30 Science of Reading Resources
As educators, we are always learning and growing in order to improve reading instruction. It can be challenging to sift through the many resources available, so we have created a list for you. The following includes a list of 30 resources for educators who wish to further their knowledge about the Science of Reading.
5 "Must See" Resources to Get Started
1. EAB Report: Narrowing the 3rd Grade Reading Gap (10 minute read)
A research brief for educators embracing the science of reading from the EAB District Leadership Forum. This is an accessible read for educators who want to learn more and implement classroom instruction that is aligned to the science of reading.
2. Of ‘Hard Words’ and Straw Men: Let’s Understand What Reading Science is Really About by Louisa Moats (5 minute read)
An article about what the Science of Reading really entails and how important it is to really have an understanding of the components of foundational literacy instruction in order to implement them effectively into the classroom.
3. Hard Words: Why Aren’t Kids Being Taught to Read? (45 minute listen)
Emily Hanford, educational journalist has researched reading instruction across the US. Her findings sparked conversations about The Science of Reading and how we can improve reading proficiency in the US.
4. Videos: Is My Kid Learning to Read? (Part 1 and Part 2; 26 minutes)
How many students are being taught to read in the classroom can be eye-opening for parents. Watch this two-part video series to learn more about how students may be learning to read and how to best support them as they continue to learn to read.
Okay, we kind of cheated with #5, but if you read nothing else on Reading Rockets, be sure to check out their articles on Phonological and Phonemic Awareness and Why Phonological Awareness is Important for Reading and Spelling.
Infographics
6. The Ladder of Reading by Nancy Young
“The genesis of the Reading Rope dates back to Scarborough’s lectures for parents on the complexities involved in learning to read. Originally, she spoke of skilled reading as resembling the 'strands' of a rope, using pipe cleaners to illustrate the interconnectedness and interdependence of all the components.”
8. How Our Brains Learn to Read
Our brains are naturally set up to learn to speak, but learning to read does not happen on its own. Scientists have found that we must develop certain parts of our brains and build connections between brain areas that were not connected before. The picture (below) shows four different areas of our brains that we use when we read.
Podcasts
Stories about education, opportunity, and how people learn. Emily Hanford podcasts are recommended and two favorites are listed below:
At a Loss for Words (52 minutes; published Aug. 22, 2019)
National Assessment Shows More K-12 Students Struggling to Read (25 minutes; published Nov. 1, 2019)
10. Glean Education: Research to Practice
Dive into current research, hot topics, and success stories with our two podcast series for educators.
Why Phonological Awareness is Important to Reading? (23 minutes; published Jan. 3, 2019)
How to Make Sight Word Instruction and Reading Intervention More Effective (50 minutes published Oct. 1, 2020)
11. Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify Education
The latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Each episode takes a conversational approach and explores a timely topic related to the science of reading.
12. Teaching, Reading & Learning: The Podcast by The Reading League
Listen to speakers who have made important contributions to the educational community as they discuss reading and writing, but connect to other “literacies” that impact children’s learning.
Websites, Blogs & Webinars
The Reading League is a non-profit organization focused on the mission to advance awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-based reading instruction.
A group of teachers, researchers, and activists committed to the pursuit of equity through literacy.
15. Louisa Moats
A website from Literacy Expert, Louisa Moats, includes webinars, blogs, and articles for educators committed to best practices in literacy instruction.
Emily Gibbons, certified dyslexia practitioner and creator of The Literacy Nest shares resources for instruction for struggling readers.
17. CORE Learn
The Consortium on Reaching Excellence is Education (CORE) provides many excellent resources and free professional learning opportunities.
A kindergarten teacher who shares her experience along with many resources in the areas of literacy.
19. Education Week
A website sharing in-depth information and research serving K-12 education.
Articles & Research
20. Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel (2008)
21. Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read (2000)
22. Learning to Read: Center for Early Reading (Part 1 and Part 2)
Teacher Resources
24. Florida Center for Reading Research: FCRR
25. University of Florida Literacy Institute: UFLI
26. The Simple View of Reading
Professional Books
27. Speech to Print by Louisa Moats (2014)
28. Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by David Kilpatrick (2015)
29. Phonics from A to Z by Wiley Blevins (2017)
30. Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning about Print by Marilyn Adams (1994)
Did we miss a resource? Please leave a comment and let us know!
