Literacy & Language Resources
Essentials for education professionals and reading specialists
On this page, you’ll find a curated collection of resources on the science of reading and effective literacy instruction. Explore these Brookes blog posts, articles from trusted sources, and expert-led webinars for information and strategies you can rely on.
Blog Posts
RTI and Poor Reader Profiles: Two Big Ideas for Helping Struggling Readers
Louise Spear-Swerling, Ph.D., author of the book The Power of RTI and Reading Profiles, talks about two big ideas that can be used in tandem to help your students strengthen their reading skills.
40+ Language & Literacy Interventions for Multilingual Learners
Using interventions that make the most of home languages while promoting English language learning is important, and this post offers 40+ ideas from Special Education Considerations for Multilingual Learners.
12 Essentials for Effective Early Language & Literacy Instruction
From the book Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction & Assessment, Pre-K–6, Second Edition, these evidence-based strategies are effective ways to engage children with words and stories.
Screening & Assessment of Dual language Learners: 4 Essential Resources
Discover 4 helpful, up-to-date resources for accurately evaluating the language development of dual language learners: two recently published books, a new screener, and an assessment.
14 Tips for Nurturing Young Children’s Communication & Language Skills
Adapted from four of our practical resources on early intervention and development, this is a great post to share with families as they prepare young children to be successful communicators and readers.
10 Musts for Teaching Literacy Skills to Students with Significant Disabilities
Adapted from Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson & David Koppenhaver, this post identifies 10 success factors for students with significant disabilities learning to read and write.
Teaching Struggling Readers: 8 Steps to Effective Instruction
Learn which lesson components make a difference for struggling readers in this post adapted from Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties by Carolyn Denton et al.
5 Mistakes in Reading Program Design that Can Hurt Struggling Readers
Are you using the right core reading program for your students? This post points to five common trouble spots, adapted from Susan Smartt & Deborah Glaser’s book Next STEPS in Literacy Instruction.
15 Recommended Resources for Getting Language and Literacy Skills On Track
This post highlights four big things to focus on this year to improve language and literacy skills, and presents some recommended resources to invest in.
Developer Q&A: Dr. Nickola Nelson on The TILLS Advantage
Lead developer Nickola Nelson talks about the advantages that set TILLS apart from other language tests and make it a groundbreaking assessment for students ages 6–18.
5 Ways to Support Language & Literacy Skills in Young Dual Language Learners
Adapted from Teaching Dual Language Learners by Lisa López & Mariela Páez, this post brings you practical guidelines, along with a free printable version to save and share.
15 Ways to Boost Early Language & Literacy Skills in Inclusive Classrooms.
These simple and fun activities and strategies will get kids practicing early talking, reading, and writing skills. (Adapted from Blended Practices for Teaching Young Children in Inclusive Settings.)
Articles & Podcasts
APM Reports: Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong
Brookes: 5 Essential Titles For Your Structured Literacy Bookshelf
EdSurge: What Does Reading Well Look Like?
Education Week: How Does Writing Fit Into the ‘Science of Reading’?
Education Week: More States Are Making the ‘Science of Reading’ a Policy Priority
Education Week: The Heavy Cost of Ignoring the Science of Reading for Teachers and Students
Edutopia: 3 Ways to Build a Positive Reading Culture in Middle School
Edutopia: 5 Ways to Support Students Who Struggle With Reading Comprehension
Edutopia: 6 Techniques for Building Reading Skills—in Any Subject
Edutopia: Squats, Lunges, and Phonemes
Hechinger Report: Retraining an Entire State’s Elementary Teachers in the Science of Reading
IDA: What Is Structured Literacy?: A Primer on Effective Reading Instruction
New York Times: In Mississippi, a Broad Effort to Improve Literacy Is Yielding Results
Reading Rockets: Seven Strategies to Teach Students Text Comprehension
Reading Rockets: Understanding and Assessing Fluency
RTI Action Network: Classroom Reading Instruction That Supports Struggling Readers: Key Components for Effective Teaching
Scholastic: How Can I Help My Struggling Readers?
The Hechinger Report: NAACP targets a new civil rights issue—reading
Understood: What’s the Difference Between Structured Literacy and Balanced Literacy?
Understood: 9 Ways to Build Phonological Awareness in Pre-K and Kindergarten
We Are Teachers: What I Wish I Knew About Teaching Reading as a New Teacher
Webinars
Common Types of Reading Difficulties
Presented by Louise Spear-Swerling, author of The Power of RTI and Reading Profiles
Using Small Group Games to Teach Vocabulary
Presented by David Dickinson, author of Connecting Through Talk
Teaching Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms
Presented by Lisa M. López & Mariela Páez, authors of Teaching Dual Language Learners
Identify Dyslexia Using TILLS
Presented by Nickola Nelson, co-developer of TILLS
Using Story Frames to Improve Comprehension, Written Language, and Key Skills
Presented by Carolee Dean, author of Story Frames for Teaching Literacy
A Comprehension Check-Up
Presented by Nancy Hennessy, author of The Reading Comprehension Blueprint
Structured Literacy Instruction for English Learners
Presented by Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, author Literacy Foundations for English Learners
