Balanced and structured literacy are two different approaches to teaching reading. They have things in common, but when they're referenced in the same breath they're usually pitted against each other. I considered myself a "balanced literacy" teacher for many years. It's the approach I learned in graduate school, the approach I used as a classroom teacher, and the approach I (used to) teach on my website and in ... Read More
What is structured literacy?
Are you here to get the details about structured literacy? Let's dive in! For years I considered myself a balanced literacy teacher. And it's not really a surprise. I was in college when balanced literacy came into existence (1996). I entered the classroom during its heyday (1999). And all the coursework I did for my master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction (with a focus on ... Read More
The ultimate guide to decodable books
So ... how do you feel about decodable books? I admit it. I avoided them for a long time. I felt that decodable books were boring, stilted, and would kill a love of reading. I preferred to use leveled books with beginning readers. I thought that if I taught them multiple ways to solve words, their fluency and comprehension would be better than if they learned to read using decodable text. But I changed ... Read More
Should you use leveled or decodable books with beginning readers?
TRT Podcast#40: Should you use leveled or decodable books with beginning readers? Leveled books are predictable books with strong picture support. Decodable books feature words whose sound-spelling patterns have been explicitly taught. Which are best for beginning readers? Listen to the episode here Full episode transcript Link to original Facebook Live presentation Video presentation Check out the full ... Read More
How to teach sight words
I receive many emails from teachers and parents asking me how to teach sight words. Are you here to learn how to teach high frequency words? You're in the right place! What are sight words? Traditionally, when teachers say "sight words," they are referring to high frequency words that children should know by sight. We often define sight words as words that kids can't sound out - words like the, for ... Read More
Rethinking running records
In the past I was a strong proponent of running records. I used them every day as a first and second grade classroom teacher, and as an online educator I've often promoted their use. I felt that a running record - a visual representation of a child's reading - was a wonderful tool to see exactly where readers were struggling and to know where to take them next. But now that I've adopted a more structured ... Read More
Free decodable nonfiction readers
Why use nonfiction decodable books? Decodable books are written to feature the letter-sound patterns students have already learned. Because the words match what students have learned, they can sound them out instead of guessing. Reading decodable books builds fluency, and fluency is the bridge between phonics and comprehension. As decoding takes less effort, students have more attention left for understanding what ... Read More
Teaching preschoolers to read
We're in the golden years of parenting. Right now, in 2021, our family is between diapers and dating. And I love it. Things are still wild and crazy (and LOUD), but that's to be expected with six kids ages 5-13. I admit that I don't miss the Exhausted Years ... the years I had a preschooler, baby, and toddler all at once. I can't count how many times I pushed a shopping cart with a baby seat in the cart, ... Read More
What’s wrong with three-cueing?
TRT Podcast#39: What's wrong with three-cueing? I never thought I'd be sharing an episode about what's wrong with three-cueing. After all, I've spent decades prompting kids to think about what makes sense, sounds right, and looks right when solving words! Listen to find why I (finally) changed my approach. Listen to the episode here Full episode transcript Link to original Facebook Live presentation Video ... Read More
What the science of reading is based on
TRT Podcast#38: What the science of reading is based on There are a lot of questions about what the science of reading truly is. Is it from a journalist? Is the science brand-new? How do we know that we can trust it? In today's episode I'll share the particulars! Listen to the episode here Full episode transcript Link to original Facebook Live presentation Video presentation Check out the full science of ... Read More