CLICK HERE to receive a FREE quarterly e-newsletter from the Reading League. Or, become a member of The Reading League and receive a hard copy of their journal three times a year.
One way to stay current with trusted scientific research, and how to put this research into practice.
CLICK HERE for a link to the Ontario branch.
CLICK HERE for a link to the main International branch.
By becoming a member of the IDA, you will receive:
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Perspectives: A quarterly periodical
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Annals of Dyslexia: A semi-annual peer-reviewed research journal
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Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal - free online access
CLICK HERE for their Virtual Teaching Resource Hub with lesson templates and sample lessons and videos.
DLD is Developmental Language Disorder.
Students who struggle with receptive & expressive language (understanding and using language) have DLD. (7% of people). The DLD Project distributes evidence-based information, resources and training. Click on the right for the International DLD Research Conference presentations.
The Ontario Branch of the IDA has a good explanation of what decodable texts are, and the difference between these and "levelled readers" that are typically used in schools. CLICK HERE for a link to this page on their website.
CLICK HERE for a scope & sequence that roughly matches these decodables, including dates from September to June!
These are good decodables, which is ironic, because Journeys is best known for 'balanced literacy' approaches. FREE to download in pdf.
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 (constantly reviewing previously learned patterns)
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several stories that give students practice in the same spelling pattern, so lots of fresh opportunities to read books with the same pattern
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they are FREE online
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easy to use and access
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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 online - download the pdf files.
CLICK HERE to purchase in hard copy.
These are the series I have:
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Alba Series
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Magic Belt Series
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Totem Series
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Rescue Series (more advanced)
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Moondog (free to download)
The "Catch Up" decodable books from this company are so effective for my Gr. 4 - adult students, some of them cannot wait to learn the next spelling pattern to be able to read the next book!
I love these 'catch up readers' because:
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they have engaging and mature storylines (for older struggling readers)
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they contain high quality vocabulary and sentence structure, so lots to discuss
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there are 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 list (they read the word, and I read the definition);
3) There are always 4 short "chapters" - something students can count on.
CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD FREE digital copies of one of their series!
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Tried, tested, and true decodable readers
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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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I am not a fan of their scope and sequence, and 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.
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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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High interest and completely decodable
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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
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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
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.
Click Here for the Scope and Sequence
CLICK HERE for the home page.
SCROLL DOWN to see everything! Good value.
These books come with matching workbooks too.
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:
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CLICK HERE for Simple Words Books by Cigdem Knebel
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Good for older struggling readers who want to read chapter books
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For online tutoring, download the Kindle App and purchase on Amazon.
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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Just 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, 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 Primary Code Pack on Google Slides:
Just "Make a Copy" and then add/change/delete what you need!
This code pack is one I created that roughly matches the free Journeys decodable series.
See one-pager of a scope & sequence here:
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. One of the team's studies (Toste et al., 2019) was reviewed by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) in December 2021. The study met WWC standards without reservations and the program was reported to show promising evidence of effectiveness.
*Full Disclosure:: I am the creator of these games.
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Need some games structured by spelling pattern?
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Games for students to play while you work with small groups?
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Games that support word-level reading AND oral language at the same time?
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These card games are so engaging, students ask if they can play even during free time!
CLICK HERE for:
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25 decks of cards organized by spelling pattern
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Download, print, & play
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3 sets (out of 5) are available in hard copy/ready made
CLICK HERE for:
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cvc Board Games
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Roll & Read Games
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BINGO & Boom Games
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Download, print, & play
*Full Disclosure:: I am the creator of these games.
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.
UFLI Foundations is an explicit and systematic foundational word reading program.
It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence.
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. MUST VIEW to know how to USE!
I have heard from teachers who have used this and found that half of their students weren't 'getting it'. This is likely to do with needing more training and knowledge about foundational word reading (e.g. structured literacy).
CLICK HERE for the $70 Teachers Manual ($Canadian or $US - shipping is $40 CAD)
CLICK HERE for the Toolbox of FREE Resources!
Outstanding Video! So practical!
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.
(2 hours): The science behind this.
(1 hour) The practical implementation behind this.
Lindsay Kemeny makes everything seem manageable! Visit her YouTube channel. And her Literacy Talks podcast (with Reading Horizons), and her Blog.
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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.
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. .
EXCELLENT book geared to help Grade 4-8 teachers provide explicit, high-quality writing instruction.
Includes many templates, handouts, and other resources (available for download).
CLICK HERE to purchase.
This is me after getting my copy in the mail - I was SO excited!
It is so new, it is ©2023!!
CLICK HERE for the PaTTAN 2022 Literacy Symposium presentation with author Joan Sedita.
Fabulous professional development webinar ABOUT WRITING. This is not just about writing. It is about the best way we can also improve reading, & critical and creative thinking.
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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
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The Writing Revolution's mission is to enable students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to develop writing skills, as well as read critically and think analytically, so they will have enhanced opportunities to succeed in school, in the workplace, and in life.
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They provide training in the Hochman Method, an explicit set of evidence-based strategies for teaching expository writing across all content areas and grade levels.
CLICK HERE to purchase the book ($36 CAD, $20US)
CLICK HERE for courses ($1000 per educator)
Step Up to Writing:
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includes embedded professional development videos;
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compatible with any core curriculum
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supports writing instruction across all content areas
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multisensory, explicit, and systematic approach
I reviewed some of the videos and they were not very engaging for the students (too many (scripted) words used in explanations (which is extremely difficult to understand for students with DLD or ADHD and it was not very fun or motivational. HOWEVER, with some creativity, this is an easy fix. I appreciated the organization and resources. The strategies are easy to understand and effective.
CLICK HERE to download overview.
CLICK HERE for six strategy activities to support K–12 writers.
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!
This book explains when and how to teach handwriting, spelling, foundational skills such as sentence formation and editing, and composition in specific genres. It is systematic & explicit, and addresses assessment, differentiation, and supporting struggling writers.
CLICK HERE to order (Approximately $32).
Excellent book with step-by-step strategies to help students who struggle with writing and/or expressive language skills like DLD.
CLICK HERE to order ($40US).
CLICK HERE for a
WRITING Scope & Sequence developed by the MTSS and Literacy team at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and national writing experts.
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.
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.
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.
CLICK HERE for a TERRIFIC Booklist created by Empowering Writers.
Contains 75 high quality children's book recommendations.
CLICK HERE for francophone resources
The video is directed at parents and teachers of children in junior- and senior-kindergarten for French first language, and Primary levels for French as a second language instruction, and special education teachers.
NEW!! 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 online slide bundles, including for morphology (Latin prefixes, roots, suffixes, Greek combining forms). Engaging posters for reading strategies. See poster to the right!
This is where I got my MAGNETIC LETTERS - foam, black outline, lowercase.
Lots of other "letter tiles" too.
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.
All things Sound Walls.
(good real photos for mouth articulation)
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.
Kindergarten Cue Card - FREE download
A little resource I created many years ago to help teachers/ECEs help children start off on the right foot with learning about sounds and letters. Includes lots of playful ideas to learn about the alphabet. Click on the pic to download.
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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.
My students love this for card flipping blending practice (go to "Randomness") and for Memory Games.
FABULOUS site!! I use this all the time.
If you want to use games I have already created (all free with your WordWall subscription), click on "Community" at the very top, and then type (SoundReaders.com) in the search bar. search bar.
I have created games for almost every spelling pattern.
My "go to" for helping students 'build words", word chaining, and uploading all of my personal games that I have on my desktop (and game pieces!).
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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.