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The Journey Is the Treasure: Providing Just the Right Amount of Background Knowledge to Support Reading Comprehension

Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Young readers can connect their background information to a new text for greater comprehension. Sample lesson plans show how to use this technique in the classroom.
Green graphic with IRRC branding, Q & A, and a portraits of Amy Denney and Stacie Henderson

Sioux City Principals See Improvement in Student Literacy Outcomes and Engagement as Small-Group, Skills-Based Instruction Implementation Continues

Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monitoring and reviewing student literacy data, teacher commitment, and setting clear expectations have led to success for two principals implementing small-group, skills-based instruction in elementary schools in Sioux City.
Green graphic with IRRC branding, Q & A, and a portraits of Amy Denney and Stacie Henderson

Patience, Professional Development and Teamwork Key to Implementation of Small-Group, Skills-Based Instruction for Literacy, Sioux City Principals Say

Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Implementation of small-group, skills-based instruction for literacy is underway in schools in Sioux City. Two principals discuss the process so far.
Mother and son sitting on a couch reading together under a lamp light with a teddy bear

Dialogic Reading: Having a Conversation about Books

Tuesday, January 3, 2017
When facilitated with various levels of questions, dialogic reading encourages an interactive dialogue about a text being read by an adult to children.
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Comprehension Skills Are Important for Readers of All Ages

Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Comprehension skills and foundational reading skills are both important for students in early grades. Learn more about teaching both components of reading.
Blue graphic with IRRC branding, Q & A, and portrait of Ryan Wise

Director Wise on Supporting Improvement of All Students’ Literacy Skills Through Local Leaders, Ability to Adjust, Data and Assessments

Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise speaks about his commitment to ensuring all kids have strong literacy skills and more in this Q&A.
Scrabble blocks placed in order to spell "Spelling"

Choose Your Words (and Techniques) Carefully in Spelling Instruction

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Spelling instruction can be beneficial for students when taught with an emphasis on learning spelling patterns and using the proper spelling word lists.
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The Importance of Active Reading

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Active reading allows students to build reading skills. Learn steps teachers can take to help students experience success with independent active reading.
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Waterloo CSD’s Hanna highlights universal screening as crucial to reading instruction

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Universal screening allows for explicit and focused literacy instruction without assumptions, says Waterloo Community School District's Darren Hanna.
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Inference Making: The Key to Advanced Reading Development

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Inference making, or the ability to connect information across a text, is a key reading comprehension skill. Learn ways to help students make inferences.
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The Importance of Phonics Instruction for All Students

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
English words can be difficult to decode, emphasizing the need to teach phonics skills to all students so they may experience reading success.
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Five Common Questions about Teaching Students with Disabilities: Debunking the Perception of "Not my Student"

Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Students with disabilities are the students of all teachers. We look at five common questions about teaching students with disabilities.