Click here for an extensive list of links to decodable books and decoding games
Dandelion WORLD series Stages 1-7
Dandelion WORLD series Stages 8-15
Dandelion WORLD series Stages 16-20
The Dandelion WORLD series is terrific for beginning readers!
These Catch-Up Readers are terrific for 8-14+ year olds!
These "Catch up readers" are so effective for my Gr. 4 (and up) students, some of them cannot wait to learn the next spelling pattern to be able to read the next book.
I LOVE the "catch up" readers because they have:
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engaging and more mature storylines (for junior grades and up)
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high quality vocabulary and sentence structure, so lots to discuss
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several series that work in the exact the same way and have the exact same structure (which makes students feel safe and confident):
1) Read the word lists that contain the targeted spelling pattern
2) Read the vocabulary (they read the word & I read the definition)
3) Read the 4 short "chapters" - something students can count on
S.P.I.R.E. Decodable Readers
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Tried, tested, and true simple decodable readers
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Easy to purchase Amazon or full SPIRE program here.
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6 Sets/2 sets per set (so, Set 1A/1B, Set 2A/2B, Set 3A/3B, etc).
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Note that these are not perfect, so for some books, there are not nearly enough words for students to get lots of practice. For the "qu", for example, (Set 2A and 2B, there are only 3-4 "qu" words, and the words chosen were really difficult (e.g., squelch, squid).
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BUT... Set 1 & 2 are excellent for beginning readers
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AND...Set 5 & 6 have very engaging and important content knowledge. They love learning about sharks and molecules and the Titanic, and King Tut!
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Also good for online learning as it is so EASY download the Kindle App, then purchase these on Amazon.
FREE online decodable texts (just text - no pictures)
I do not like the initial stories as they are not very engaging for beginning readers, but the more advanced texts are good for reinforcing more advanced patterns.
Words are counted so you can measure fluency and see if students can 'beat their score' in repeated readings.
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These are my favourite decodable books for very beginning readers.
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Written by Nora Gaydos, these stories are cute and make sense, and they help children read with fluency due to lots of repetition.
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For online tutoring for very beginners, I download the Kindle App, then purchase these on Amazon for $0.99/set of 10 books!
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I use these all the time to make sure that my students are getting enough practice reading words with the new spelling pattern I am teaching
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Particularly helpful with advanced spelling patterns
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Canadian author from Ontario
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Scope & sequence is slow and makes sense if working with students with dyslexia
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Lovely real photos
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Includes multisyllable words (decodable with knowledge of syllable division)
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Includes words to practice the 3 main spelling rules
These Australian decodables are now distributed through The Reading League in Canada and the US.
I haven't used them, but if The Reading League is distributing them, they must be good!
Expensive.
FREE ONLINE decodable books! CLICK HERE for link.
Many of these free online books are not totally decodable (e.g, for the book targeting a_e/ai/ay, there are words like "diagram", "illustrate", etc. - all very difficult to read for children just learning about the "long a" spelling), but I like the storylines. They are more authentic. I just underline the words they cannot read and read them for them.
CLICK HERE for a link to these authentic decodable readers:
CLICK HERE for a scope & sequence I created that roughly matches these decodables.
These are good decodables, which is ironic, because Journeys is best known for 'balanced literacy' approaches. They were FREE to download in pdf which made it very simple to use, but now you have to pay $125 for the hard copies. :(
I like them because:
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they sound like authentic stories (except the first couple, which is challenging as students have only been taught a couple of patterns)
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illustrations and characters are varied, which makes it seem more authentic
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variety of fiction and non-fiction
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"cumulative" nature of the spelling patterns in these stories is very good (consistently reviews previously learned patterns)
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several stories give students practice in the same spelling pattern, so lots of fresh opportunities to read books with the same pattern
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scope & sequence makes total sense to me
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keep in mind that they do not build much knowledge
CLICK HERE to download the pdf files - I do not know whether these are available or not - I can't get a straight answer from the company. :(
CLICK HERE to purchase in hard copy.
