Themes of Support and Intervention: 2024 in Review From EDVIEW360
As we begin to close out this calendar year and prepare for the holidays, it is a good time to reflect on what has been the most popular of our meaningful professional learning offerings from EDVIEW360 during 2024. We know what’s been most useful and meaningful to you because you told us.
Across the country, the science of reading became more firmly entrenched as the gold standard for research-based literacy instruction. In addition, our readers and listeners have been happy to learn more about the science of teaching because it makes our literacy instruction more impactful and effective.
Three topics rose to the top of EDVIEW360 this year: Adolescent literacy intervention, the needs of English language learners, and accommodations for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. As you relax and enjoy the holidays, these popular resources can remind you about how important the work you do is in helping students reach fluency.
BLOG POST
Hello Syllabication! A Key Focus for Older Students
Many older students struggle with decoding multisyllabic words. Breaking complex words into smaller parts is a game-changer for word recognition. Beginning in fifth grade, students will encounter approximately 10,000 new words each year, most of which are multisyllabic. Students who build a strong foundation in syllabication can significantly accelerate the decoding process as they move toward fluency.
Try to find some quiet time during the holidays to read this blog post for tips and strategies for working with students who struggle with multisyllabic words. In it, Brittany Kay revealed the six common syllable types that will help learners: closed, open, silent e, vowel team, r-controlled, and consonant-le. Kay said, “Understanding these types unveils patterns within words, empowering students to grasp pronunciation nuances.”
She advised a structured approach, beginning with the two most prevalent syllable types: closed and open. These two types give students a strong start, as they cover 75 percent of the syllables in words. This post will re-energize you for the post-holiday season.
About the Author: Brittany Kay is the director of curriculum and instruction in Traverse City (Michigan) Schools, which serves 9,000 students. With 13 years of experience, she has had roles including classroom teacher, K–5 interventionist, instructional coach, and district ELA leader in both rural and urban settings. Kay is passionate about creating sustainable and impactful change in education by working with district stakeholders to elevate instructional practices tied to science.
PODCAST
Reading Science and Teaching Literacy to English Learners: Conceptual and Practical Implications
Literacy experts Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Claude Goldenberg shared a lively and informative discussion about what reading science tells us about how students learn to read in a language other than their own. These two powerhouse educators explored the relationship between oral and written language learning and the implications for teaching students with varied language backgrounds. They discussed:
- Universal principles and guidelines for teaching children to read and write in any language
- Some fundamental ideas and practices about teaching ELs that any teacher should know
- The role of oral language comprehension and use when learning to read and write in a second language
- Chronic gaps between white, black, and Hispanic students in the U.S., and evidence to support doing more to help students who are not achieving
Teachers find it difficult to schedule professional learning time with such busy school schedules. Perhaps, you can listen to this conversation while making holiday treats or wrapping presents.
About the podcast guests: Dr. Louisa Moats has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. She is the author of Speech to Print, Spellography, and the creator of LANGUAGE! Live® and LETRS®.
Dr. Claude Goldenberg is the Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education, Emeritus, at Stanford University. He taught junior high in San Antonio, Texas, and first grade in a bilingual elementary school in Los Angeles. His areas of research center on promoting academic achievement among language minority students, particularly those from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.
WEBINAR
Empowering Students with Dyslexia in the Classroom: Making Accommodations Meaningful and Accessible
Renewed and refreshed after the holidays, you can start off the new year with meaningful accommodations for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. Accommodations should always be made with the individual student in mind. Removing the stigma or shame of accommodations helps students build self-esteem and develop agency.
Webinar attendees learn:
- How mindful and intentional application of accommodations sets students with dyslexia up for success.
- Key recommendations for supporting students with dyslexia in the academic setting.
- A deeper understanding of high- and low-tech accommodations within the classroom.
About the Presenter: Casey Harrison is the founder of The Dyslexia Classroom and Wimberley (Texas) Dyslexia and Learning Center. She is a certified academic language therapist (ALTA), licensed dyslexia therapist (Texas, ALTA), certified Structured Literacy dyslexia specialist (IDA), and a qualified teacher with more than 27 years of experience. Harrison is a national presenter and author of Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis—Empowering Students with Dyslexia Through the Science of Reading (release 2025).
Looking Ahead to 2025
EDVIEW360 will continue to focus on sharing the best practices for reading, writing, and math instruction next year. Experts from the field will present webinars, record podcasts, and share blog posts to help educators stay current in their professional learning. As you get some well-deserved R&R during the holidays, know that we value your attention and will continue to support you as you help students to be fluent in education and life.
Be sure you don’t miss new EDVIEW360 content in 2025 by signing up to be notified here. Enjoy the holidays, and we’ll see you again in the new year!