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 | Mar 20, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, High-Frequency Words, Literacy Leadership, Word Reading Instruction
In the last couple of blogs, we’ve unpacked these three questions about decodable texts: Who really needs decodable texts, anyway? What is a decodable text, really? How many decodable texts do I need? If you missed those posts, you can catch up here and here. As...
by Jan and Kari | Feb 24, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Literacy Leadership, Word Reading Instruction
Last week we launched a series focused on questions and answers about the very hot topic of decodable texts. We explored what decodable texts are, why they are important, and who really needs them. You can revisit that post here. This week we are thinking about your...
by Jan and Kari | Feb 17, 2023 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Literacy Leadership, Meaningful Independent Practices, Word Reading Instruction
Decodable texts! Conversations about them seem to be popping up everywhere these days!If we’re honest, we have to admit that we both started this journey with a whole bunch of baggage that left us feeling more than a little bit leery of decodable texts. But more 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 | Nov 15, 2022 | Blog, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
Have you ever set out to make a big purchase like a washing machine (TV, car, computer), only to discover that you don’t know enough about the two options to make an informed decision? Chances are you’ve been there. You’ve been standing on the sales floor of...
by Jan and Kari | Nov 11, 2022 | Blog, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
After our last blog series exploring each component of our Explicit Phonics Lesson Template, we knew we had to revisit one component in particular: Explicit Skill Practice. In our initial post about this lesson component, we looked at the focused skill practice from...
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 | Oct 7, 2022 | Blog, Decodable Texts, Fluency, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading Instruction
We’ve all had them! The kind of days when you just need to call a teacher friend on the way home from school to talk to someone who just “gets it.”This is your person! The one who offers a listening ear, offering empathy, and encouragement. And the great thing about a...
