With the recent passage of the Right to Read Act, you may be wondering what classroom instruction looks like based on the Science of Reading. 

Reading requires deliberate, systematic attention – and so does shifting to the Science of Reading in your school. Aside from the need for high-quality instructional materials, it also requires new mindsets, metrics and more. Here are five incremental changes you can make today as you explore and implement true Science of Reading instruction. 

Please note: The following takeaways address in-classroom strategies recommended by Science of Reading curriculum provider, Amplify Education. These points don’t specifically reflect the requirements of 2023 Wisconsin Act 20.

  1. Use decodable readers, not leveled readers. Students need regular practice with grade-level text. Texts connected to each day’s phonics instruction help students apply what they’ve learned.
  2. Provide all students with dedicated phonics instruction, not mini-lessons. Reading isn’t innate and must be taught through explicit, systematic instruction. Effective phonics instruction requires time for teaching, application and practice with measurable objectives.
  3. Help students with phonics-based scaffolds, not three-cueing or word guessing. Learning to decode builds neural pathways that are critical to automatic reading. Students need practice, not guesswork or sounding out words.
  4. Teach content, not isolated comprehension strategies. Language comprehension is as important as decoding. The more background knowledge students receive, the more prior knowledge and vocabulary they can bring to the text.
  5. Follow a clear instructional path, not a “choose your own adventure” model. Explicit guidance and a cohesive structure are the most beneficial elements of effective teaching. It gives every student the support they need now, without waiting for intervention.

For more resources to support your shift to research-based literacy instruction, visit Amplify Education’s website. 

A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and formative assessment. They specialize in K-12 literacy, math and science instruction. Amplify serves more than five million students — in public and private schools — in all 50 states. Learn more here.

This article was submitted by WCRIS Sponsor, Amplify Education. Interested in sponsorship? Contact WCRIS.