Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter
December 2020
Follow Up from November
The Role of Decodable Readers in Phonics Instruction
Get informed around the differences between decodable readers and leveled readers and when to use each in this blog post from the Iowa Reading Research Center.
Sight Words in Early Reading Instruction
FastBridge sight words are high-frequency words that are frequently found in text for beginning readers. These are not all true sight or heart words. If these sight words are taught in conjunction with an explicit phonics program it will give students access to reading more connected text at the beginning reading level. Click on Sight Words in Early Reading Instruction to learn more about FastBridge Sight Words.
Click on Sight Word Movies to find movies with the FastBridge sight words using an explicit instructional routine. These movies may be used asynchronously for instruction and practice. In the future, these movies may be great for independent practice during centers or as part of an intervention.
The google slides of the words are also included at the link so that teachers can customize the words taught each week and use an instructional routine that is already familiar to their own students.
Model of Virtual Lesson Supporting Foundational Reading Skills
“Be intentional in trying to create community, but don’t forget that the major mission is to ensure students are learning; Weave community-building into our very explicit teaching.”
3 Ways to Encourage Distance Learning Participation for Students with Word Reading Difficulties
5 Tips for Adapting Choral Response to Distance Learning
2 Ways to Adapt Partner Responses to Distance Learning
Close Reading
Framework for Preparing, Implementing, and Assessing Close Reading Lessons
Check out the Framework for Preparing, Implementing, and Assessing Close Reading Lessons as well as this Short Guide to Creating Questions for Close Analytical Reading
Dyslexia Overview Module
Understanding and Observing the Literacy Skills Associated with Dyslexia Module
General Information About Dyslexia
In fulfillment of another requirement under Senate File 2356 IRRC has added some general information to their new dyslexia pages. They offer easy-to-understand bits of insight about dyslexia.