Curriculum & Instruction
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Description: Anne Beninghof presented two training sessions on Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) for the T/TAC at William and Mary on February 22, 2024 and March 6, 2024. (These recordings will be available for one year.) Note: TTAC Online does not provide certificates of completion for these presentations.
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 May 2024** Virginia Literacy Updates Division...
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: 25 Hands-on Ideas for Teaching Syllabification of Words - Rebecca from the blog Adventures in Speech demonstrates 25 different activities to make teaching and learning syllabication fun and easy!
Description: On Eating Elephants and Teaching Syllabication - Shanahan on Literacy presents this informative blog on syllabication. Shanahan states that “syllables matter in English. The consistency of spelling patterns and their relationship to phonemes and pronunciations is determined, in part, by where particular letters appear in syllables rather than where they appear in words (Venezky, 1967). The syllable is an essential unit in phonological processing (Ecalle & Magnan, 2007) and...
Description: The Big Five: Phonics-Teaching Syllabication - Many children have difficulty reading multisyllabic words. Some can decode fairly well at a one-syllable level but do not know how to read words accurately and fluently when reading longer words. Most decoding instruction stops by second grade; children are not being directly taught how to read multisyllabic words when they begin to become frequently used in text.
Description: 6 Techniques for Building Reading Skills—in Any Subject - Without a repertoire of reading strategies that can be applied to any text, students are being shortchanged in their education. In order to teach students to read effectively, teachers must be sure that they are not simply suppliers of information on a particular text but also instructors of techniques to build reading skills.
Description: Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Reading - The following is the proposed core curriculum for teacher candidates presented in Teaching Reading is Rocket Science: What Expert Teachers of Reading Should Know and Be Able to Do, published by the American Federation of Teachers. This curriculum can also serve as a roadmap for practicing teachers’ professional development experiences. The curriculum is divided into four parts. The psychology of reading and reading development Knowledge of...
Description: Beginning Reading - The National Center for Improving Literacy has gathered its best resources for beginning reading into one convenient link. Topics include: Alphabetuc Principle & Phonics Coaching Steps for Families Engaging Children: Interactive Literacy Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten Fluency with Text And much more!
Description: On course for reading success: Best practices for teaching beginning readers - The early literacy skills that students develop set them on course to gain reading proficiency by grade 3, which is a strong indicator of later academic success. This quick reference draws on What Works Clearinghouse™ practice guides to identify research-based instructional practices for supporting beginning readers, along with the level of evidence behind the practices and core literacy skills to target for...
Description: Parents, educators, and community members are also invited to share their thoughts on cell phone-free education with the VDOE. Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia K-12 Public Schools - On July 9, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to establish cell phone-free education to promote the health and safety of Virginia’s K-12 students. Executive Order 33 is focused on eliminating cell phone use during instructional time and addressing the mental health...
Description: The 2024-2029 Educational Technology Plan for Virginia has been reviewed by the State Board of Education and was accepted as part of their Comprehensive Plan.
Description: Legislation passed during the 2020 Virginia General Assembly session requires Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams to consider the need for age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction related to sexual health, self-restraint, self-protection, respect for personal privacy, and personal boundaries of others (§22.1-217.03). Under this legislation, the VDOE has developed guidelines to support IEP Teams in considering the need for this instruction when developing IEPs for...
Description: Recorded Webinar: The Writing Rope – A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction - In this 2022 webinar hosted by EdWeb and Brookes Publishing, Joan Sedita (creator of the The Writing Rope framework and author of the book, the Writing Rope: A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction in All Subjects) summarizes the writing skills and strategies that student writers must integrate in order to successfully write.
Description: For two decades, Speech to Print has been a bestselling, widely adopted textbook on explicit, high-quality literacy instruction. Now the anticipated third edition is here, fully updated with ten years of new research, a complete package of supporting materials, and expanded guidance on the how of assessment and instruction in today’s classrooms.
Description: 19 Essential Science of Reading PD Books for Teachers - Teachers of all grades need to know about the science of reading. From making sense of phonics and how the English language really works to figuring out what research says about how to best build kids’ background knowledge and comprehension skills, there’s lots to learn. Luckily there are tons of great science of reading PD books available to help you. Of course, you’re beyond busy, so we vetted both classic and new titles...
Description: Teaching, Reading, and Learning: The Reading League Podcast elevates important contributions to the educational community, with the goal of inspiring teachers, informing practice, and celebrating people in the community who have influenced teaching and literacy to the betterment of children. The podcast features people whose life stories are compelling and rich in ways that are instructive to us all. The podcast will focus on literacy as we know it (reading and writing) but will also connect to...
