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What Do We Know So Far?
The process of learning to read is complex and has been studied by many disciplines. What we need is for the science to funnel into the hands of teachers through uplifting, respectful, and strong reciprocal relationships.

Connecting the Science of Reading with the Art of Implementation

M. Kovack

Jan 1, 20233 min read

Connecting the Science of Reading with the Art of Implementation

Curiosity built around the Science of Reading? Check. How this works in the real world of the classroom? (chirping crickets) Although...

6,607 views0 comments

Science without Philosophy: What are your Pangs of Tension Today?

M. Kovack

Aug 1912 min read

Science without Philosophy: What are your Pangs of Tension Today?

I will never forget my first pang of tension as a teacher. It was 1990, and I was full of enthusiasm, eager to implement the reading...

85 views1 comment

M. Kovack

Aug 811 min read

Science without Philosophy: What are your Pangs of Tension Today?

I will never forget my first pang of tension as a teacher. It was 1990, and I was full of enthusiasm, eager to implement the reading...

104 views0 comments

12 Helpful Scripts for Word & Sentence Level Routines

M. Kovack

Feb 66 min read

12 Helpful Scripts for Word & Sentence Level Routines

First, I think it is important to distinguish between writing that we do “at the word and sentence level” (to practice spelling patterns...

538 views1 comment

"Is your Phonics Instruction Systematic, Explicit, & Cumulative? Here are 10 Ways to Make Sure It Is!"

M. Kovack

Jan 15 min read

"Is your Phonics Instruction Systematic, Explicit, & Cumulative? Here are 10 Ways to Make Sure It Is!"

In light of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read inquiry (OHRC, 2022) and the recent release of Ontario's new Language...

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When will Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) get the Traction it Needs?

M. Kovack

Aug 11, 20224 min read

When will Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) get the Traction it Needs?

TWO students in every classroom have DLD (7% of people have DLD), and it is a specific challenge with understanding and using spoken...

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The Doors are OPEN for Systemic Change - So Now What?

M. Kovack

Feb 27, 20224 min read

The Doors are OPEN for Systemic Change - So Now What?

The Science of Reading is one thing – systemic change, however, is quite another. The Ontario Human Rights Commission will be releasing...

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On your mark, get set, RISE!! A Culturally Responsive & Relevant “Readiness” Framework.

M. Kovack

Nov 1, 20214 min read

On your mark, get set, RISE!! A Culturally Responsive & Relevant “Readiness” Framework.

CfA Science Education Department (18, October, 2021). After beating my head against a brick wall trying to improve beginning reading...

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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Massive Shift in Balanced Literacy Thinking Has Begun!

M. Kovack

Mar 28, 20212 min read

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Massive Shift in Balanced Literacy Thinking Has Begun!

There is movement in the balanced literacy world. I have been waiting 30 years for a critical mass of educators to shift their thinking,...

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Nomanis - Help for Teachers & Administrators who want to Implement Change

M. Kovack

Jan 12, 20211 min read

Nomanis - Help for Teachers & Administrators who want to Implement Change

Do you want to align your practice to the Science of Reading, but don’t have support from administration? Or, are you an administrator...

56 views0 comments

M. Kovack

Nov 30, 20201 min read

Documentaries by Emily Hanford

These 4 documentaries by Emily Hanford were released by the American Public Media between 2017-2020. "There is a theory about how people...

172 views0 comments

M. Kovack

Oct 21, 20201 min read

Why we Need to be Aware of the Margins

Last week, I asked my students to demonstrate what they have been learning about Universal Design for Learning, Dyslexia, and DLD using...

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One Parent's Reading Experiment: The Purple Challenge!

M. Kovack

Oct 15, 20201 min read

One Parent's Reading Experiment: The Purple Challenge!

While it doesn't take reams of scientific research to figure this out (although we do have reams of scientific research to explain this),...

878 views0 comments

M. Kovack

Jun 27, 20202 min read

The Complete Picture

*Slightly modified from Kim (2017). Used with permission. While the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Rope are two of the most...

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Let's Slow Down a Little... Is What we are Doing Really Helpful?

M. Kovack

Jun 19, 20204 min read

Let's Slow Down a Little... Is What we are Doing Really Helpful?

As soon as our children are born, we are told to fill our home with books! Read, read, READ every chance you get! When young children...

165 views0 comments

M. Kovack

Jun 19, 20202 min read

DLD and Me!

I just had the pleasure of attending one of the most stimulating hours of professional learning I have experienced! Dr. Tiffany Hogan,...

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Scarborough's Reading Rope - The Many Strands of Skilled Reading

M. Kovack

Jun 19, 20201 min read

Scarborough's Reading Rope - The Many Strands of Skilled Reading

The Reading Rope. Scarborough (2001). Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Reading-Rope-Scarborough-2001_fig2_282550319 CC...

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M. Kovack

Jun 17, 20202 min read

The Simple View of Reading

The Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) is a foundational framework that explains two formative strands of skills that lead to...

3,547 views0 comments

New (2020) American Federation of Teachers

M. Kovack

Jun 9, 20201 min read

New (2020) American Federation of Teachers

Hot off the press! "By the year 2000, after decades of multidisciplinary research, the scientific community had achieved broad consensus...

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M. Kovack

Jun 4, 20201 min read

Keeping the "Teach" in Teacher

While systematic and explicit instruction has now found its way into mainstream beginning reading instruction conversations, the term...

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What is The Science of Reading & Why Should we Care?

M. Kovack

Jun 1, 20201 min read

What is The Science of Reading & Why Should we Care?

If you are curious about the term "The Science of Reading" and wondering if this is simply yet another fad, there is a "Defining...

279 views0 comments

M. Kovack

Apr 27, 20201 min read

What is Structured Literacy?

Structured Literacy is an approach to reading instruction that is beneficial for all students, and critical for those at risk for reading...

515 views0 comments

What Happens When Using and Understanding WORDS is a Problem?

M. Kovack

Dec 1, 20191 min read

What Happens When Using and Understanding WORDS is a Problem?

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has you covered. This section of their website lists all of the signs and...

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What Happens when Word Reading is a Problem?

M. Kovack

Dec 1, 20191 min read

What Happens when Word Reading is a Problem?

Here is Gloria. In grade three, she could not read or write anything but her name, despite above average intelligence. She has an...

80 views0 comments

What Do We Know So Far? The process of learning to read is complex and has been studied by many disciplines. What we need is for the science to funnel into the hands of teachers through uplifting, respectful, and strong reciprocal relationships.

What Do We Know So Far?
The process of learning to read is complex and has been studied by many disciplines. What we need is for the science to funnel into the hands of teachers through uplifting, respectful, and strong reciprocal relationships.