Structured Literacy

This book follows the explicit instructional sequence noted by educational researchers as the most effective means of teaching students new skills and content. It begins by offering a rationale for why students should be interested in learning about structured literacy, and how they can use it in their teaching practice. It provides background knowledge needed to contextualize the book’s content. Then, it takes learners step by step through the process of assessing students and creating effective structured literacy instructional routines. Detailed information about how to implement structured literacy instruction and intervention at all three tiers is provided. This textbook will be a unique and valuable addition to the extant literature because thus far, no book has approached the topic in this way. There are books about structured literacy that include examples of learning activities (Spear-Swerling, et al., 2021), but there is no single comprehensive textbook that can be readily picked up and used by college instructors and their students.

This book is not a compendium of the research, nor is it a program with scripted lessons. It is a comprehensive textbook that uniquely provides the background information on structured literacy and the methods related content needed to successfully prepare preservice teachers to assess, plan and implement structured literacy instruction and intervention. The book is designed to be used in the context of a college level one or two semester undergraduate or graduate literacy course. Currently, no similar textbook exists.

This book defines structured literacy, describes the history of reading research and the science of reading. Then, the book provides explicit information about how students learn to read and the most effective methods and strategies teachers can use to teach reading to all students. Next, the book provides detailed and specific instruction in specific structured literacy practices to use at Tiers 1 and 2. Intensive assessment, diagnostic and instructional strategies for learners who require individualized Tier 3 intervention are thoroughly explained. Many detailed examples of specific instructional routines and corrective procedures are included, along with reproducibles that support lesson planning, implementation, and assessment. At the end of each chapter, discussion questions and suggestions for hands-on learning activities are provided.

Preparing pre-service teachers in the whys and hows of structured literacy instruction and intervention allows them to teach reading effectively according to current understanding of the science of reading. Teachers prepared with this knowledge base will be able to use the resources in this book to create additional materials and adapt materials from any literacy program to individualize instruction according to the needs of their students.

This book will be a valuable addition to any college level general or special education reading methods course. The instructional routines taught in the book are designed to be accessible to students with and without disabilities. Effective reading instruction, such as the kind described in this book, increases educational equity for students of color and English learners. Suggestions for differentiating instruction based upon individual student needs are provided.