Resources
“Struggling readers will never catch up until we provide sufficient expert and intensive reading instruction.” – Allington
Why Not Workshop
Across the nation, students struggle in the traditional classroom for many different reasons such as being unable to afford typical supplemental educational and other enrichment programs or they are impacted by trauma that affects their growth both inside and outside of the classroom. This is why our team has compiled over a decade of research to work towards the goal of supporting young people through educational services in a nontraditional setting. Working together, we can help create programs, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.
There is now considerable evidence, from recent intervention studies, that reading difficulties in most beginning readers may not be caused by biologically based cognitive deficits intrinsic to the child, but may in fact be related to the opportunities provided for children learning to read.
Vellutino, F. R., & Fletcher, J. M. (2005)
Parent Resources
Look for all these researchers on YouTube and other social media.
Caring for children with complex needs can be difficult for everyone involved. To name a few, these resources gave us the clarity and direction to best serve our participants. Now, we want to share those resources with you too!
Beginning Reading Tips for Parents: One of Dr. Sam Bommarito’s videos that provide helpful tips, suggestions, and helpful tutorials for parents from a reading researcher.
What are ACES? How to reduce trauma and effects?: Children perceive, process, and internalize disturbing or unsettling events differently than adults do. This resource offers some information about how we can help children navigate the adverse experiences they are bound to encounter growing up.
How Can I Advocate for My Child?: Dr. Ross Greene offers hope when children struggle to regulate behavior. Lives in the Balance offers resources like Facebook groups, podcasts, and videos that provide validation and comfort for caregivers and support when communicating with schools.
Between the Lions: While we don’t usually advocate for screen time, these videos from the Early Reading Collection provide excellent support for all the key components of early reading skills for your emerging and beginning readers!
Reading Rockets: Reading Rockets is a great resource for grownups to discover what’s important to know about all things READING including parent tip sheets, videos, articles, blogs by researchers and so much more!
Unfortunately, putting good books in front of our students has not been the focus in many of our nation’s schools.
Gallagher (2009)
Professional Development Resources
Look for all these researchers on YouTube and other social media.
After retiring from 50 years of service in education from Kindergarten to graduate school, Dr. Sam Bommarito is still sharing his wisdom and experience with teaching professionals.
A former high school English teacher, Dr. Thomas, Professor of Education at Furman University, examines reading wars, equity, and grading in his thought-provoking blog.
A frank discussion of current reading research and practices.
Dr. Tim Rasinski explains why teaching reading is an art and a science.
Dr. Mesmer discusses using research to drive instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness and other key components of literacy instruction for beginning readers as described in her book Letter Lessons and First Words.
Dr. Tim Rasinski’s website provides research, articles, and activities to help build fluency.