Reading Instruction

Reading is the fundamental skill upon which all formal education depends. Research clearly shows that children who are poor readers at the end of first grade are never likely to acquire the reading skills they need to successfully complete elementary school—unless these students are identified early in their school career and given the intensive, systematic intervention they require. Any child who doesn't learn to read early and well will not easily master other skills and knowledge, and is unlikely to ever flourish in school or in life.

 

Resources

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Webinar: Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science, 2020: What Expert Teachers of Reading Should Know and Be Able to Do

It’s been 20 years since Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science was published. This new version of the seminal report reinforces and extends our understanding of literacy instruction. Please join renowned researcher and author Louisa C. Moats and two AFT national literacy trainers for a webinar on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. EDT to hear about how the science of reading can be implemented in virtual and physical classrooms alike.
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Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science

In this updated report, Louisa C. Moats calls for teacher preparation and professional development to be more rigorous and better aligned with decades of reading science. She describes the knowledge that undergirds successful instruction and concludes with recommendations for the professional preparation of all teachers of reading. It is our nation’s dedicated teachers and their excellent teaching that will bring the rocket science that is research-based reading instruction to classrooms across the country and will unlock the power and joy of reading for our children.
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Professional Learning Literacy Courses for Educators

The American Federation of Teachers provides professional learning opportunities at events throughout the year and also works with state federations and local affiliates to deliver coursework locally. Literacy courses include:
  • Beginning Reading Instruction: This course focuses on how children learn to read and the best ways to teach reading from kindergarten to the end of the primary grades.
  • Reading Comprehension Instruction: This course focuses on the research and exemplary practices that help students acquire strong reading comprehension skills.
  • Accessible Literacy Framework: This course is designed specifically for educators and school staff who are responsible for providing and/or adapting materials for students with disabilities who have complex communication needs, use assistive technology to access curriculum, or require adaptive materials to participate in a learning environment.
  • Colorín Colorado Introductory Workshop for ELL Educators: This workshop highlights resources, materials, and the latest research to help educators reach out to ELL families and learn more about literacy skills, academic content, and English language acquisition.
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Literacy: The Keys to Success

These resources help explain what your child should know and be able to do while reading and writing. The suggestions offer examples of how families can support children’s learning at home. Also included are links to helpful websites where families can find more information and resources, including videos.
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PreK-3 English and Spanish Reading Tip Sheets for Parents

Reading, and a love for reading, begins at home, and research has shown that children who have a solid foundation in their first language have an easier time learning to read in English. These one-page reading tip sheets, available in English and Spanish, offer easy ways for parents to help their children become successful readers—even if parents don’t speak English!
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Colorín Colorado

Colorín Colorado is the premier national website serving educators and families of English language learners (ELLs) in Grades PreK-12. Colorín Colorado has been providing free research-based information, activities, and advice to parents, schools, and communities around the country for more than a decade.