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum
A 35-week curriculum of daily phonemic awareness lesson plans. Spending this amount of time as a large group every day is not necessary for most students, but as a program, I think it is helpful to support teachers in understanding more about PA.
There are a couple of things that I wish they would change though. For example, using "eggs" for the "short e" sound is not helpful. Many of my students hear the "long a" sound at the beginning of the word 'egg'. Similarly, using "igloo" for "short i" is confusing. My students hear a "long e" sound at the beginning.
Click Here for a link to some great videos that explain everything about PA.
A MUST HAVE.
Written by Dr. David Kilpatrick
Includes an easy-to-use Phonological Awareness Assessment.
Copyright © 2016 by David A. Kilpatrick,Ph.D
CLICK HERE to download FREE and SIMPLE assessment called The PAST TEST.
Sound Skills Rainbow Choice Board for Families
This is an extremely practical one-pager that will help any teacher, parent, or caregiver support children's phonological awareness in easy, fun, and playful ways!
Thanks to Kim Lockhart for creating and sharing this!
New Video of Webinar with Dr. Susan Brady (2022)
Susan Brady: Phoneme Awareness: What We Now Know
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Use the scope & sequence of whatever reading or writing program you are using.
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As an Orton-Gillingham Teacher, I use several scopes & sequences (see below), and individualize them for the students that I provide intervention for.
CLICK HERE for FREE Orton-Gillingham resources (card decks, student desk cards, LESSON PLANS, scope and sequence for each grade, etc.).
FREE Code Pack on Google Slides:
Just "Make a Copy" and then add/change/delete what you need!
This code pack is one I created, but I change the order slightly depending upon my students' needs, and the way I am going through the scope & sequence for my students.
See one-pager of a scope & sequence here:
CLICK HERE for my "Purple Pages" (3 pages)
(just another example of a scope & sequence - but with detailed explanations)
And CLICK HERE for a CODE CHART I created as another example of how we can organize our teaching around a scope & sequence.
Easy, practical, tried, tested, and true.
This is a must-have simple book with the scope & sequence on the inside cover for easy reference. It also contains:
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explanations for each spelling pattern
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word lists
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sentences
WORD LISTS (www.neilramsden.co.uk)
Very easy! All words in order of length automatically!
Just type in the spelling pattern you want and up pops a list!
So easy! You can use the Word List link above and just scroll down to find multisyllable words. OR, click on this link!
The UFLI Foundations Manual has:
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word lists for reading
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words lists for spelling words
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word-chaining word sequences
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sentences that contain spelling patterns
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very easy - all words are there for you
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classic book with simple scope & sequence on the inside cover
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word lists for each spelling pattern (and even some ideas for introducing new patterns).
It lists every spelling pattern imaginable.
Be sure to read pages 1-28, and every teacher and administrator everywhere should read APPENDIX C.
CLICK HERE to find BRIEF Reading Passages on any knowledge topic imaginable (by grade level).
Ideal for the "Partner Reading - Paragraph Shrinking" whole class reading intervention outlined in the videos under "Looking for Classroom Language Arts Programs?" below.
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wall cards with real photos/images
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teacher's guide
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simple, effective, useful every day
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$60-$125US/set
This Keys to Literacy website has a simple little introduction to morphology (prefixes, roots, suffixes), and includes some links to word lists (free resources but you must sign up as a free member).
Fun classroom activities for teaching morphology!
Morphology PowerPoint Lesson Plans for the junior & intermediate grades ($6.99 AUS) each.
Easy-to-use, practical, and inexpensive digital resources. Written by speech pathologists with a special (and personal) interest in Developmental Language Disorder.
Ron Yoshimoto resources are terrific and included in any training you take with him. I love his approach to teaching morphology. It is simple and understandable.
CLICK HERE for morphology cards.
This short 2-minute video explains the 3 layers of English in a SIMPLE and easy-to-understand way. I LOVE it!!!
I use these 3 jars all the time to explain where different words "fit" as we read and write.
