Literacy (Reading & Writing)
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Description: Based on the work of the CEEDAR Center and Council for Exceptional Children, the GMU TTAC Team has created High Leverage Practice Crosswalks in the areas of Math, Literacy and Transition to support stakeholders in developing personalized professional learning and targeted support, with the goal of bridging research into “practical” classroom practice to improve performance outcomes. The HLP Crosswalks are dynamic documents that will be periodically updated with the most current...
Description: VDOE's Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) webpage - With the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in the 2022 General Assembly, Virginia is taking the lead nationwide to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. Through the VLA, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will support school divisions through a multi-year effort with tools, resources, technical assistance and funding. Updates from VDOE **NEW April 2024** Virginia Literacy Updates **NEW...
Description: This guide designed to support professionals and families in understanding assistive technology (AT) and identifying possible AT tools for students from preschool through high school. (Updated 9/2023) “I have severe dyslexia and it's hard for me to read and write. In the eighth grade, I could not write down a single word. The first time I used a program with voice recognition, I wrote a whole short story. Using AT means I can do things myself and I don't have to depend on someone else to...
Description: This article discusses how a University of Virginia professor shaped Virginia’s Literacy Act. The new laws address teacher training, screening for reading risk, the provision of evidence-based curricula, funding for intervention services and other aspects of effective literacy instruction.
Description: VLA Implementation Playbook - The Virginia Department of Education is excited to collaborate with school divisions as they work diligently to implement the Virginia Literacy Act over the next six months. To assist school divisions in creating a vision for what literacy instruction looks like in every classroom, the Department of Education has created a playbook. This document will act as a framework for decision making and help provide a roadmap for a successful 2024-2025 school year. This...
Description: Recorded Webinar: Instructional Practices for Students with Significant Disabilities - The Office of Student Assessment, in collaboration with the Department of Special Populations, is pleased to offer another resource for teachers providing instruction to students with significant cognitive disabilities. This resource is a recorded presentation, Instructional Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities, featuring educators from three Virginia school divisions. The...
Description: This webpage provides every episode of Melissa & Lori Love Literacy starting with the most recent episodes. You can even search for any guests or topics you are interested in to find all the episodes you want to listen to!
Description: Podcasts - Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong - There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read. In this podcast, host Emily Hanford investigates the influential authors who promote this idea and the company that sells their work. It's an...
Description: Literacy Talks, a podcast series from Reading Horizons, is where reading momentum begins. Each episode features our trio of literacy champions: Stacy Hurst, an assistant professor of reading at Southern Utah University and Chief Academic Advisor at Reading Horizons; Donell Pons, a dyslexia specialist, educator, presenter, and writer, who now works with adults who struggle with reading; Lindsay Kemeny, an innovative, dedicated elementary teacher who is a CERI certified Structured Literacy...
Description: Together in Literacy - focuses on the science of reading, which, at its heart, is also a dyslexia podcast. Many episodes support children and teens with dyslexia and their families, featuring topics such as working with older students and the legal aspects of dyslexia advocacy. These podcasts are hosted by Emily Gibbons & Casey Harrison. They connect the science behind reading to the social-emotional connections for our students.
Description: The topics included are: Attention and Focus Communication Collaboration Language Development Math Memory Motivation Organization Problem Solving Positive Relationships Reading Reading Comprehension Remote Learning Resilience/Flexibility Self-Monitoring Writing
Description: It is never too early to consider assistive technology supports and services. Providing children with supports to access play, communication, and books is essential to their early development. The following resources will assist you in exploring AT and AAC for young children. Check out these Professional Learning Possibilities on TTAC Online: Considering Assistive Technology Course: Asynchronous Virtual Virginia Course - Virginia Assistive Technology, Tools, and Strategies (VATTS): Consideration...
Description: Quick Guide For Reading Assessment - When assessing emerging readers, this progression should be utilized from the bottom of the progression up, with new assessment measures added and analyzed as they become developmentally appropriate. When assessing older students in third grade or beyond, the analysis should start at the top of the progression with reading comprehension and fluency measures, then down through the foundational sub-skills as needed.
Description: The Reading League Compass: Providing Direction in the Science of Reading - The science of reading marketplace is difficult to navigate and digest. It is often full of misinformation that makes educators, educational leaders, and decision-makers vulnerable to implementing practices that are somehow labeled as “science of reading,” yet they are not aligned with the scientific evidence base. The Reading League Compass provides reliable and understandable guidance for a variety of...
Description: Dott, Alphabott, and the Alphabotteers are teaching Dusty the Dog to read. That’s what makes them Reading Buddies! Combining the science of reading with lots of laughs, Reading Buddies is the fun way to teach aspiring readers the foundational components of reading.
Description: This section provides Parents & Families with practical ideas and strategies to help with reading and writing based on what works. Topics include: Dyslexia, Beginning Reading, Intervention, Screening, Advocacy and Partnerships.
