Websites & Organizations

• Adlit.org
• Balanced Reading
• Big Ideas in Beginning Reading: University of Oregon
• Center for Early Literacy Learning
• Colorin Colorado — Resources for English Language Learners
• Council for Exceptional Children
• Doing What Works Clearinghouse
• Everything ESL
• Florida Center for Reading Research
• International Dyslexia Association
• International Reading Association
• Just Read, Florida!
• LDOnline
• Lead for Literacy By: The Language Diversity and Literacy Development Research Group, Harvard Graduate School of Education. The Lead for Literacy initiative is a series of one-page memos for policymakers and early literacy leaders on how to improve young children’s literacy, birth to age 9. Using evidence from research, these briefs are designed to help leaders avoid common mistakes and present solutions and strategies for scalability and impact. The memos can be downloaded from the website.
• “Linguistic Accommodations for ELLs” available as part of The Educator’s Academy at RMC.
• Literacy Matters
• Mass Literacy
• National Center on Intensive Intervention
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• National Regional Comprehensive Center with Good Literacy Support Material – Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning and Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
• Reading Rockets
• The Literacy Web, University of Connecticut – Provides links to a list of early literacy websites and online documents
• University of Oregon, Center on Teaching and Learning 
• Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts 
• Voice of Literacy Podcasts

Serious Websites

• My Vocabulary
• PowerUp What Works
• Sentence Diagramming (syntax, grammar)
• The First 4000 Words

Fun Websites

• A Word A Day
• Free Rice

• Bridges, Canada educATe online courses: educATe online courses show teachers and parents how to use assistive technology to help students who struggle with reading and writing. The economical, online, on-demand courses incorporate user-friendly Explainer Style videos that identify specific, research-based reading and writing skills, and then provide suggestions for using common technology software and tools to support instruction and learning of those skills. The courses were developed by Bridges, Canada an educational adaptive technology company that Keys to Literacy has partnered with around literacy and technology. Courses available include:
  • educATe Classroom: Reading
  • educATe Family: Reading and Writing

• Commonwealth Learning Online Institute: Offers quality online professional development courses for teachers that support literacy instruction. Options include:
  • Fully facilitated courses that include graduate credit provided by a choice of three colleges.
  • Self-paced courses

Jim Knight on Instructional Coaching

Kevin Feldman’s Literacy

Shanahan on Literacy

Voyager Sopris Learning

Literacy Lines

Serious Videos

Adolescent Literacy Motivation

Adolescent Literacy Part 1 

Alphabet’s Big Bang

Bookwise Quotes: The Importance of Literacy

Don Deshler Testimony to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Fisher and Frey Collection of Classroom Videos

How to find the main idea

Language Foundations

Literacy Coaching Video with Jim Knight

Matthew Effects: Does Reading Make You Smarter? Dr. Keith Stanovich

Reading Matters

Taking the Lead on Adolescent Literacy — Judith Irvin

Teaching Content is Teaching Reading, Daniel Willingham

The Federal Role in Confronting the Adolescent Literacy Crisis

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

The Power of Writing

The Reading Crisis

The Reading Process — Dr. Reid Lyon

Think Aloud Examples — Dr. Joseph Dimino

Vocabulary and Comprehension Panel Discussion (Isabel Beck, Nanci Bell, Sharon Walpole)

Why Read?

Fun Videos

How to Open a Book

How to Read a Book You Don’t Want to Read (Jim Trelease)

How to Write a Summary of Non-Fiction Text

My Blackberry is Not Working

Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots Rap

Word Parts Rap Song

Adolescent Literacy

Berman, I., & Biancarosa, G. (2005). Reading to achieve: A governor’s guide to adolescent literacy. Washington, DC: National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices.

Boardman, A.G., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Wexler, J., Murray, C.S., and Kosanovich, M. (2008). Effective instruction for adolescent struggling readers: A Practice brief. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Carnegie Council on Advancing Adolescent Literacy. (2010). Time to act: An agenda for advancing adolescent literacy for college and career success. New York, NY: Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Kamil, M.L., Borman, G.D., Dole, J., Kral, C.C., Salinger, T., and Torgesen, J. (2008). Improving adolescent literacy: Effective classroom and intervention practices: A Practical Guide (NCEE #2008-4027). Washington, DC: National Center for Education.

Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Moats, L. C. (2001). “When Older Kids Can’t Read”. Educational Leadership. 58(6), 36-40.