FREE! 40 Morphology Lessons
This supplemental, targeted reading intervention program was developed by Dr. Jessica Toste and her colleagues at The University of Texas at Austin and includes research-based instructional practices to support students’ multisyllabic word reading development. There is evidence that the 40-lesson Word Connections program improves reading outcomes for students in the upper elementary grades (3rd to 5th grades). Specifically, the program has been tested with students identified as with or at-risk for reading disability. Students who participated in the intervention showed greater gains in word reading and decoding, reading comprehension, spelling, and accurate reading of both isolated affixes and multisyllabic words.
I loved this anchor chart - what a terrific resource! Click on the document for the pdf.
TXReads has many worthwhile resources and information to explore!
*Full Disclosure:: I am the creator of these games.
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No prep needed - ready to use right out of the box
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Minimal explanation - simple rules for instant play
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Easy to play - students grasp the game quickly
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Highly engaging - ideal for partner/small group work
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Decks are real playing cards, with wild cards, miss your turn, etc.
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Created by experienced structured literacy teacher
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Tried, tested and true for over 25 years!
"One of my Fifth grade boys has struggled with Reading ever since he began school. After a few months of playing the games a few times a week, his reading drastically improved. When I talked with him about it, he said, “Ms. Wheeler, it’s those crazy games. I have learned more about reading from those card games than anything else.”
Joan Wheeler, ESE Resource Teacher
Ormond Beach, Florida
"I have been using these cards forever! Kids enjoy the game and don't even realize they're getting phonics learning to stick.”
Dr. Marnie Ginsberg
Reading Simplified
Listed on the Reading League’s Decodable Text Resources page.
UFLI Foundations is an explicit and systematic foundational word reading program.
It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence for K-1.
The program is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade. It includes videos and all support materials. View these videos to see how to implement lessons:
CLICK HERE for the $70 Teachers Manual ($Canadian or $US - shipping is $40 CAD)
CLICK HERE for the Toolbox of FREE Resources!
- LANGUAGE! Live was developed by internationally renowned literacy expert Louisa Moats, Ed.D., lead author of LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional development and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers about the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation.
- For struggling students in grades 5–12
- Blends foundational skills AND comprehension, engaging students in authentic text
Outstanding Video! So practical!
(2 hours): The science behind this.
Lindsay Kemeny makes everything seem manageable! Visit her YouTube channel. And her Literacy Talks podcast (with Reading Horizons), and her Blog.
(1 hour) The practical implementation behind this.
Is most of your Gr. 2-8 class behind?
Need an intervention for your whole class?
Watch these videos to learn how to improve achievement in as little as 2 weeks.
CLICK HERE to find BRIEF Reading Passages on any knowledge topic imaginable (by grade level). Ideal for the "Partner Reading - Paragraph Shrinking" whole class reading intervention outlined in the videos above. .
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I have not had personal experience using this program, but I have heard such good things about it.
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Extremely practical, effective, efficient, and cost-effective program for K-2 decoding
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Teachers enjoy using it.
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Terrific results with student writing!
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FREE assessments online.
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FREE videos you can view
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Excellent FREE webinars.
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I have not had personal experience using this program, but I have had a walk-through of it with someone who purchased it.
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Includes Google Slides for not only PA and Decoding, but Vocabulary, Syntax, Fluency, and Comprehension too
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Video demonstrations
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Lots of easy scripts for teaching writing (finally - someone who makes subject/predicate/adverbial phrases EASY to teach!!)
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Many purchase options (see pic on left)
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Some really engaging looking games and activities
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Best part is the comprehension and writing lessons
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You can purchase something for $25/mth, or the whole kit and kaboodle for $1000 (including personal coaching!)
CORE KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGE ARTS (CKLA) (US Based, so US History Topics)
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Complete Language Arts program FREE for K-5 (but training is so key)
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Training is excellent
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Includes a rich language component
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Combines knowledge building with literacy knowledge instruction
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CONTENT-RICH programs result in SIGNIFICANTLY better reading achievement - particularly for disadvantaged students
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Helps students gain broad general knowledge
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Top rated by Ed Reports.
*Teachers in Canada would have to supplement with CANADIAN history content, but this is still an excellent example of a knowledge-building curriculum.