Description: Triple R Teaching provides simple strategies and practical tips for educators in grades PreK-3. Anna Geiger, M.Ed., author of Reach All Readers, will show you how to make small changes to improve how you teach literacy concepts.
Description: Gleans Research to Practice- Reading Fluency and Instruction Podcasts - All the best reading research hot off the presses, brought to you by some of the best reading researchers in the country. Weekly topics and researchers provide variety and interest to all listeners.
Description: The Top Literacy Podcasts of 2024 - Player FM chooses the best literacy podcasts they feel are worth listening to. Read each summary and choose the podcast that best suits your needs and interests.
Description: Four-Part Self-Paced Course Collection: DBI 101: Getting Started with Intensive Intervention - This four-part course collection provides a guide to available NCII self-paced learning courses for those who are newer to learning about intensive intervention and the data-based individualization (DBI) process. The collection begins with an overview and introduction to intensive intervention and then dives deeper into courses focused on the DBI process and key components of the DBI process...
Description: Three-Part Self-Paced Course Collection: Academic Progress Monitoring - This three-part course provides a guide to available NCII self-paced learning courses that focus on academic progress monitoring. The collection begins with an overview of progress monitoring and the role of progress monitoring within the DBI process. The second module focuses defining two types of academic progress monitoring measures (general outcome measures and mastery measures) and considerations for identifying a...
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: The focus of the March 2024 Natural Resources listserv is play for each and every child and family.
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: Revised Universal Design for Learning Innovation Configuration (IC) - This IC provides recommendations for embedding UDL in general and special education pre-service teacher preparation programs and can improve PD for in-service teachers. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on research from the learning sciences. The framework guides the development of flexible learning environments that account for individual learning differences. It provides a blueprint...
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: Getting Ready to Implement Data-Based Individualization - Readiness for change is an important factor in successful implementation and scale-up of a new practice or program in schools. Assessing and developing readiness prior to implementing data-based individualization (DBI) increases the likelihood of success and may save time, resources, and effort. This document provides considerations for creating readiness to implement DBI successfully.
Description: Classroom Management Strategies to Support All Learners - Well-structured, organized classroom environments can reduce behavior problems and promote academic learning for all students, including students with disabilities and those with intensive needs. In this webinar, Dr. Caitlyn Majeika discusses classroom management strategies and supports educators can apply in their own classroom settings. The strategies presented can help educators create a predictable, structured, and organized...
Description: Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Multilingual Learners: Using Culturally and Linguistically Aligned Practices - This brief highlights how to use culturally and linguistically aligned (CLA) strategies to support multilingual learners within an multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework including how to use a CLA lens to inform instructional adaptations for multilingual learners who require intensive intervention. The brief reviews the use of the CLA lens when considering the...
Description: Self-Paced Features of Explicit Instruction Course - The first two modules in NCII’s course content focused on Features of Explicit Instruction have been adapted into self-paced modules available within the NCII and PROGRESS Center’s Learning Module Library. These modules include video lectures, activities, and checks for understanding. The available modules are Modeling and Practicing to Help Students Reach Academic Goals (approximately 5 hours to complete) and...
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: Elementary Instructional Playbook - This website comes from the Jordan School District in Utah and offers some excellent examples of constructing an instructional playbook. There are lots of great resources to help you to create your own school or division playbook. Video Creating an Instructional Playbook - This instructional video shares the steps involved in creating an instructional playbook for your team, school, or division.
Description: This course, Intensifying Instruction: What Teachers Need to Know, focuses on reviewing and intensifying instruction. It is part of a series covering instructional practices. These practices were identified through an extensive, systematic meta-analysis* of the high-leverage practices for students with disabilities. Those who enroll in this interactive course will be able to do the following: Identify when to intensify instruction or intervention to support the development and implementation of...
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: The Providing Immediate Specific Feedback and Maintaining a Brisk Pace module is the third in a set of four course modules focused on explicit instruction. This module focuses on providing immediate specific feedback and maintaining a brisk pace. The module begins with a review of the explicit instruction model and describes how the supporting practices can be used to maximize student engagement. In this module, educators will learn about: How the supporting practices maximize engagement How to...
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: Fostering Student Engagement - Sense of belonging and a supportive classroom and school community are the foundation of student engagement. Building onto that foundation with strategies to support SEL, cognition, and content factors is a great next step. Engage students in digital learning environments, either in-school or virtual, by supporting their social and emotional development, fostering relationships with you and classmates, involving families, and building practices such as...
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...