The ONE resource you need

The “Reading Wars” can be traced back as early as the 1920s. There has essentially always been debate on the best way to teach children to read. After decades of dispute, a movement began that suggested children be taught to read using methods that were proven effective through research-and hence the “Science of Reading” became a catch phrase referring to the body of reading pedogogy backed by science. There has been a recent spike in interest in this topic, partly thanks to the incredible podcast Sold a Story. If you have not listened to this yet…go listen right now!!

It is easy to get lost in the weeds trying to figure out what the best, research based methods are to teach reading. Especially now that many publishing companies are jumping on the “Science of Reading” bandwagon to sell curriculum and materials. How do you know what is legit or not?

The best place to start, in my opinion, is with Dr. David Kilpatrick. It is where I began my Science of Reading journey as a special education teacher working with students with dyslexia. He published a book that you should absolutely buy ASAP if you are a reading teacher or parent of a child struggling to learn to read.

Equipped for Reading Success outlines that essentials for reading instruction including phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, orthographic mapping and sight word reading. Then he explains how to teach each of those key foundational skills (based on research) and the last section he has some assessments and corresponding drills, word lists and more.

You can buy Equipped for Reading Success here on Amazon.

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