What is structured literacy?

• Structured literacy is a highly effective approach to teaching literacy.  Structured literacy incorporates explicit and systematic instruction.  Direct instruction is utilized to teach key skills, and review is utilized to ensure automaticity.  

• Structured literacy is aligned to the Science of Reading and best teaching practices.  

• Research shows that structured literacy is effective for all subgroups of students, including EL, SPED, and students with reading difficulties.

• Structured literacy includes whole and small group instruction that is data driven and in response to students’ needs.

What are the key components of structured literacy?

1.  Phonological Awareness

2.  Word Work: Phonics, Word Recognition, Spelling

3.  Fluency

4.  Comprehension and Vocabulary

5.  Writing and Language

6.  Small Group Instruction / Targeted Intervention

• Small group instruction is intended to accelerate students’ literacy and language needs by using flexible groupings.   Teachers can use small group instruction as a way to provide intervention or enrichment. 

7.  Designated ELD

• • DELD is coupled with the structured literacy block to ensure that English learners are equipped with the necessary skills to reclassify as English proficient students.  

How does Structured Literacy fit into the Science of Literacy?

• Structured Literacy is an approach to teaching reading and writing that is explicit, systematic, sequential, and cumulative.  Structured Literacy incorporates all key components of  literacy.  Students are engaged in repeated practice for progression of skills 

• The Science of Literacy has revealed that Structured Literacy is effective for all students.  The Science of Literacy informs educators of how students learn to read and write, as well as why some students struggle to attain key literacy skills.

• Implementing Structured Literacy and the Science of Literacy will yield positive reading outcomes for our students.

How does the district's recommended models support the implementation of structured literacy?

• The suggested grade-level literacy blocks provide the framework for teaching in a structured, explicit, and systematic way.  

• The suggested grade-level literacy blocks are aligned to the Science of Reading and research-based best practices.  Essential skills, instructional routines, and high leverage activities are provided for each key literacy component.  Resources are provided to support teachers’ implementation of the suggested routines and activities in order to effectively teach the skills within the standards.

• The suggested literacy block ensures that every element of literacy is a focus of daily instruction.  Recommended minutes are provided.