Curious about how to Make Small Changes Right Away?
CLICK HERE for a Brief Intro to the Science of Reading video, and other FREE documents and presentations that you can share with colleagues. Dr. Stollar has a straight-to-the-point way of explaining Science of Reading topics in simple and easy to understand terms.
Click here to learn what is meant by the term The Science of Reading, and to learn that Structured Literacy is more than just about decoding and spelling.
Curious about the difference between "research-based" and "evidence-based"?
In this webinar, Dr. Holly Lane, director of the University of Florida Literacy Institute, and author of UFLI, helps you distinguish fact from fiction.
Curious about the Problems with Balanced Literacy?
Listen to this engaging Melissa and Lori podcast with Pamela Snow!
Click Here to read posts by Pamela Snow at The Snow Report.
These (now infamous) Emily Hanford podcasts jump started a Science of Reading revolution. I have spent my entire career seeking out beginning reading instruction science and trying to put it into practice - facing ridicule, shame, and intense reactions along the way. These podcasts gave me, and thousands like me, the courage to break the silence about approaches that remove barriers and provide equal access to print.
RICH in content, light-hearted, guests are wise, sincere, honest, knowledgeable, and insightful. I like to watch them on YouTube while they do their podcasts.
​
Some of my favourites are Episode 80 (START HERE!), 71, 116, 92, 66, 112, 105, 109., 100 (trauma and reading)
This podcast not only addresses DLD (struggles with taking in (understanding) and expressing (using) language. It is about ORAL LANGUAGE in general.
My favourites so far are "Storytelling" (ep. 27) and "School & DLD" (ep. 24) with Pamela Snow - I learned so much!!
Just plunk on some running shoes, and pop in some earbuds! I love going for a walk and listening to any of these well-respected podcasts!
Anna Geiger, M.Ed. (a.k.a. The Measured Mom) explains beginning reading instruction topics so engagingly, you feel reassured, competent, and motivated to improve your practice right away. She helps us make small, but mighty changes.
I have confidence in her resources because they are in alignment with evidence-based practices. I don't have to go through any weeds or fact-checking here.
Anna has what it takes to make beginning reading instrucion work: Experience, Open-Mindedness, Knowledge, and Integrity.
*I had the privilege of being one of her guests in Episode 112/113 (re: oral language & DLD) :)
The Ontario International Dyslexia Association has contributed in profound and prolific ways to changing the way that we teach reading across Ontario and beyond. In this podcast, Kate Winn interviews highly regarded and influential contributors to the science of reading. Kate is a highly experienced and knowledgable teacher, and shares many practical insights into how this may all really play out in the classroom.
I just listened to Season 3, Episode 2; Reading Science Surprises with Anna Geiger (The Measured Mom), and it was terrific. Anna Geiger speaks with such wisdom and clarity.
I am so excited about the latest webinar I attended by Sara Marye.
Her presentation was called "From Strong Sentences to Solid Paragraphs: How to Explicitly Teach Writing in Upper Elementary", and it was excellent.
​
Having read (and studied in book clubs and in practice) both "The Writing Revolution" (Hochman & Wexler) and "The Writing Rope" (Joan Sedita), it was clear that Sara is gifted in taking a large body of research and information and making it easier for teachers to implement. I am still just getting to know about Sara and her work, but am very excited to dig in, learn, and share!
My favourites:
-
Season 6: Episode 1 (It's not all about Phonics)
-
Season 6: Episode 3 (Implementation)
​
Curious about the Science of Reading in the Junior and Intermediate and Senior Grades?
​
This is one of my favourite webinars by Amplify.
Mitchell Brookins not only explains why and how to teach complex texts, but he also provides VERY PRACTICAL teaching strategies. This is an extremely engaging webinar!
​
A MUST WATCH FOR EVERY jr/int/sr TEACHER!
Curious about Reading Fluency & Comprehension?
THIS IS A MUST WATCH!!
Another one of my favourites! This is an EXCELLENT video - very easy to understand.
Dr. Jan Hasbrouck explains so much in such a succinct way!
Feeling curious about how LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION fits into the Science of Reading?
Listen to Amplify's S6 E1 Podcast: The other side of Scarborough’s Rope with Margaret Goldberg
-
Keys to Literacy offers an array of training including comprehension, vocabulary, and writing
-
Keys to Literacy is also the home of Joan Sedita and the Writing Rope.
-
CLICK HERE for Keys to Beginning Reading training.
-
Although phonemic awareness is best taught along WITH letters, these are EXCELENT videos to support teachers in understanding the many facets of phonemic awareness.
It doesn't get any easier than this!
-
Only $75CAD
-
Free for students in teacher's college!
-
Engaging! LOTS of video demonstrations/practical exercises
-
Complete! Everything you need to know is covered from the very basics to morphology
-
Get together with a colleague or your team and go through it together for motivation
-
Quizzes are extremely beneficial to help you consolidate your learning
-
All proceeds go to the Ontario IDA so that they can keep doing the good work that they do!​​
-
Click Here for 10 SHORT VIDEOS (<5 min) explaining how to teach the first few basic spelling patterns
-
These are videos I did with ONLIT, Ontario's resource for teachers to support them in providing sound literacy instruction
-
Founder Dr. Marnie Ginsberg has OVER 200 VIDEOS in which she explains simple ways that we can implement more explicit and systematic reading strategies
-
Join the Reading Simplified Academy to go through a series of online modules. ​
The UFLI Foundations Teacher's Manual is something many teachers are trying to get their hands on now. Here is a link to some training videos that accompany the manual.
