Welcome to Our Blog
Inviting Writers Into the Process: Three Strategies for Increasing Access
Author & Elementary Writing Coordinator Melanie Meehan explains how she makes the writing process more accessible to students who are struggling.
Trusting Emergent Readers
Literacy consultants Hannah Schneewind & Jennifer Scoggin discuss the importance of developing students’ reading identities.
Restorative Reading for Educators
Enhance the reading experience to soothe the body, spark the mind, and connect readers together.
Calling All Coaches: Consider Small Language Moves for a Big Impact
If you are a coach, teacher leader, principal or other administrator, you may not fully realize how your language impacts each educator in your school community.
Getting to Know Your Readers
Observational assessment, in the form of a benchmark reading conference, is a good way to begin the journey of teaching literacy in the new school year.
A World of Songs, Poems, and Nursery Rhymes
Have you considered the many benefits of using songs, nursery rhymes, and poetry in your classroom? Here are some recommendations as you get started.
Growing as Educators: Making the Shift to a Culture of Professional Learning
The shift from “professional development” to “professional learning” implies a thoughtful design that is part of the school’s shared vision, values, and beliefs.
Teaching Readers (Not Reading): Peter Afflerbach Discusses the Role of Motivation, Engagement, and Metacognition
Looking back on the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, researcher and educator Dr. Peter Afflerbach discussed the importance of instruction that moves beyond skills and strategies.
Carl Anderson: Teaching with Mentor Texts
Reflecting on the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, educator and author Carl Anderson spoke about how a well-crafted text can model strong writing for students.
Word Study: Pairing Joy and Purpose with Pam Koutrakos
Looking back at the recent Summer Literacy Institute at Lesley University, educator and author Pam Koutrakos discussed how to combine joy and purpose while teaching word study.
Upcoming Professional Development
The New Benchmark Assessment System 2.0 (System 2, Levels K-Z)
In this two-day institute learn how to use BAS 2.0 to pinpoint students’ reading behaviors and instructional needs with word-solving, fluency, and comprehension.
The New Benchmark Assessment System 2.0 (System 1, Levels A-P)
This two-day workshop will help you learn how to use the new BAS 2.0 system to pinpoint student strengths and needs as readers, including oral reading behaviors, fluency, comprehension, writing about reading, and phonological awareness and early phonics skills.
Engaging Vocabulary Instruction That Works for Grades 3-8 (Complimentary Webinar)
Join us for this 60-minute complimentary webinar filled with practical ways to make vocabulary learning fun, deepen word understanding, and empower students to use new words with confidence.