Description: Management and Routines includes: Managing Materials Be Kind Beginning of the Day Communication Independent Work Time Safety & Transitions
Description: Resilience for Kids With Dyslexia, Learning and Attention Issues - Hear from Fumiko Hoeft, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist and a cognitive neuroscientist, about how resilience can help kids with dyslexia succeed in school and in life. Learn how you as a parent can build resilience by showing support, providing mentorship, focusing on strengths, and building social/emotional resilience. With these tips, you can create a resilience framework for your child with learning and attention issues....
Description: Using Children’s Literature to Teach Social Skills - Children with disabilities, particularly learning disabilities, do not always make friends as effortlessly and easily as do their nondisabled peers. Through the use of children’s literature, children with learning disabilities can be taught valuable skills that will enable them to make and maintain friendships. This article (a) describes a strategy incorporating children’s literature for teaching friendship skills and...
Description: Using Read-Alouds to Support Social and Emotional Learning - In elementary school, interactive read-alouds are commonly used to build various literacy skills, such as students’ listening comprehension, background knowledge, vocabulary, and understanding of language structures. Beyond their academic benefits, however, read-alouds can also serve as a support for developing social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. In fact, teachers can integrate read-alouds related to SEL into...
Description: The purpose of ORTIi is to provide technical assistance to Oregon school districts implementing Response to Intervention (RTI) systems that provide targeted, effective instruction to meet the needs of all students and provide the framework to identify students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). The focus of the project is on literacy, early intervention, and the use of evidenced-based practices.
Description: Intervention Central provides teachers, schools and districts with free resources to help struggling learners and implement Response to Intervention and attain the Common Core State Standards. (A new, streamlined version of this site will be available soon.)
Description: Recording of Dr. Mitchell Brookins - Keynote ORTIi Virtual Reading Symposium: The Tide is Turning - Literacy is Liberty Virtual Reading Symposium Virtual Reading Symposium - Session Recordings For each session listed below, you will find: A Session Description and Presenter Bio A YouTube Link to access the recording A Presentation Resources link with access to materials in a Google Folder. Some presenters did not provide handouts.
Description: Recording: Dr. Tim Odegard - Empowering Students with Dyslexia: Effective Support Strategies Virtual Reading Symposium Virtual Reading Symposium - Session Recordings For each session listed below, you will find: A Session Description and Presenter Bio A YouTube Link to access the recording A Presentation Resources link with access to materials in a Google Folder. Some presenters did not provide handouts.
Description: Recording: Julie Burtscher Brown and Sherry Sousa - No Time to Waste: Structured Literacy with Young Adults Virtual Reading Symposium Virtual Reading Symposium - Session Recordings For each session listed below, you will find: A Session Description and Presenter Bio A YouTube Link to access the recording A Presentation Resources link with access to materials in a Google Folder. Some presenters did not provide handouts.
Description: Recording: Lindsay Kemeny - 7 Mighty Moves for Reading Success Virtual Reading Symposium Virtual Reading Symposium - Session Recordings For each session listed below, you will find: A Session Description and Presenter Bio A YouTube Link to access the recording A Presentation Resources link with access to materials in a Google Folder. Some presenters did not provide handouts.
Description: Digital Books can help students who have difficulty reading print independently. The following resources allow students to listen or read books in a digital format. Digital Books, from AIM-VA and Bookshare, are free for students to use. Review their information for how teachers can get students enrolled. Other websites listed here can provide digital books that students can use from home as well as school. Check out this list of digital book options to determine which your student...
Description: 10 Podcasts for Dyslexia Awareness - Podcasts are a great way to incorporate media consumption into your daily life. Unlike video or reading from books, podcasts are made to be listened to “on the go”. The listening format is particularly accessible for people with dyslexia and those who find themselves super busy. I enjoy listening to podcasts in the car and while exercising. While you can find podcasts about virtually ANY topic, it is worthwhile for teachers to listen to dyslexia...
Description: The IDA Dyslexia Handbook What Every Family Should Know provides necessary information regarding: definition of dyslexia characteristics of dyslexia appropriate assessment tools evidence-based interventions, suggestions for managing a dyslexic’s educational process In addition, helpful resources and a glossary of terms are provided to better understand dyslexia and its relateddisorders.
Description: If we don’t implement critical components of an intervention with consistency, we cannot link student outcomes to the instruction provided. Fidelity can help us to determine the effectiveness of an intervention, and identify if a student requires more intensive supports. This resource outlines five elements of fidelity and provides guiding questions for each.
Description: This Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and Reading presentationwas given at the Science of Teaching Reading Conference at the College of William and Mary on September 30, 2022.
Description: This Science of Reading inforgraphic shows the What, Why and How of Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency and Vocabulary which all lead to Comprehension. This infographic is from R.I.S.E. Arkansas.