National Governors Association. (2005) Reading to achieve: A governor’s guide to adolescent literacy. Washington, DC: National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices.

National Institute for Literacy (2007). What content-area teachers should know about adolescent literacy. Washington, DC: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Scammacca, N., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Edmonds, M., Wexler, J., Reutebuch, C.K., Torgesen, J.K. (2007). Interventions for adolescent struggling readers: A meta-analysis with implications for practice. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Shanahan, T., Callison, K., Carriere, C., Duke, N.K., Pearson, P.D., Schatschneider, C., & Torgesen, J. (2010). Improving reading comprehension in kindergarten through 3rd grade: A practice guide (NCEE 2010-4038). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

Short, D.J., & Fitzsimmons, S. (2007). Double the work: Challenges and solutions to acquiring the language and academic literacy for adolescent English language learners: A report to the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Washington, DC.

“Supporting Adolescent Literacy Across the Content Areas”, (2001). Perspectives On Policy and Procedure Newsletter, available through LAB at Brown University:

Torgesen, J K.., Houston, D., & Rissman, L. (2007). Improving literacy instruction in middle and high schools: A guide for principals. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Torgesen, J.K., Houston, D.D., Rissman, L. M., Decker, S.M., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Wexler, J., Francis, D.J., Rivera, M.O., & Lesaux, N. (2007). Academic literacy instruction for adolescents: A guidance document from the Center on Instruction. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Williamson, G. L. (2004). Student readiness for postsecondary options. MetaMetrics, Inc.

Content Literacy Instruction and SEI/English Language Learners

Coleman, R., & Goldenberg, C. (2010). What does research say about effective practices for ELLs? Kappa Delta Pi Record, 46 (2).

Deussen, T., Autiio, E., Miller, B., Lockwood, A. T.,& Stewart, V. (2008) What teachers should know about instruction for English language learners. Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, Education Northwest.

Goldenberg, C. (2008). Teaching English language learners: What the research does – and does not – say. American Educator, Summer, 2008.

Goldenberg, C. (2013). Unlocking the research on English learners: What we know – and don’t yet know – about effective instruction. American Educator, Summer, 2013.

Iruja, S.  (2007) What does research tell us about teaching reading to English language learners?  The ELL Outlook. Course Crafters.

Meltzer, J., & Hamann, E.T., (2005). Meeting the literacy developmental needs of adolescents English language learners through content-area learning. Part Two: Focus on classroom teaching and learning strategies. The Education Alliance at Brown University.

Menken, K., & Kleyn, T. (2009). The Difficult Road for Long-term English Learners, Supporting English Language Learners, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Reading Comprehension Skills for English Language Learners. Colorín Colorado (2007)

Robertson, K. (2008). Increasing ELL student reading comprehension with non-fiction text.

Short, D., & Fitzsimmons, S. (2007). Double the work: Challenges and solutions to acquiring language and academic literacy for adolescent English language learners – A report to Carnegie Corporation of New York. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education. Page 10.

Content Literacy Instruction and Students with Learning Disabilities

Connor, C.M., Alberto, P.A., Compton, D.L., O’Connor, R.E. (2014). Improving Reading Outcomes for Students with or at Risk for Reading Disabilities: A Synthesis of the Contributions from the Institute of Education Sciences Research Centers (NCSER 2014-3000). Washington, DC: National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

Boardman, A.G., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Wexler, J., Murray, C.S., and Kosanovich, M. (2008). Effective instruction for adolescent struggling readers.: A Practice brief . Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction. Ava

Connor, C.M., Alberto, P.A., Compton, D.L., & O-Connor, R.E. Improving reading outcomes for students with or at risk for reading disabilities. (2014). National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences.  

Deshler, D.D. & Hoch, M.F., & Catts, H.W. (2006). Enhancing outcomes for struggling adolescent readers. The International Dyslexia Association, Perspectives 32,(3).

Edmonds, M.S., Vaughn, S., Wexler, J., Reutebuch, C., Cable, A., Klingler Tackett, K., & Wick Schnakenberg, J. (2009). A synthesis of reading interventions and effects on reading comprehension outcomes for older struggling readers.

Gorman, C. (2003). The new science of dyslexia. Time Magazine, July 28, 2003.

