Elementary Literacy
Elementary Reading Academy
The CORE Elementary Reading Academy offers educators fundamental knowledge in effective research-based reading practices for all learners. The Reading Academy applies research-based reading practices to research-based basal textbook series. By taking all five topical sessions, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical components for effective reading instruction.
Note: Sessions 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be taken separately. Sessions 1 and 2 must be taken together.
Participant Outcomes:
- Understand the research on the particular essential components of reading instruction and link research to practice.
- Gain clear and explicit models of instructional routines.
- Practice using instructional routines specific to the particular topic.
Levels: K–6. Audience: Limited to 45 participants, administrators, and teachers. Format: Five sessions with an optional sixth session.
Materials:
If all 5 or 6 sessions are taken, participants receive Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, 2nd Edition;Teaching Reading Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, a practical guide to scientifically based reading instruction; the CORE Blending Routines DVD; and a Participant Resource Guide for all topics.
If participants take only sessions 1 and 2, they will receive Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, 2nd Edition;Teaching Reading Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, a practical guide to scientifically based reading instruction; the CORE Blending Routines DVD; and a Participant Resource Guide for sessions 1 and 2.
If participants take only session 3, they will receive Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, 2nd Edition;Teaching Reading Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, a practical guide to scientifically based reading instruction; and a Participant Resource Guide for the session.
If participants take session 4 and session 5, they will receive Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, 2nd Edition; Teaching Reading Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, a practical guide to scientifically based reading instruction; and a Participant Resource Guide for the topics selected.
If participants take only session 5 or session 6, they will receive Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, 2nd Edition;Teaching Reading Sourcebook, 2nd Edition, a practical guide to scientifically based reading instruction; and a Participant Resource Guide for the topic selected.
If participants want only a stand-alone vocabulary workshop, please refer to the Vocabulary Development Workshop description.
| Session | Topics | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 Overview, Linguistics, and Early Literacy |
Research, phonemes, phonic elements, print awareness and letter knowledge | This session provides an overview of the scientific research on teaching reading, including basic linguistics, phonic elements, and print awareness and letter knowledge. This session may not be taken separately. It must be combined with session 2. |
2 Phonemic Awareness and Phonics |
Phonemic awareness, phonics, irregular high-frequency words | During this session, participants learn how to develop phonemic awareness. They learn a developmental instructional sequence and practice and see modeled engaging, explicit lessons. Also during this session, participants learn explicit, systematic phonics instruction, including effective corrective feedback and various forms of blending, and the application to decodable text. In the afternoon, participants gain techniques to effectively teach students irregular words that cannot efficiently be learned through sounding them out. This session may not be taken separately. It must be combined with session 1. |
3 Multisyllabic Words and Fluency |
Multisyllabic words and fluency | This session addresses the techniques that help students transition from reading single-syllable words to reading multisyllabic words. Multiple lesson models provide participants with various research-based methods to break up and learn large words. In addition, participants learn effective techniques to foster reading fluency: accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression. Lesson models will be provided along with participant practice. This session may be taken as an individual day. |
4 Vocabulary |
Vocabulary development | This session focuses on vocabulary development. Participants study word-learning strategies and specific word instruction, and experience active ways to promote "word consciousness." The needs of English-language learners are addressed. Over 30 lesson models are provided. This session may be taken as an individual day. |
5 Comprehension |
Comprehension strategies, narrative and informational text | This session focuses on the different ways to assist students to access both narrative and informational texts. Specific reading skills and strategies—including questioning, graphic organizers, and monitoring techniques—are presented using explicit instruction, with hands-on lesson models and practice. Participants focus also on text structure and the application of selected strategies to different types of texts. This session may be taken as an individual day. |
Separate session 6 Reading Assessment for Effective Instruction |
Assessment and intervention | This session guides participants through Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures and also lays out the basic principles and purposes of different types of assessments and what a comprehensive assessment blueprint looks like within the context of a three-tiered system. This session may be taken as an individual day. |
Workshops
Once foundational knowledge is established, CORE provides teachers and those who support them with the ongoing professional development and on-site support they need to master instructional practices and materials. We support effective implementation designs that create and sustain a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Reading Instruction:
- Comprehension Workshop, K–6
- Differentiated Instruction Workshop
- Differentiated Instruction Workshop: Houghton Mifflin Reading
- Multisyllabic Words and Fluency Workshop, K–6
- Reading Assessment for Effective Instruction
- Selecting Research-Based Materials Workshop
- Vocabulary Development Workshop, K–6
Writing Instruction:
- Functional Grammar and Writing for Elementary Workshop
- Writing Instruction Workshop: Houghton Mifflin Reading