Dr. Marnie Ginsberg has been helping thousands of teachers and parents since the 90s. She has a wealth of knowledge, and helps teachers through PD and through hundreds of videos and her Reading Simplified Academy.
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Teaching adults? CLICK HERE!
- This is a Philadelphia-based grassroots initiative that is dedicated to helping adult non-readers achieve the basic skills needed to cope with the text in their everyday lives.
- FREE program booklet that explains everything
- Videos included (see links on the right)
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simple, explicit, comprehensive, multisensory decoding program
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initially for grades K-2, as well as word study materials grades 3-6
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BUT... the Philadephia adult reading program also uses this in their "It's Never Too Late" reading program for adults
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this program has been around for a long time and is tried, tested, and true
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it has approval from What Works Clearinghouse (with reservations, but still)
I think this is the PERFECT book to use with teachers in training, and to use for a BOOK CLUB for every teacher everywhere.
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The Writing Revolution's mission is to enable students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to develop writing skills, read critically, and think analytically
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explicit set of evidence-based strategies for teaching writing across all content areas and grade levels
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I think this is the only book we need to teach writing in all subject areas! It is easy-to-understand, easy to use, and includes a terrific scope & sequence (p. 244)
CLICK HERE to purchase the book ($36 CAD, $20US)
CLICK HERE for courses ($1000 per educator)
The Grammar Project/The Syntax Project
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FREE PowerPoint Lesson Plans!
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ENGAGING, SIMPLE, & EASY TO USE!
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Take the Prep Work out of Grammar Lesson Planning!
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Complete Lessons for EACH GRADE (including kindergarten!)
CLICK HERE for Access to Lessons
Syntax is I am currently participating in a Syntax series with Margie Gillis (through the Ontario IDA), and this is her 2018 book (along with Nancy Eberhardt).
This is training I wish I had had YEARS ago. So critical and helpful for students. We can scaffold THE WHO and THE DO (subject & predicate), and help our students oral AND written language.
Big Sentences by Little Learners: Emergent Syntax & Grammar
These fun and easy-to-use slide decks were created and generously shared by Melinda Hinch, a Speech-Language Pathologist from Ontario. Each deck follows a scope and sequence of syntax and grammar structures, and uses an explicit “I do it, We do it, You do it” framework to build syntax through engaging, explicit oral instruction. Perfect precursor to The Syntax Project slide decks for grades 1 and up (see above)!
I recently attended a webinar by Sara Marye, and it was outstanding. Sara has a way of explaining exactly what we need to know to teach writing across all subjects. Her resources are simple, valuable, time-saving, (some are free), and in alignment with The Writing Revolution/The Writing Rope. I really liked this free 5-day email series - it contains VERY practical information and resources. FREE.
Although The Writing Revolution includes a TERRIFIC and easy to manage scope and sequence for writing instruction on page 244-248...
This is another more detailed WRITING Scope & Sequence developed by the MTSS and Literacy team at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and national writing experts.
This is a Kindergarten - Grade One multi-sensory, explicit instructional writing program that uses the plan, talk and write format.
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Systematically and directly instructs students through the writing process.
CLICK HERE to purchase the book ($39US)
CLICK HERE for FREE Online Courses!
CLICK HERE for FREE Classroom Video Lessons!
FREE resources, including:
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morphology instructional routine templates
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note-taking guide
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sentence combining
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sentence level skills
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I have not had personal experience using this program, but I have had a walk-through of it with someone who purchased it
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Includes Google Slides for their Writing Program
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Video demonstrations
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Easy scripts for teaching writing (finally - someone who makes subject/predicate/adverbial phrases EASY to teach!!)
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Many purchase options (see pic on left)
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Some really engaging games and activities
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Comprehension and writing lessons
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Something like $25/mth, or everything for $1000 (including personal coaching!)
I have not used this program, but I just don't think you can go wrong with Louisa Moats. She is an outstanding and reknowned researcher, and highly respected.
CLICK HERE for a link to this document that includes links for everything you see on these shelves here.
Melanie Brethour, founder of Soar with Dyslexia has lots of resources and information for parents and teachers.
