Blog

Student holding up an A plus exam

Technically Speaking: Understanding and Quantifying the Correlation of Two Reading Measures

Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Correlation and its limitations are explained in easy-to-understand language.
Teacher giving Alphabetic Knowledge instruction to a small group of young and engaged students in a classroom

Research Brief: Decontextualized Alphabetic Knowledge Instruction Produces Positive Results

Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Findings suggest a systematic approach to teaching this prerequisite skill for decoding and writing.
two teachers stand at the front of a classroom

Effective Literacy Lesson: Teaching Consonant Digraphs

Tuesday, January 14, 2020
This decoding skill helps students read, understand, and independently spell words.
Students at a long desk taking a written exam

Research Brief: Does It Matter When Students Read the Items on a Comprehension Assessment?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Researchers examined the common approach of having students read the questions before the text on a comprehension test to see how it impacted student performance compared to reading the questions after the text.
Green graphic with IRRC and Cedar Rapids Community School District branding saying "Q & A with Cedar Rapids Community School District Administrators"

Using a Data-Driven Instructional Cycle to Improve Core Literacy Instruction in Middle School

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Learn about an instructional cycle that also involves coaching and planning next steps as a team in our Q&A with Cedar Rapids Schools’ administrators.
two teachers smile together in a hallway

Technically Speaking: Why We Use Random Assignment in Reading Research

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Essential principles of study design lead to causal results showing effects on student outcomes.
Students standing in a row in classroom and smiling

Technically Speaking: Why We Use Random Sampling in Reading Research

Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Essential principles of study design lead to generalizable results for a wide reach of students.
blue jay drinks from birdbath

Effective Literacy Lesson: Understanding Compound Words Through Their Two Word Parts

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Teach students to read and understand a compound word by identifying the two words that make it.
teen with headphones on cell phone

Effective Literacy Lesson: Constructing an Argumentative Claim

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Students learn to write a debatable, focused, and clear claim with this instructional approach.
2 students filling out graphic organizer at desk

Effective Literacy Lesson: Making and Evaluating Predictions to Support Comprehension

Tuesday, September 24, 2019
An instructional sequence shows how to help students integrate new info with their mental representation of the text.