The primary focus of phonics instruction is to help beginning readers understand how letters are linked to sounds (phonemes) to form letter-sound correspondences and spelling patterns and to help them learn how to apply this knowledge in their reading.

Participants will be instructed on how to successfully implement direct, explicit, systematic phonics instruction into daily classroom practice using evidence-based practices. Phonics rules and implementation tips will be addressed.

A reader is fluent when he or she can read with accuracy, speed, and understanding. A growing research base points to the importance of teaching fluency. Participants will be provided with evidence-based strategies for improving reading fluency. How to use decodable texts in everyday instruction will also be covered.

Comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret what is read. Teachers play an important part in helping students develop strategies to aid comprehension before, during, and after reading. Participants will be given strategies for increasing students’ comprehension of connected text. Topics covered will include background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge.

Vocabulary plays an important part in learning to read. Children learn the meanings of most words indirectly, through everyday experiences with oral and written language. Other words are learned through carefully designed instruction. Participants will be given strategies to successfully implement explicit vocabulary instructional routines and to embed indirect vocabulary instruction into daily oral language. Assessment of vocabulary will also be addressed.