The practical examples in this book bring the science to life, and organize language & literacy into manageable pieces. Every sentence inspires me to re-read and ponder, re-read and create, and re-read and seek out more knowledge.
The Knowledge Gap (Natalie Wexler, 2019)
I could not put this book down. It is such a thorough, insightful, and practical read, and it gave me hope for what really needs to happen (past quick and accurate decoding) to make reading instruction, and school in general, more equitable. I learned so much, and changed my practice immediately.
CLICK HERE to read a blog by Andrew Jones that I thought was a terrific summary of Natalie Wexler's book.
Hands down the most practical and valuable book to learn how to teach students to write. Simple. Effective. Practical.
The ABCs and All Their Tricks
This simple inexpensive little reference book will answer any question about phonics, spelling, syllables, the history of English spelling, and more.
Be sure to read p. 1-26 and Appendix C for SUCCINCT explanations of the most important aspects of systematic & explicit phonics instruction.
A MUST HAVE. It will sit on your desk forever.
CLICK HERE for a TERRIFIC Booklist created by Empowering Writers.
75 High-Quality Children's Book Recommendations
CLICK HERE to view The Reading League's list of recommended books - many of which are considered (or will be considered) classics in the field of reading instruction.
Francophone Phonemic Awareness Program
“I can't recommend these lessons enough! I used them during our morning literacy block for 5-10 minutes a day. When we first started, I saw a good handful of students who really struggled with the more basic phonemic tasks. After explicit instruction and guided practice, the improvement was not only visible to me but to the students.”
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Grade 1/2 French Immersion teacher
CLICK HERE for Morpho+
Cette ressource permet de faire découvrir aux enseignants, aux orthopédagogues, aux parents et aux élèves une dimension de la langue française qui est importante pour apprendre à lire et à écrire : LA MORPHOLOGIE !
Click Here and Scroll Down for VERY easy to understand chart
Acadience® Reading is the new name of the DIBELS Next® literacy assessment. It is the same DIBELS assessment authored by researchers Dr. Roland Good and Dr. Ruth Kaminski.
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One-minute oral reading fluency (ORF) measures
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3 Benchmark reading passages (and scoring guide) for EACH GRADE from K-8 for the beginning, middle, and end of year.
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20 Progress Monitoring reading passages to chart and monitor progress between Benchmark assessments (they even provide the little chart so you can see your students' progress.
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Remember that Oral Reading Fluency is simply a 'thermometer reading" of how students are doing on a particular day.
In just 5-7 minutes, Really Great Reading's complimentary diagnostic decoding assessments answer these key questions: Which students are struggling with decoding? What types of words are they struggling with? What is the source of the underlying confusion?
Tried, Tested, and True.
IMSE has engaging FREE resources (and also pre-made, no prep lessons that you can purchase).
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Engaging posters
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LIVE virtual training and coaching
This is where I got my MAGNETIC LETTERS - foam, black outline, lowercase.
Lots of other "letter tiles" too.
Click Here for Teaching Tips - very thorough, but easy to understand explanations of everything from the 3 major spelling rules to tips for teaching wiggly readers - lol!
Sound walls aren't necessary, but these pictures for mouth articulation are great and could be helpful for helping students differentiate vowel sounds. I personally would not make a vowel valley as it would not be in the same order that I want my students to learn the spelling patterns.
I love the graphics on this "Structured Literacy" home page.
NOTE:
I do not use many "teachers pay teachers" resources as I keep my lessons simple and focused (we re-read, do a visual & auditory tracing/printing drill, practice blending, play a game to practice the new pattern, print words (with the new pattern), print sentences (with that pattern), and read decodable text (with the new pattern, plus previous).
I mostly use cue cards, my Google Code pack, letter tiles, a student notebook, and a pencil & eraser. But when I find a game/activity that my students love (mostly Wordwall.net games), I use it when learning a new pattern.
These "Explode the Code" workbooks are terrific.
I love their scope and sequence. The activities are the same each time, so it creates 'safe' space for students. I use these books to come up with sentences for games and writing. Two levels: Numbers 1-8 are the original - more basic. Numbers 1 and a half, and 2 and a half, etc. are a little more advanced (but same scope and sequence).