-
Keys to Literacy offers an array of training - not just about phonemic awareness and phonics
-
CLICK HERE for Keys to Beginning Reading training.
Nine FREE online course modules on reading, writing, and assessment.
​
SIMPLE, BASIC, AT HOME LEARNING TRAINING
The BIG DIPPERS
-
Current, engaging, thorough, and well-respected contributors.
-
5 modules - 10 hrs of content - a solid introductory foundation
Curious about Structured Literacy in General?
Margie Gillis is at the helm of Literacy How, and provides structured literacy courses for special educators, reading specialists and interventionists.
Mount Saint Joseph University is one of several universities that are now offering Masters and PhD programs in the science of reading.
CLICK HERE for IDA accredited training programs and opportunities.
​
The Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), a subsidiary organization of IDA, offers professional certificates and certifications to qualified individuals teaching and supporting reading in public and private general, remedial, and special education settings.
​
These certificates and certifications include:
CLICK HERE to find a Structured Literacy professional that offers training in your area.
CLICK HERE for Canadian trainers:
CLICK HERE to find Accredited University Programs and/or Teacher Training Programs.
CLICK HERE to learn about Online Courses.
-
One of the best places to start to build in-depth knowledge
-
Dr. Louisa Moats spearheaded the LETRS program
-
It has recently been acquired by LEXIA
-
I am not sure if LETRS is available in Canada, but you can go to this link and scroll down to INTERNATIONAL and contact someone for help.
-
I have heard many good things about LETRS training.
-
CLICK HERE to find out more about their PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
-
accredited by the International Dyslexia Assn
-
very thorough and comprehensive training - a gold standard
-
EXCELLENT FREE VIDEOS online
-
training is expensive, but I am sure well worth it
ACCREDITED by both IMSLEC (International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council) and IDA (International Dyslexia Association).
​
CLICK HERE for a link to training that is also offered ONLINE.
The MISSION OF IMSLEC is to accredit quality training courses for the professional preparation of multisensory structured language education specialists.
​
All IMSLEC training centers meet IDA's Standards for Teachers of Reading
The National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) really is a gold standard. NIFDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to:
-
Providing continuous administrative and curricular support to schools and districts as they implement Direct Instruction (DI) programs.
-
Conducting, promoting and publicizing high-quality research on the effects of DI implementations.
-
They also provide many training events and conferences.
Structured Literacy in Kindergarten?
Watch these webinars (courtesy of the Ontario branch of the IDA) to hear Ontario teachers Emily Moorehead and Kate Winn explain practical strategies for implementing Structured Literacy in play-based and inquiry-based Kindergarten classrooms.
Structured Literacy in Grade 1 & 2?
Watch this webinar (courtesy of the Ontario branch of the IDA) to hear Martha Kovack (that's me!) explain practical strategies for implementing Structured Literacy in a grade one/two classroom.
5 EASY WAYS to Level Up your Literacy Instruction!
Susan Jones has a very effective way of explaining everything that I covered in the above video. She demonstrates how she implements 5 important
​
Susan Jones has many videos that are engaging/entertaining It is just fun to see how this one teacher organizes her classroom, materials, and literacy blocks.
​
I received my training from the Scottish Rite Learning Centre in Barrie, Ontario under the supervision of Evelyn Reiss, Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Evelyn Reiss is now the principal at The Claremont School in Toronto, and provides Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy training and certification. She certified me through the Scottish Rite, as well as through Claremont School in Toronto.
This is where I started my Orton-Gillingham training. The Scottish Rite Learning Centres for Children offer FREE tutoring for children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia-related learning disabilities. The centres are run by volunteers, and they are always looking for volunteer tutors, so if you would like to volunteer at one of these centres, it is a great way to receive Orton-Gillingham training. They have nine centres across Canada.
I recently attended a presentation by Sara Marye called "From Strong Sentences to Solid Paragraphs: How to Explicitly Teach Writing in Upper Elementary", and it was OUTSTANDING.
​
Having read (and studied in book clubs and in practice) both "The Writing Revolution" (Hochman & Wexler) and "The Writing Rope" (Joan Sedita), as well as having attended several webinars about writing, it is clear that Sara is gifted in taking a large body of research and information and making it easy to understand. She very succinctly explains EXACTLY how to make writing instruction more practical and effective in the classroom.​
I am just getting to know what Sara has to offer, but this is a TERRIFIC link to have her send you (FREE) daily emails for 5 days with VERY HELPFUL resources/checklists to use for teaching students to revise their writing in ANY subject.
"DLD is a significant difficulty learning, understanding, and using spoken language. DLD is a relatively NEW term (2017) for a condition we have known about for hundreds of years." (DLD Fact Sheet, RADLD)
This 30-minute webinar was FILLED with practical strategies.
Here is the brief and EXTREMELY PRACTICAL pdf that accompanies this webinar and outines these strategies.
​
This Syntax Party series was terrific. I learned so much from Margie Gillis, and ONLIT has created all these little videos that put learning about syntax into manageable chunks. Less than 10 minutes each.
​
I am using what I learned in every lesson with my students! Simple but effective strategies that improve my practice.