Description: Self-advocacy is an important part of student success with Assistive Technology. The resources below will help you further understand how to incorporate self-determination into AT. Why is it important for students and families to be involved in AT decision-making? “Using AT means I can do things myself and I don't have to depend on someone else to help me." ~Olivia Hampton, I'm Determined Youth Summit, 2019 Check out these Professional Learning Possibilities on TTAC Online: Resource:...
Description: Science of Reading: The Podcast will deliver the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Via a conversational approach, each episode explores a timely topic related to the science of reading.
Description: Assistive Technology That's Built Into Mobile Devices - Most smartphones and digital tablets have built-in assistive technology (AT) that can help with learning and thinking differences. The range of AT features varies depending on the device’s operating system. But iOS devices like iPhones, as well as Android devices like Samsung Galaxy phones, all have built-in AT tools. You don’t need to buy special apps to use these built-in AT features.
Description: This 2023 Children’s Mental Health Report takes a close look at the following topics to see what can ve done to remedy this urgent problem: What we know about how reading difficulties can affect kids’ mental health The latest brain-based research on how children learn to read, and how the brains of children with dyslexia are different What the evidence tells us about the most effective ways to teach children to read How we can work together to help the next generation of American...
Description: The Commonwealth of Virginia is making a significant investment in public education with $418 million dedicated to high dosage academic tutoring, accelerating the expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA), and combatting chronic absenteeism.
Description: Unite for Literacy pictures a world where all children have access to an abundance of books that celebrate their languages and cultures and cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Unite for Literacy has developed the platform, publishing tools, and systems-based strategies that support our public and private sector partners to change the literacy landscape of their communities and optimize the future for all their young children. Our projects build home libraries and support families to develop a...
Description: How can data-based individualization (DBI) help educators to address the growing expectations for literacy outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities? In this webinar, Dr. Chris Lemons an NCII Advisor, Associate Professor of Special Education in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, and Co-Director of the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center, provides an overview of activities conducted through an Office of Special Education Programs model...
Description: Course Enhancement Module (CEM): Reading - Through this CEM, participants will learn about intervention practices and assessments that can be integrated within a comprehensive, evidence-based reading intervention program. These tools and practices involve multiple levels of interventions, including classwide, small group, and individual reading practices. Candidates, who gain knowledge about how to use these tools and practices effectively, will become proficient in using reading data to...
Description: Recorded Webinar: Leveraging Data-Based Individualization (DBI) to Design and Deliver Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) - In this webinar, experts from the PROGRESS Center and National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII) model how practitioners can use data-based individualization (DBI) to develop and implement SDI for students with disabilities and a panel of special educators share how using DBI improved the efficiency and effectiveness of their service delivery, communication with...
Description: RTI (Part 3): Reading Instruction - This module illustrates different research-based reading strategies that may be used with the response-to-intervention model to improve reading skills (est. completion time: 1.5 hours). This module was developed in collaboration with the Tennessee State Improvement Grant and the Tennessee Department of Education.
Description: Family News: What is Science-Based Reading Research? Science-based reading instruction is based on research from many different fields: Education, Psychology, Cognitive Science, and Linguistics. Research identies important content and teaching methods. Science-based reading research leads to science-based reading instruction. Video: Science-Based Reading Research and the Virginia Literacy Act - What Families Need to Know Family Resources How Can My Child Listen to Books at Home? How Can My...
Description: A resource dedicated to helping parents and families help to support your children's reading development. CBM stands for Curriculum-Based Measure. CBMs are short timed tests that measure important early reading skills and are designed to help parents and educators understand their children's risk for developing reading difficulties in the future.
Description: Phonemic Awareness- Phoneme Manipulating: Phoneme Swap (FCRR) - Teacher ready instructional activities for phoneme substitutions. PHONEME DELETION is a strategy that helps develop students’ phonemic awareness, which is part of phonological awareness. Phoneme deletion involves having students manipulate spoken words by deleting specific phonemes. If this task is too difficult initially, you can begin by having students delete syllables in compound words. Phoneme deletion tasks...
Description: This site includes Professional Learning Module Series, Instructional Resources & Materials as well as a Professional Learning Library.
Description: Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn't always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum -- one that doesn't necessarily fit with labels like "normal" and "defective." Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us to think again about dyslexic brain function and to celebrate the neurodiversity of the human brain. Lesson by Kelli Sandman-Hurley, animation by Marc Christoforidis.
Description: This webinar is an Overview of the New State Literacy Screener Virginia Literacy and Language Screening System (VALLSS). (Length 43:46)
Description: The Approved Core Instructional Program Guide (PDF) provides an overview of the approved core instructional programs. To compile this guide, VDOE partnered with Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) at the University of Virginia School of Education to facilitate reviews of core instructional programs. The Core Instructional Review Process is unique to Virginia and consists of two phases, each with discrete rubrics for each grade band. Rubrics were produced by VLP and reviewed by...
Description: The is the recording of the webinar, Overview of the Virginia Literacy Act, from September 8, 2022.