Blog

Teachers meeting for a literacy initiative

Iowa Reading Research Center to Provide Evaluation for Kansas Literacy Initiative

Friday, June 15, 2018
The Iowa Reading Research Center has been selected to serve as an external evaluator for a literacy project funded under a $27 million federal grant awarded to Kansas.
Three students writing in class with a teacher leaning over to check in on their work

Teaching Sight Words as a Part of Comprehensive Reading Instruction

Tuesday, June 12, 2018
A look at what sight words are, why they are important to reading effortlessly, and how to teach them.
woman smiles at camera

My Growth as a Future Teacher Through Meaningful Work at the Iowa Reading Research Center

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Emily Crandall, Iowa Reading Research Center student assistant, reflects on how her job has provided valuable experience with literacy best practices and made her a better writer.
Teacher helping students writing with timed practice in a classroom

Teaching Writing Fluency Through Feedback and Progress Monitoring Toward Goals

Tuesday, May 15, 2018
A continued look at teaching writing fluency through timed practice, focusing on giving students’ immediate and corrective feedback, and monitoring student progress toward writing goals.
Student writing during class with teacher in the background

Using Timed Practice with Repeated Writings to Promote Sentence-Writing Fluency

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Writing fluently allows students to focus their thinking on more complex writing aspects. Help students improve this important skill using timed practice.
Green graphic with IRRC branding, Q & A, and a portrait of Julie Neal

Literacy Professional Development Provides Evidence-Based Practices and Instructional Consistency

Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Greene County Community School District Reading Specialist Julie Neal talks about the IRRC’s structured professional development modules in this Q&A.
A presenter speaking to a room of people during a student journalism conference workshop

News You Can Use: Student Journalism Instruction and Effects on Literacy Skills

Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Student journalism strengthens literacy skills by providing explicit writing instruction, prepares students for college, and helps them become engaged citizens.
A student writing down the information from an interview she is conducting

Student Journalism Provides Literacy Learning and Motivation to Write

Tuesday, March 20, 2018
A look at characteristics of student journalism that may motivate students to write and improve literacy skills through practice and instruction.
Teacher crouching in an aisle of desks during class to assist one of her students

Federal Title I Funding for Students who Struggle with Literacy

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
A federal program that provides funding to help ensure high-quality education for children from low-income families also positively affects literacy instruction.
teacher talks with her student

Using Possible Selves to Facilitate Student Literacy Achievement

Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Through helping students define their possible selves, show them how becoming an expert reader can help them achieve their life goals.