Shifting the Balance: The Online Classes
Transform Your Reading Instruction. Without Overwhelm.
Flexible, on-demand online classes to help busy K–5 educators align their reading practices with the science — and make learning to read easier for all students.
July 14 – August 24
(With access through October 5)
Class 1: Beginning Readers
Class 2: Developing Readers
Class 1: Beginning Readers
POs can come later — reserve your spot now!
Graduate Credit Available
What You’ll Learn in Each Class
These classes are grounded in science but focused on practice. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and tools you can apply the very next day.
Class 1 (K–2): How to Get Readers Off to a Strong Start
- What the science really says about beginning reading instruction
- How to teach decoding without creating “word callers”
- The truth about sight words and how the brain stores them
- Strategies to make foundational skills stick and support comprehension
- Choosing the right texts — yes, even decodables!
- And much more!
Class 2 (3–5): How to Keep Readers Moving Forward
- Helping students tackle more complex texts with confidence
- Building knowledge to boost comprehension
- High-impact vocabulary strategies that actually stick
- Supporting older readers who still need decoding help
- Moving beyond fluency drills to fluent, meaningful reading
- And much more!
We Know You’re Doing Your Best —
And You Deserve Tools That Work
These courses are for you if...
- You’re a teacher, coach, or leader working to make sense of the evolving conversation about reading — without feeling like you have to abandon everything that’s worked.
- You’ve picked up some pieces of reading science but need help connecting the dots in real, practical ways.
- You’re open to rethinking, even if it means facing a little discomfort — because what matters most is doing what’s best for your students.
- You want classroom practices that are both science-aligned and responsive — and you’re looking for a path that makes it all feel doable.
- You’re busy. You don’t have time to read every book or paper. But you still want to understand what the research says — and how to use it.
- You don’t want extremes. You just want honest, grounded, effective reading instruction.
- That’s exactly why we made these classes — to give you tools that work, grounded in research, filled with heart, and designed for real classroom.
BEGINNING READERS
Typically K-2
DEVELOPING READERS
Typically 3-5
Each Class Includes 6 Practical, Research-Informed Modules
Class 1:
Getting Starting
Shift 1 - Rethinking How Reading Comprehension Begins
By design, Module 1 kicks off the course focusing on meaning-making, beginning with a deep dive into why learning to read is not natural for the human brain. Along the way, you’ll learn about the brain’s language processing systems, the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and the critical role of oral language development in later reading development. We’ll untangle four critical misunderstandings about the origins of reading comprehension in light of the science. And finally, we’ll offer seven high-leverage instructional routines for you to use as you rethink and prepare to revise current practices.
Shift 2: Recommitting to Phonemic Awareness Instruction
In module 2, you will learn the whys and the hows behind helping students develop phonemic proficiency. We’ll unpack five common misunderstandings that can get in the way of effective phonemic awareness instruction. You’ll learn which phonemic awareness tasks are most important to teach. We’ll also help you bridge the science into practice with seven high-leverage instructional routines you can rely on immediately. From studying a phonemic awareness progression to practicing a full range of essential exercises for beginning readers, this module will boost your expertise and confidence in phonemic awareness instruction.
Shift 3: Reimagining the Way We Teach Phonics
In Module 3 we explore what “explicit and systematic phonics” really means. We’ll begin by clearing up five of the many misunderstandings about how to teach the alphabetic code that is our English language. You will come away understanding the relationship between the way you teach phonics and the way children organize phonetic information in their brains. You will learn a progression of phonics acquisition and how to pair this progression with formative assessment to inform instruction that leads to mastery. Finally, you’ll learn simple but high-leverage instructional routines that position you to plan targeted, effective, and engaging instruction.
Shift 4: Revisiting High-Frequency Word Instruction
Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about teaching sight words! This module will challenge you to rethink sight word instruction from the inside out! You will ultimately learn to depend on a magical (and science-informed) word learning strategy that maximizes the brain’s four-part processing system. Module 4 introduces the concepts of orthographic mapping and lexical quality, and shows you X practical ways to leverage these powerful insights into the reading brain to make learning any words easier for children. We feel confident you’ll leave this module equipped with new understandings and excited to rethink high-frequency word instruction.
