The first few weeks of school give an opportunity to observe students. It gives insight to where students may need extra supports for their learning. In addition to academic learning, students may need to learn access skills. Access skills refer to skills a student needs to access the curriculum but are not explicitly represented by… Read More Assistive Technology for Education
Why We Should Read Aloud to Students Every Day
Reading aloud to students every day is a powerful, evidence‑based practice that fosters vocabulary development, increases background knowledge, improves comprehension, and builds motivation for reading. For students with intellectual disabilities, daily read-alouds—when designed thoughtfully—can be transformative. Benefits of Reading Aloud to Students A growing body of research highlights the academic and developmental benefits of daily read… Read More Why We Should Read Aloud to Students Every Day
From Scribbles to Sentences: Understanding the Developmental Stages of Writing
“The ONLY way to become a better writer is to write MORE!” – Karen Erickson Writing is more than the motoric task of putting pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard— it is the composition of text that expresses thoughts and ideas. Let’s be clear: Writing is communication, not just a motor task. Mastery of… Read More From Scribbles to Sentences: Understanding the Developmental Stages of Writing
Reading For All Students
To get youth interested in reading we need to help them see that reading is fun. Here are a few suggestions to encourage reading in students of all ages and ability levels this summer. Read Aloud America (Summer Reading Program – Read Aloud America). Download a 5-week program full of reading suggestions and activities. Get… Read More Reading For All Students
Personalize Your Literacy Learning
Are you wondering how you can get a running start this summer on your personal professional learning as we are all gearing up for the official launch of the Virginia Literacy Act? Even though we know professional development is already built into division plans in relation to evidence-based literacy instruction and utilizing high quality instructional… Read More Personalize Your Literacy Learning
Symbolated Text. Does it make learning to read easier or harder?
Symbolated or picture-supported text is a strategy that some educators use with the intent of making text comprehension easier for their students. The idea behind symbolated or picture-supported text is that connecting symbols to text can help students better understand text. It involves adding a picture or corresponding symbol above or below each word in… Read More Symbolated Text. Does it make learning to read easier or harder?
Seven Super Ways to Update Your VESOL Instruction
Spring is here. We are in the final quarter of the school year and the VESOL testing window will soon be closed. This is a great time to try a new resource or teaching strategy. Consider the following ideas and pick one or two to try with your students. 1) Content Teaching Academy This June, James Madison University… Read More Seven Super Ways to Update Your VESOL Instruction
