The number one reason for switching to decodable running records is that they allow you to assess and target your students’ reading skills in a way that aligns with the Science of Reading. Decodable running records are IN! Leveled running records are OUT! Are you frustrated with leveled running records? As long-time proponents of the Science of Reading, we were too! Those who follow the Science of Reading know that leveled readers do not serve our students. Like us, you genuinely want to help your students but you lack Science of Reading-aligned options. Look no further! As literacy specialis ..read more

How can I help my students understand the difference between trick words and decodable words? ***Updated 2024 to adhere to current research related to the Science of Reading*** After learning the letter names and sounds in isolation, emergent readers begin to use the alphabetic principle to decode closed syllable words (i.e. words that follow the CVC syllable pattern) such as: cat, dog, and lip. Initially, these readers often over-apply the closed pattern to every word they encounter.  Emergent readers may read like as lick or chop as /k/…/hop/.   At this initial stage of reading, i ..read more

  Decodable Texts are a Necessary Tool  What’s so magical about decodable texts? Supporting systematic phonics instruction with decodable texts provides the opportunity for children to truly read with independence.  After students are taught a specific phonics concept, they must then apply this learning to connected text.  Students need to know that the code they learn during phonics lessons can and should be applied directly to their reading.   To meet with reading success, repeated opportunities to practice code are non-negotiable.  Systematic, sequential ..read more

A common-sense approach to the Science of Reading and literacy instruction is an essential part of being an effective educator. First and foremost, this approach requires that teachers adapt to the evolving nature of the Science of Reading. Following the science means being comfortable with discomfort. For the good of our students, we must embrace change as a sign of progress and improvement. If educators can learn to accept the nuances of the Science of Reading, perhaps we can stop the all-or-nothing, black-and-white thinking, and halt the pendulum swing once and for all. #1 – The Science of ..read more

The letter y is an important letter and there’s a lot to know about it. We’ve culled through several credible writings on this letter (resources included at the end of the post) and have carefully chosen the most salient points for discussion. What sounds does the letter y represent? The letter y is a very versatile letter. It has different sounds depending on where it is located in a word. When the letter y appears at the beginning of a word, it acts as a consonant. Examples of words with y as a consonant are yellow, yawn, and yet. Y also acts a vowel when it occurs in the middle or at the e ..read more

Proponents of the science of reading realize leveled running records are flawed, but we also know decodable running records provide a wealth of information. You just have to know what to look for. There has been a lot of discussion about how to determine students’ mastery of foundational skills. We’ve written extensively about assessing essential reading skills in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second/Third Grade. These posts address standardized and non-standardized measurements of isolated skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency. However, the purpose of this post is to focus ..read more

How do you choose the most important literacy tools for your classroom? I mean, classroom wish lists – we all have them. When budgets are tight, the discerning teacher understands that it is important to prioritize when it comes to ordering classroom supplies. Assuming that you have the basics such as pencils, paper, and decodable books, the items listed below can take your teaching to the next level and keep students engaged. Please note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links! Here’s what our classroom wish list looks like: Literacy Tools to Support Phonemic Awareness We love, love, love ..read more

The vowel-consonant-e syllable is also known as a silent-e syllable or a magic-e syllable. It is important because it is one of six syllable types. As we have discussed in previous posts, every syllable must have at least one vowel. This particular syllable type has two vowels and follows the pattern, vowel-consonant-e. The two vowels work together to make one vowel sound. It includes words such as, like, froze, place, and flute. Why does the silent e pattern seem so difficult for my students to grasp? This syllable type requires students to have the capability of holding onto the letter sequ ..read more

As the science of reading evolves, and we learn more about dyslexia and how people learn to read, common myths about dyslexia fall by the wayside. Dyslexia is a common and widely misunderstood learning disability that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It’s crucial to dispel the myths surrounding dyslexia to promote better understanding, support, and inclusivity for those who live with it. In this blog post, we will debunk seven common myths about dyslexia to shed light on this neurological condition and the people who experience it. Myth 1 – Very Few People Have Dyslexia FACT: Accord ..read more

Essential Assessments for Second and Third Grade Readers Second and third grade is where the ‘rubber meets the road,’ so to speak. Much of kindergarten and first grade reading instruction focuses on building phonological awareness skills and applying the alphabetic principle. Comprehension and vocabulary are addressed primarily through read aloud. In second and third grade, students are expected to read and comprehend longer passages with greater independence. Why are some second and third grade readers having trouble now? Some students may have been immersed in a curriculum that di ..read more