by Jan and Kari | Jul 27, 2024 | Blog, Language Comprehension, Vocabulary
We’re confident you’re already familiar with Turn and Talk; it’s perhaps one of the most widely known yet underutilized instructional strategies. But given its simplicity and power, we wanted to invite you to brush up on this classic and maybe sprinkle in a few new...
by Jan and Kari | Apr 21, 2024 | Blog, Language Comprehension, Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension Can’t Happen Without Language Comprehension Lately, we’ve noticed that some small but mighty practices for supporting language development aren’t showing up so much in classrooms. These instructional moves are ways to teach vocabulary or language...
by Jan and Kari | Apr 13, 2024 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Language Comprehension, Phonics, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
Systematic and Explicit Phonics Instruction is a big deal, but . . . Everywhere we go these days, teachers are working hard to provide more explicit and systematic phonics and word study instruction. This is part of an effort to ensure that the students get...
by Jan and Kari | Jan 27, 2024 | Blog, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Vocabulary
In this post, we offer a simple Morphology Lesson Planning Template that provides a systematic approach to integrating morphology instruction into your classroom. When you consider vocabulary instruction, probably the first thing that comes to mind is teaching...
by Jan and Kari | Mar 30, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
We love finding a Netflix or Prime series that we can count on – one that gives us something to think about after watching as well as something to look forward to in the next episode. In the same way, we hope that you find this “Decodable Text: Questions and...
by Jan and Kari | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Strategy Instruction, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
Last week, we shared 5 adjustments that can help you bring small-group instruction for early decoders more in line with your other shifts to early literacy instruction. If you missed it, you can find that post here. We hope that you have taken some time this week to...
by Jan and Kari | Jan 20, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Meaningful Independent Practices, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Strategy Instruction, Vocabulary, Word Reading Instruction
What about small-group instruction? What changes in light of new learning? What stays the same? If you’re like many of the educators we work with, questions like these are top of mind as you consider shifts to more brain-friendly literacy instruction for early...
by Jan and Kari | Oct 18, 2022 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Language Comprehension, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
Today’s post introduces the final component of our Explicit Phonics Lesson Template. Your readers have made it to the finish line. They’re ready to read connected text! Having navigated the previous components of the template, you’ve provided a supportive base for...
by Jan and Kari | Jun 30, 2022 | Blog, Knowledge Building, Language Comprehension, Video, Vocabulary
Words! Oh, wonderful words.Serendipity, keen, disparate, convivial, camaraderie, eclectic, gratuitous, inveterate–and the list goes on and on (and on!) We are definitely lovers and learners of words ourselves, and we know you are, too! Word learning is for...
by Jan and Kari | Jun 25, 2022 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, High-Frequency Words, Language Comprehension, Literacy Leadership, Meaningful Independent Practices, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Prompting & Feedback, Word Reading Instruction
If you are a teacher or literacy interventionist struggling to: assess students in meaningful ways, provide more effective differentiated instruction, manage the diverse needs of your students with limited time, or find the instructional resources you need (like...