Structured Literacy

Below, you will find resources and tools that support Structured Literacy implementation in classrooms.

Structured Literacy instruction is explicit, systematic, diagnostic, cumulative instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, syllable types, morphology, semantics, and syntax. Providing a strong foundation in each of these skills develops the neural routes necessary to become a proficient reader. In early grades, an emphasis should be placed on phonological awareness, phonics, encoding and practice in decodable texts until students are able to read real and nonsense words of all syllable types. As students’ progress beyond these skills, the emphasis should shift to developing vocabulary, morpheme awareness, and syntax instruction.

Phonological Awareness

• What are Phonological and Phonemic Awareness?
• Examples of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness activities
• Phonological awareness activities for Kindergarten and First Grade
• Excerpts from David Kilpatrick’s Equipped for Reading Success
• Phonological Awareness activities in Spanish

Phonics

• Phonics instruction supports how the brain learns to read
• Phonics and Decoding
• Using a Heart Word approach for High-Frequency Words
• Phonics Instruction Videos
• The importance of developing an understanding of phonics
• Syllable types in phonics instruction

Encoding

• How Spelling Supports Reading
• Louisa Moats- Close Encounters with Students' Spelling: What They Tell Us About Language Learning
• List of Spelling Rules and Generalizations
• Using a Sound Wall approach
• RIDE Sound Wall Implementation Presentation featuring Dawn Durham (PaTTAN)
  • Presentation Recording
  • Presentation Slide Deck
  • Research to Support Sound Wall Instruction
• Spelling is an Integral Part of Learning the Language, Not a Matter of Memorizationby Drs. Malatesha Joshi, Rebecca Treiman, Suzanne Carreker, and Louisa C. Moats

Decodable Text

• Decodable text resources
• Teaching with Decodable Texts
• Decodable Text Webinar Series
• Deciphering Decodable Texts

Vocabulary / Morphology

• Vocabulary matters – A brief explanation of The Matthew Effect
• What should morphology instruction in early grades look like?
• How Morphology Informs Spelling
• Teaching morphology to improve literacy instruction
• Creating word matrices to teach morphology

Syntax

• Teaching grammar and syntax can improve reading comprehension
• Syntax Matters by William Van Cleave
• Complete this module on “The Writing-Reading Connection” to understand the importance of explicit instruction of syntax. Participants will also engage in activities from The Writing Revolution that can be implemented across all grade levels and content areas. Please begin by reading the facilitator notes to understand more about this self-facilitated module.
  • The Writing-Reading Connection Presentation[PPTX]
  • The Writing-Reading Connection Facilitator Notes[PDF]
  • Because-But-So Activity[DOCX]
  • Because-But-So PDF with Elementary Lines[PDF]
  • The Writing-Reading Connection Reflection Questions[DOCX]
• Resources for teaching Syntax:
  • The Writing Revolution
  • William Van Cleave
  • From Talking to Writing

Background Knowledge

• Why build knowledge and vocabulary?Achieve the Core explains the implications of The Baseball Study
• Watch this recording of RIDE's Virtual Honors Colloquiumfeaturing Natalie Wexler presented by Amplify Education. Natalie discusses the importance of using a High-Quality Curriculum that builds background knowledge and aligns with the Science of Reading. She discusses the characteristics and strategies of effective instruction to improve academic achievement to narrow the knowledge gap.

Professional Learning

To learn more about Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading, consider doing a book study of one of the following books:

• Speech to Print 3^rdEdition by Dr. Louisa Moats
• Reader, Come Homeand Proust and the Squid by Dr. Maryanne Wolf
• The Reading Comprehension Blueprintby Nancy E. Hennessey
• Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficultiesby Dr. David Kilpatrick
• The Knowledge Gapby Natalie Wexler
• Explicit Instructionby Dr. Anita Archer
• Language at the Speed of Sightby Dr. Mark Seidenberg
• The Reading League – Knowledge Base

Structured Literacy at Home

• Games to Support Early Literacy Skills