Shift 5: Reinventing the Ways We Use MSV (3 Cueing Systems)
Push-back against the three-cueing systems centers around how we teach and prompt students to respond at the point of difficulty when reading. In Module 5, we’ll take an honest look at what can (and has) gone wrong when we teach children to rely on picture cues, language structures, or contextual guessing rather than relying on print as a primary source of information. Then we’ll suggest a reinvention of our prompting priorities to align with what science suggests beginning readers need from us. You’ll leave this module with a fresh appreciation for maximizing orthographic processing opportunities for beginning readers.
Shift 6: Reconsidering Text Selection for Beginning Readers
In this final module, all of the learning from the previous modules comes together to support the critical task of text selection and its connection to foundational skills. We’ll examine the strengths and weaknesses of both patterned and decodable texts and show you how aligned texts can become the missing link between instruction and the application of beginning reading skills. In the high-leverage routines, you will learn X instructional moves that will help you find and use the best texts for the readers in front of you. In this final module, we’ll also support you in synthesizing your learning from across all six shifts, putting it together into a cohesive plan of action that is aligned with science and keeps joyful instruction at the center.
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.
Who Are These Classes Designed For?
These classes are for educators who support beginning and developing readers — especially those who may not have gotten off to a strong start.
Thousands of teachers, coaches, and school leaders have already taken these courses to guide real, lasting shifts in their instruction.
- Classroom teachers
- Reading interventionists
- Special education teachers
- Instructional coaches
- Building Principals
- Curriculum and staff development leaders
- District administrators
“Shifting the Balance gave me permission to keep what’s working, while also showing me what to rethink. It was so reassuring and energizing. I walked into my classroom the next day with a plan and more confidence.”
“I finally feel like I understand how to support kids who missed something the first time around. This class helped me blend foundational skills with meaning-making in a way that clicks.”
“I used to think the Science of Reading didn’t apply to my 5th graders. Now I realize it’s exactly what some of them needed — especially those still struggling with fluency and word recognition.”
“The course helped me lead literacy conversations with more clarity and compassion. It gave my staff a common language and a starting point for real change — without overwhelm.”
“This class helped me coach without judgment. It gave me language, tools, and routines I can share with teachers right away. My staff feels more confident and less defensive.”
“We’ve brought Shifting the Balance to 10 of our elementary schools. The impact has been real — teacher buy-in, student progress, and deeper discussions about instruction.”
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Everything you need to bridge research and practice — on your own schedule.
- A 6-Week Course with 6 Learning Modules
- 6 bonus weeks of 24/7 access
- Complete shift-by-shift guidebook for bridging research to action
- Video, audio, PDF tools and more
- Closed Captioning Available on all Videos
- 1 Live Q & A and Connection Session with the authors via Zoom
- Flexibility to learn at your own pace and when it fits into your busy schedule.
- Certificate of Completion for 24 CEU hours
- 100% Money-Back Guarantee
100% Money-Back Guarantee
We want every educator who joins our class to feel supported, empowered, and satisfied.
If you complete the first two modules — and decide it’s not what you expected — we’ll give you a full refund. No hassle, no hard feelings.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete Modules 1 and 2
- Decide before beginning Module 3
- Email us with your feedback within 30 days of your course start date
- We’ll refund your full purchase price
It’s that simple. You deserve professional learning that works for you.
No stress. No risk. Just real, supportive learning.
Meet Your Instructors
Jan and Kari wrote the first Shifting the Balance book for teachers of beginning readers of any age (although the examples in this book are written with the K-2 classroom in mind). They are also the instructors of Shifting the Balance: The Online Class 1.
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.
Still Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
View FAQs
Bring This Learning to Your Whole School or District
Want to create lasting literacy change across classrooms? We offer flexible, high-impact online classes built to support teams at every stage of the journey — whether you’re just getting started or working to deepen implementation.
Each custom package includes:
- A private class cohort for your team (20+ participants)
- Flexible start and end dates, with up to 6 months of access
- Six learning modules (video + downloadable tools)
- License to use content in PLCs, team meetings, and more
- Leadership consultation to support your rollout
- Access to pre-scheduled Q&A sessions (or optional private Q&A with Jan or Kari)
Curious about packages and pricing? Learn more.
Small school or group? We offer options for groups under 20 as well.
Let’s bring your team together around clear, actionable, science-aligned literacy instruction.
Request More Information
Use this form to request more information about our custom options for bringing Shifting the Balance: The Online Class to your whole school or district.
Or write to us at CustomerService@thesixshifts.com.
