Unlocking the Science of Reading: How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Reading
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Unlocking the Science of Reading: How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Reading

As the summer months approach, parents often wonder how they can support their child’s reading progress during the break from school. The science of reading provides valuable insights into the foundational skills necessary for reading success. By understanding the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, parents can empower their children to become…

Language at the Speed of Sight
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Language at the Speed of Sight

Mark Seidenberg’s 2017 book, Language at the Speed of Light explains how human brains learn to read and how educational instructional practices can support this complex process. By highlighting the decades of the science of reading, Seidenberg explains the gap between the science and current educational practices.  He also offers suggestions for how teachers can…

Orton Gillingham Lesson-Part 2
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Orton Gillingham Lesson-Part 2

In the first part of an Orton Gillingham lesson we practice phonemic awareness, blending, and letter-sound correspondence. After that, it is crucial that students review and reinforce previously learned skills.  The student must also learn new information and practice this new skill in their reading and writing. Concepts taught and reviewed cover ALL strands of…

Structured Literacy Instruction
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Structured Literacy Instruction

Structured literacy is getting a lot of well-deserved attention. Researchers in the areas of reading, psychology, speech and language pathology, neuroscience, and education all agree. Although there may be more than one way to TEACH reading, there is only one way that the human brain LEARNS to read. The majority of students learn to read…

Myths About Phonics Instruction
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Myths About Phonics Instruction

PHONICS INSTRUCTION There are long-standing myths about phonics instruction. Keeping these myths alive (and thus keeping phonics instruction from our students!) undermines a student’s reading acquisition. As educators, we must constantly look to the current research and adjust our instruction accordingly. Remember, although there are many different ways to TEACH reading, science continually reminds us…

Decodable Books- What are they and why should we use them?
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Decodable Books- What are they and why should we use them?

The debate is over. Reading words by attending to all of the letter-sound correspondences is how our brain learns to read efficiently. This is not new science, nor is it a pendulum. This is over 40 years of research. The science tells us that students need to focus on the letter-sound correspondences (word reading) to…