This eight-part webinar series, Turning Theory into Practice was created for educators to enhance their understanding of the key components of literacy instruction and how to implement evidence-based approaches in the classroom. This series leads educators through research findings and then addresses each component of literacy instruction, providing you with effective instructional strategies and useful resources.
Part 1: Introduction to the Science of Reading
Presenter: Michele Pentyliuk, Registered Psychologist
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Michele kicks of the series by reviewing current evidence regarding the development of literacy skills in children and why some children struggle to learn to read and spell. She explores the debate around the Science of Reading, and then reviews key components of reading instruction and the benefits of early identification and intervention. Michele wraps up her session with introducing educators to a Structured Literacy approach.
Part 2: Phonological Awareness
Presenter: Sylvia Hannah, Reading Specialist
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Phonological Awareness, and phonemic awareness in particular, is scientifically proven to be a critical pillar in learning how read and spell. Sylvia shares her extensive experience in teaching students’ concrete strategies to hear, identify, and manipulate speech sounds within words.
Part 3: Phonics
Presenter: Pam Lougheed Stack, Literacy & Program Director, and Experienced Educator
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Children’s reading and spelling development is dependent upon their understanding of the alphabetic principle; that letters and letter patterns represent the sounds of spoken language. Research has proven that explicit and systematic phonics instruction is a critical component of effective reading and spelling instruction.
So how do we implement phonics instruction? Join Pam Lougheed-Stack as she delves into:
- Stages of word reading development and the alphabetic principle.
- What research tell us about systematic & explicit phonics instruction.
- How to incorporate phonics instruction into an evidence-based Structured Literacy Approach.
Part 4: Fluency
Presenter: Dr. Coranne Johnson, Registered Psychologist
Total Course Hours: 1.5
This course explains the important role that fluency plays in literacy development, highlighting research that contributes to that understanding. Educators will gain valuable insight into the role of fluency and learn how to incorporate fluency into their literacy instruction.
Part 5: Morphology
Presenter: Kristy Dunn, University of Alberta Doctoral Candidate and Experienced Educator
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Understanding morphology, the study of the internal structure of words, is foundational to making sense of how the English writing system works. The following presentation will lead teachers through key research evidence and review components of morphology instruction. Attendees will be provided with resources and instructional strategies for teaching morphology at the early and upper elementary grade levels.
Part 6: Vocabulary – Foundational to Reading Comprehension
Presenter: Nancy Musica, ESL & Gifted Consultant at the Edmonton Public School District
Total Course Hours: 1.5
In this informative webinar, Nancy dives into three main topics: the theory behind the importance of vocabulary in developing comprehension; how we define words; and strategies that build a rich vocabulary. During her discussion, Nancy shares a wealth of practical resources that teachers can utilize with students of all ages.
Part 7: Comprehension
Presenter: Michelle Smith, Registered Psychologist
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Comprehension is the goal of reading and the result of mastery and integration of all the components of effective instruction. Using Scarborough’s Reading Rope model, this session will explore the research on the strands of skilled reading that gradually weave together to lead to text comprehension, along with practical strategies and instructional practices that align with the research.
Part 8: Assessment Informs Instruction – Response to Intervention
Presenters: Dr. George Georgiou, Professor at the University of Alberta, and Helene Hewitt, School Principal with Elk Island Public Schools
Total Course Hours: 1.5
Dr. Georgiou and Ms. Hewitt walk the audience through the principles of Response to Intervention (RTI) in literacy instruction and how it can be operationalized at a school level. This includes a description of the assessments and intervention programs that are used at school to reduce reading difficulties.
