Developing Strong Readers:
Strategies for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills (K-2)
Teaching early readers phonological awareness and phonics is of paramount importance as it lays the foundation for their reading success. Phonological awareness, the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, is a crucial skill that helps children understand the sound structure of words. Phonics, on the other hand, teaches the relationship between sounds and letters, enabling children to decode words and read with accuracy and fluency. By explicitly teaching these skills, educators empower young readers to develop strong foundational skills, unlocking their ability to read independently and comprehend written text effectively. This professional development series equips educators to implement evidence-based strategies and provides the necessary knowledge and tools to explain the "why" behind district or school-adopted foundational skills programs.
Program Objectives
Understanding the Research
Participants will explore the foundations that underpin effective phonological awareness and decoding instruction. They will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of phonological awareness in reading acquisition and the impact of explicit decoding instruction on reading proficiency.
Phonological Awareness Instruction
Educators will learn research-based strategies and activities to explicitly teach phonological awareness skills, such as phonemic awareness, syllable segmentation, and phoneme manipulation. Participants will understand the developmental progression of these skills and how to scaffold instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Decoding Strategies
Participants will explore evidence-based decoding strategies, including phonics instruction and word attack skills. Educators will learn how to systematically and explicitly teach letter-sound correspondences, blending, segmenting, and other decoding strategies to develop students' ability to decode unfamiliar words accurately.
Linking Research to District/School-Adopted Programs
This session will focus on connecting the research and theoretical foundations to the district or school-adopted programs. Educators will gain insights into how the chosen programs align with the research and how to effectively implement and maximize the impact of these programs in their classrooms.
Assessment and Progress Monitoring
Participants will explore formative and summative assessments to measure students' progress in phonological awareness and decoding skills. They will learn how to use assessment data to inform instruction, provide targeted interventions, and monitor individual student growth.
Differentiation for Diverse Learners
The program will address how to differentiate phonological awareness and decoding instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. Educators will learn how to modify instructional strategies, provide additional support, and scaffold learning for English language learners, struggling readers, and students with learning differences.
Program Components
Presentations
Participants will receive a comprehensive understanding of the research and evidence-based strategies related to phonological awareness and decoding skills.
Research-Based Discussions
Participants will engage in facilitated discussions and collaborative activities to delve deeper into the research and its implications for instructional practices. Educators will have the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and explore how the research aligns with their district or school-adopted programs.
Classroom Application
Educators will have the opportunity to apply research-based strategies and instructional approaches in their own classrooms. Through guided practice sessions, participants will gain experience and receive feedback from consultants.
Reflection and Planning
Participants will engage in reflection activities to connect the research to their instructional practices. They will develop plans to implement evidence-based phonological awareness and decoding strategies, taking into account the specific needs and context of their students and classrooms.
Developing Strong Readers: Strategies for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills provides educators with the research, theoretical foundations, and evidence-based strategies to effectively teach phonological awareness and decoding skills. By participating in this program, educators will gain the confidence and expertise to understand, support, and implement district or school-adopted programs and positively impact their students' reading abilities.