CLICK HERE for Books you can use ONLINE or for PURCHASE in hard copy.
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Nessy is a company from the UK.
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I use some of their worksheets with my students because they are really engaging.
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Many worksheets are VERY EASY TO TURN INTO GAMES.
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Many worksheets are really useful as reinforcements.
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However, Nessy is not an intervention. It is a great supplement.
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For students who struggle, they need INTERVENTION WITH A KIND AND EXPERIENCED STRUCTURED LITERACY TEACHER.
(minute 3:15 - 4:30)
My students love this for card flipping blending practice (go to "Randomness") and for Memory Games. I think that I can share my games (I have hundreds on there) if you give me your email and I add your name to my
FABULOUS site!! I use this all the time.
search bar.
I have created hundreds of games for almost every spelling pattern. ALL FREE to use with a Wordwall subscription.
Subscribe to Wordwall, click on "Collaborate" at the very top, and then type "Martha Kovack" to find my group.
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Lexia Learning is a popular digital-focused program.
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It is a SUPPLEMENT to a good structured literacy program.
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But for students who struggle with reading and are not getting good support at school, they "HATE IT" (I have heard this first-hand several times).
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It is NOT a substitute or an answer to give to struggling readers.
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They need INTERVENTION with a kind/patient experienced/qualified structured literacy teacher.
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If LEXIA is being used in your school, the principal and superintendent in your board can easily monitor how much the teacher is logging on to support the students, and follow up with teachers to make sure that they are teaching the spelling patterns that the students are practising on Lexia.
"Once Upon a Word is packed with easy-to-understand definitions and awesome word origin stories. With this dictionary for kids, you can understand the history and meaning of English words, improve your vocabulary and spelling, and learn to play with language."
Click Here and search for the word origin of any word!
First 50 Lessons (for student with VERY high need for repetition)
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This is a series of my lesson plans for a student (gr. 4) with profound dyslexia/memory challenges.
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It is and Structured Literacy-based way to teach decoding and spelling.
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This student could not read (or attempt to read) anything (not even "the" or "and").
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These lesson plans are an example (not the only way) of how to help students who need a LOT of repetition, and a LOT of support (also, they are far from perfect and do not include my notes)
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This is how to scaffold so that there is enough repetition to build mastery before moving on.
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There was so much more to helping him succeed than just these lesson plans (i.e.: the "how").
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This student is still reading (after 70 lessons) in a choppy manner, but he is reading. And has confidence in his ability to read (even multisyllable words).
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Please note that these are bare bones simple plans - most likely useful for word lists/sentence lists.
It doesn't get any easier than this!
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Only $75CAD
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Free for students in teacher's college!
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Engaging! LOTS of video demonstrations/practical exercises
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Complete! Everything you need to know is covered from the very basics to morphology
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Get together with a colleague or your team and go through it together for motivation
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Quizzes help you consolidate your learning
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All proceeds to back to the Ontario IDA so that they can keep doing the good work that they do!
This is a very practical book. Ontario teacher Sherrie Rain's expertise is a great example of what happens when the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and decades of experience with profoundly struggling readers all blend together!
$29.99CAD
The title says it all.
I was an Early Literacy Specialist with the Ontario Early Years system for 16 years, and since I worked with mostly families and child card providers of birth to 3 year old children, I learned a LOT about the critical nature of oral language development and its connection to later literacy success (mostly from the Speech-Language Pathologists I had the privilege of working with!
Here is a webinar presented by the authors.
"Accelerate Language Comprehension with the Strive-for-Five Framework: Science of Reading in Practice, Part 3"
Big Sentences by Little Learners: Emergent Syntax & Grammar
These fun and easy-to-use slide decks were created and generously shared by Melinda Hinch, a Speech-Language Pathologist from Ontario. Each deck follows a scope and sequence of syntax and grammar structures, and uses an explicit “I do it, We do it, You do it” framework to build syntax through engaging, explicit oral instruction. Perfect precursor to The Syntax Project slide decks for grades 1 and up (see above)!