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Informed Literacy

Because every child deserves reading success

What Is a Consonant Digraph and Why Is It Important?

September 27, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

consonant digraph decodable books and large digraph sound cards

Consonant digraphs are two consonants next to each other that work together to make one sound. The most common digraphs that beginning readers need to recognize are wh, ch, ph, sh, th, and ck.

Why do I need to teach about consonant digraphs if my students already know their letter names and sounds?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction Tagged With: consonant digraphs, emergent readers, instruction, phonics, reading intervention, Science of Reading

Make the Most of Summer Tutoring with Structured Literacy Lessons

May 31, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

Summer is right around the corner and if you are looking to streamline your approach as a reading tutor, structured literacy is the way to go! Summer is short and there is no time to waste. We’ve use the structured literacy format with emergent and struggling readers and it works like a charm!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction, Intervention, Structured Literacy, Summer Learning Tagged With: Science of Reading, summer learning, Summer Reading Skills, Summer Tutoring

5 Problems with Using MSV (aka The Three-Cueing System)

April 5, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

The three-cueing system or the multi-cueing system is also known as MSV. MSV stands for Meaning, Syntax and Visual cues, thus the three-cueing system. You may ask, “What is the problem with MSV?” For years a popular reading program (with ties to a renowned university) have been touting the strategy of MSV. I’ll admit it, I was a huge proponent of this strategy until I learned better. As Maya Angelou once said, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” This is a judgement free zone so let’s take a look at why using MSV creates more problems than it solves.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Decodable texts, Instruction, Phonics

Multisensory Spelling Strategies for Irregular Words

March 28, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

hand holding a pencil and spelling irregular words

To help students spell irregular words correctly, it is beneficial to employ multisensory spelling strategies. It is important to understand the difference between phonetically regular and irregular words. There are only a few irregular words that must be memorized in order to spell them accurately. Repeated opportunities to practice spelling irregular words in isolation can help students transfer this knowledge to their written work. We use this highly effective multisensory method.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction, Spelling

Improve Spelling Accuracy

March 4, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

two children practicing spelling phonetically regular words

One sure way to improve your students’ spelling accuracy is by using a technique that reinforces the alphabetic principle through matching the sound of the letter (phoneme) to the written form of the letter (grapheme). Our students use this highly effective, multisensory approach to spelling both phonetically irregular and decodable words. Using this method, students learn to identify the discrete sounds in a word and correctly write (match) the corresponding letters. This process is part of a structured literacy approach to reading and writing.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction, Spelling

What is a Closed Syllable and Why is it Important?

February 6, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

closed syllables made with letter tiles

Teaching beginning readers about the closed syllable is an important first step in reading success. Kindergarten, First Grade, and emergent readers benefit from lessons that include explicit, systematic instruction of the closed syllable both in isolation and in connected text (decodable readers). 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Beginning Readers, Decodable texts, Instruction, Phonics, Structured Literacy Tagged With: alphabetic principle, Beginning reading, First Grade, kindergarten, phonemic awareness, phonics, reading intervention, word study

Could It Be Dyslexia?

January 10, 2021 by Wendy and Jen

child with dyslexia trying to read a book

Concerned a child may have dyslexia?

Before an official diagnosis is made, you can be on the lookout for some common red flags that may signal dyslexia. While this page is not intended as a substitute for a formal educational evaluation, we do provide you with links to some assessment tools that can help provide valuable information on a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of this post is to provide the reader with some basic background knowledge and some talking points when advocating for a child. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common signs of dyslexia by age group.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Dyslexia, Instruction Tagged With: dyslexia

Part 2: Distance Learning – A History Lesson

March 25, 2020 by Wendy and Jen

Virtual tours are the ultimate in distance learning. In this second of a series on long distance learning we focus on the opportunity to combine language arts and history. This unit of study on the Holocaust (appropriate for learners Grade 7-Adult) is shown through the eyes of a young girl. A virtual tour of Anne Frank’s secret annex helps the reader develop a deeper understanding of this time in history. The Holocaust is something everyone should learn about and there is no time like the present.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction

5 Key Takeaways for Long Distance Learning – Part 1

March 19, 2020 by Wendy and Jen

During these unsettling times, we at Informed Literacy will strive to support parents, teachers, and children as we all grapple with long distance learning. We are facing uncharted waters in this new age of long distance learning and the learning curve is steep. Here are 5 Key takeaways:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction

The Benefits of Audiobooks for ALL Readers

December 17, 2019 by Wendy and Jen

Audiobooks can benefit ALL readers. This post shares our top five reasons to use them both in the classroom and at home!

5 Reasons to Use Audiobooks [Read more…]

Filed Under: Instruction Tagged With: audiobooks, comprehension, dyslexia, English Language Learners, reading disabilities

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