Independent Practice
Explore articles, free downloads, and practical instructional resources to support meaningful independent reading practice.
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Book Choice Reflection Tool
A reflection tool to help students consider challenge, interest, and purpose as they make thoughtful book choices.
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Text Difficulty Weight Lifting Metaphor Tool
Choosing the right text matters. The Text Weight Guide helps students understand how the difficulty of a text affects their...
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7+ Tools to Help YOU Make Learning to Read Easier for Students (Including a Lesson Template for Scaffolding Orthographic Mapping)
Find tools for assessing, planning, and providing responsive reading instruction, including a lesson template designed to support orthographic mapping.
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Go Deeper, Together
The Six Shifts taught by Kari and Jan, with classroom video and practical routines.
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Shifting the Balance: Developing Readers
Grades 3–5 teachers, coaches, and teams strengthening upper-elementary reading.
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Shifting the Balance: Beginning Readers
K–2 teachers, reading specialists, coaches, and teams supporting beginning readers.
Explore the online class →Tools & Classes for Teaching Independent Practice
Explore classroom tools and professional learning designed to support independent practice instruction.
Shifting the Balance: Developing Readers
Grades 3–5 teachers, coaches, and teams strengthening upper-elementary reading.
Explore the online class →Shifting the Balance: Beginning Readers
K–2 teachers, reading specialists, coaches, and teams supporting beginning readers.
Explore the online class →The Shift in a Nutshell
In Shifting the Balance (Grades 3–5), Shift 6, “Reimagining Independent Practice in the Literacy Classroom,” names a common practice to reconsider: “We assume that self-selected, independent reading practice is meaningful because students are compliant, quiet, and busy.” The shift it recommends: