Amplify Literacy Hub
A year after the world changed … it seems the change has only accelerated. As educators plan for a new beginning this fall, we’re hearing the urgent need for ready-to-go resources that help you engage with equity, remote learning, assessment, and more. Want to watch (or rewatch!) our latest Virtual Literacy Symposium? Check it out here. Ready to take a stand for research-based reading instruction? Check out the Reading League’s Science of Reading: A Defining Movement and add your voice.
Amplify Literacy Hub
A year after the world changed … it seems the change has only accelerated. As educators plan for a new beginning this fall, we’re hearing the urgent need for ready-to-go resources that help you engage with equity, remote learning, assessment, and more. Want to watch (or rewatch!) our latest Virtual Literacy Symposium? Check it out here. Ready to take a stand for research-based reading instruction? Check out the Reading League’s Science of Reading: A Defining Movement and add your voice.
Leveraging the science of reading
Go deep on the insights and practices that will help our classrooms (remote or otherwise)—based on the latest science, and adaptable to every shift in the educational landscape.
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Learn: Susan Lambert talks to Language Magazine about the science of reading and what it means right now. |
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Learn: Lucy Calkins acknowledges that balanced literacy needs some “rebalancing” in order to align with the science of reading–including a new focus on decoding words. |
Lead: What should you look for in a curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading? Download this eBook for a practical checklist and key instructional practices. |
Building strong foundational skills
Strong, systematic sound-first instruction is critical to helping students learn to decode and can increase student success. Learn specific skills that increase your impact.
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Learn: Start with Emily Hanford’s crucial piece, Hard Words. |
Listen: Jasmine Lane on the importance of equity, and how early literacy teachers can make a difference. |
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Listen: Bruce McCandliss on the changes a child’s brain shows when learning to read. |
Lead: Challenge a colleague to this Scarborough’s Rope activity—work through a sample lesson from your district and point out elements of the reading rope. |
Sharing knowledge resources
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Learn: Begin with Why knowledge matters—then follow up with Natalie Wexler’s podcast. |
Learn: Take a look at Achieve the Core’s overview of the importance of building knowledge and the groundbreaking “baseball study“. |
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Listen: Anne Lucas on the importance of comprehension and the specific skills that can boost it. |
Listen: Tim Shanahan on four crucial aspects in teaching reading and his views on teaching reading in middle school as an extension of evidence-based early literacy practices. |
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Lead: What’s your favorite resource for building knowledge in a specific domain? Link it in your district’s social media and in your educator communities. |
Lead: Start a virtual book club for The Knowledge Gap with your colleagues. |
Assessing what students need
Assessment this year is more important than ever before—and also more challenging. What does this extended summer slide look like? How can you find time to review what’s needed, while still moving forward?
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Learn: Education for Global Development’s thoughts on formative assessment in the time of COVID-19. |
Learn: District Administration on why educators want more data– and more guidance on how to use it. |
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Learn: Catch up on dyslexia risk factors and state legislation with our dyslexia toolkit. |
Listen: Nancy Nelson on the importance of universal screeners in literacy instruction. |
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Lead: What can you offer struggling readers and their caregivers? Take a look at the IDA’s COVID-19 Resource Guide. |
Thriving through remote learning
Everything about this school year has changed—yet your work is more important than ever before. How can you support your students, and your colleagues, in this new normal? Stop by Amplify Anywhere for ideas that may help.
And while you’re here—please download your free PDF “20 Self-Care Tips for Educators Right Now” (and please take care of yourselves!).
Alana Mangham on Teaching Now
Natalie Wexler on the New Normal
Thinking about back-to-school
Though it feels like the landscape is changing every day, we know we’ve got to find a way to get students back to learning. What will your school day look like? What reinforcement might you need to do in order to ensure equity? We will continue to share resources to support your journey.
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Learn: In this recorded webinar, explore some ways CARES Act funding might support your students. |
Learn: Hear from Baltimore educator Lucas Drerup on making middle school ELA both enjoyable and rigorous for students. |
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Listen: Jackson-Madison CAO Jared Myracle shares his thoughts on change management and the science of reading. |
Listen: Doug Lemov, managing director of Uncommon Schools, discusses the role of technology in the classroom and remote instruction, and how educators can reconsider how they approach literacy. |
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Lead: As you consider how and when to reopen, review this article from The Atlantic on Eight steps that will let us reopen schools. |
Lead: Guidance from District Administration on reopening safely this fall. |
Finding high-quality instructional materials
If you were already thinking about new literacy resources—you’ve now got even more ideas about what high quality looks like. How will your literacy program work for all students? How do you need your literacy resources to support you in the classroom, in remote learning, and for every scenario in between?
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Learn: Review this guide to a high-quality curriculum adoption. What factors matter most now, in literacy and in every subject? |
Listen: Hear nationally recognized reading experts and authors David and Meredith Liben discuss evidence based solutions and more. |
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Lead: Download this K–8 ELA Instructional Materials Evaluation Guide. Share with your district leadership. What resources will you all need next year (and beyond) to do the best job possible for your students? |
Lead: Talk to a few colleagues in the coming weeks. What are they seeing right now? What are they planning to improve this year? |
Staying strong and staying connected!
Looking for ways to connect with other educators and stay updated on the latest research and trends in the science of reading? Check out a few more ways to do so below.
Science of Reading: The Podcast delivers the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Further your professional development with each episode by subscribing and downloading them now.
Science of Reading: The Community is built for those committed to fostering conversation around the science of reading and implementing best practices in the classroom (including the virtual classroom).
Ready for more? Complete the form below to stay up-to-date on the latest resources.