Science-based literacy resources and articles

for families, educators and schools

Search by Category:

Phonics Ascend SMARTER Intervention Phonics Ascend SMARTER Intervention

How to Teach the au/aw Spelling Rule

Now, if you have been working with us for a while, you’ll know that we LOVE teaching with key images and phrases to help anchor skills for a student. For au/aw, we use the phrase “Yawn, I have to do the laundry.” This helps our struggling readers and spellers remember the rule. Keep reading for more tips, tricks and activities surrounding the au/aw vowel team.

Read More
Helping My Child At Home, Comprehension Corey Pollard Helping My Child At Home, Comprehension Corey Pollard

3 Reasons Your Child Isn't Understanding What She Reads

We know that comprehending what we read is the sole purpose of learning HOW to read. But surprisingly schools have placed a heavy emphasis on how quickly children read instead of how effectively they are comprehending the material they are reading. While your child may awe you with their oral language abilities (their ability to tell you about complex things going on in the world) you might be surprised to find that your child's reading comprehension skills are breaking down. :

Read More
Parents, Dyslexia, Advocacy Corey Pollard Parents, Dyslexia, Advocacy Corey Pollard

She'll Catch Up

“Oh, she’ll catch up,” is what Jane recalled her daughter Susan’s teachers saying throughout first and second grades. Susan, now 12, was in the lowest reading group in her classroom but teachers assured Jane that Susan was very bright and would catch up shortly.

In truth, Susan wasn’t catching up. As peers began moving past her in reading, Jane became more anxious and worried.

Read More