are you ready to strengthen the bridge from research to practice in your classroom?
Are you ready to make the most of a foundational skills program you are required to use?
If so, we hope you’ll join to bravely consider the question, “What needs to shift?”
Meet Your Instructors
Jan, Kari, and Katie are all experienced educators and consultants. They have deep roots in elementary education and share a passion for supporting students (and their teachers) in all stages of reading and writing development by providing professional learning experiences and teacher tools.
Both the books and the online classes are designed to help you make decisions about which common practices might need revision in light of reading science so that you can make learning to read easier for your students.
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Read FAQ DocumentSee what other educators are saying about the Shifting the Balance books.
The science of reading isn’t just for the primary grades! In their clear and readable style, Cunningham, Burkins, and Yates examine the research and show teachers of grades 3–5 exactly how to apply it. With zero judgment and endless encouragement, the authors will inspire teachers to rethink current practices and make research-based decisions to help every student. , Host of the Triple R Teaching podcast and creator of The Measured Mom website
Cunningham, Burkins, and Yates clarify misunderstandings, summarize the research in an accessible way, and provide suggestions for what they call high-leverage routines to help teachers enhance their instruction and support students’ growth as readers. Thoughtful, well-researched, and teacher-friendly, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to explore how to implement effective literacy instruction for readers beyond grade two.
Ready to Save Your Seat for the Next 3-5 Class?
Interested in Bringing the Online Class to Your Whole School or District?
We Offer Customized School or District Packages That Include:
- A class cohort designated to your school/district and exclusively for your teachers.
- A customized schedule, including dates that can extend beyond the standard 12 weeks of access.
- Free customization consultation to identify the best timing and plan for rolling out your course.
- Access to all course content for the duration of the course, including videos, audio recordings, and downloadable PDFs.
- License to flexibly use the course content in faculty meetings, grade-level team meetings, PLCs, and other professional development settings (with paid participants).
- Leadership team coaching session to support the implementation of the ideas from the class in your context (included with 40+ seats).
- Option to purchase up to two one-hour Q&A sessions with an author exclusively for your school or district.
- Learn more here.
Learning is more fun in a group!
Sharing the journey with a team deepens understanding and enhances implementation.
Request More Information
Fill out this form and we will be in touch to answer any questions about our custom options and discounts for bringing our Shifting the Balance 3-5 class to your whole school or district.
Or write to us at [email protected].