Harmon, J.M., Hedrick, W.B., & Wood, K.D. (2005). Research on vocabulary instruction in the content areas: Implications for struggling readers. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 21.

Heller, R., & Greenleaf, C.L. (2007). “Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement.” Alliance for Excellent Education.

Jitendra, A.K., Edwards, L.L., Sacks, G., & Jacobson, L.A. (2004). What research says about vocabulary instruction for students with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 70, (3).

Kamil, M.L., Borman, G.D., Dole, J., Kral, C.C., Salinger, T., and Torgesen, J. (2008). Improving adolescent literacy: Effective classroom and intervention practices: A Practical Guide  (NCEE #2008-4027). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

Lenski, S. (2012). What RTI means for content area teachers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 55 (4).

Moats, L. C. (2001). “When Older Kids Can’t Read”. Educational Leadership. 58(6), 36-40.

National Institute for Literacy (2007). What content-area teachers should know about adolescent literacy.  Washington, DC: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

NJCLD: National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (2008). Adolescent literacy and older students with learning disabilities: A report from the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities.

Roberts, G., Torgesen, J.K., Boardman, A., & Scammacca, N. (2008). Evidence-based strategies for reading instruction for older students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice 23 (2).

Scammacca, N., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Edmonds, M., Wexler, J., Reutebuch, C.K., Torgesen, J.K. (2007). Interventions for adolescent struggling readers: A meta-analysis with implications for practice. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Wanzek, J., Wexler, J., Vaughn, S., & Ciullo, S. (2010). Reading interventions for struggling readers in the upper elementary grades: a synthesis of 20 years of research.

Early Literacy

DeBruin-Parecki, A., Perkinson, K., & Ferderer, L. Literacy milestones: Birth to age 3. Reading Rockets.

Duke, N. Reading to learn from the very beginning: Information books in early childhood.

Early Literacy. Family and Community Engagement Research Compendium.

Lesaux, N., Hastings, M., Kelley, J., Marietta, S. & Russ, J. (2010). Turning the page: Refocusing Massachusetts for reading success. Report Commissioned by Strategies for Children.

St. Martin, K., Nantais, M., & Harms, A., Huth, E. (2015). Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory (Elementary-Level Edition). Michigan Department of Education, Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative.

National Governor’s Association (2013). A Governor’s guide to early literacy: getting all students reading by third grade.

National Governor’s Association. Assorted PowerPoint presentations from National Governors Association Policy Institute, May, 2012: “Building a Birth to 3^rd Grade State Policy Agenda: A Policy Institute for Governors’ Advisors and Early Childhood Advisory Councils”

Elizabeth Burke Bryant: Building a Solid Foundation for Governors’ Education Reform Agendas Through Strong Birth-to-3^rd Grade Policies

Dorothy Strickland: Promoting Third Grade Reading Proficiency

Deborah Phillips: From the Brain to the Classroom: The Research Case for a Comprehensive Birth-to-3^rd Policy Agenda

National Institute for Literacy (2009). Early beginnings: Early literacy knowledge and instruction.

National Institute for Literacy (2010). Learning to talk and listen: An oral language resource for early childhood caregivers.

National Institute for Literacy (2008).  Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel.

Reading Rockets Collection of Early Literacy Development Research Studies and Reports

Scammaca, N., Vaughn, S., Roberts, G., Wanzek, J., & Torgesen, J. K. (2007). Extensive reading interventions in grades k– 3: From research to practice. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.

Shanahan, T., Callison, K., Carriere, C., Duke, N.K., Pearson, P.D., Schatschneider, C., & Torgesen, J. (2010). Improving reading comprehension in kindergarten through 3rd grade: A practice guide (NCEE 2010-4038). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education

Literacy in General

Duke, N.K., Bennett-Armistead, S., & Roberts, E.M. (2003). Filling the great void: Why we should bring nonfiction into the early-grade classroom. American Educator.

Hirsch, E.D. (2001). Overcoming the language gap: Make better use of the literacy time block. American Educator.

Hirsch, E.D. (2006). The case for bringing content into the language arts block and for a knowledge-rich curriculum core for all children. American educator.

Hart, B. & Risley, T.R. (2003). The early catastrophe: The 30 million word gap by age 3. American Educator. Spring, 2003.

“Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read” (Booklet for Educators) “Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read” (Parent Guide) Free copies available through: National Institute for Literacy at ED Pubs P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794 Ph: 1-800-228-8813

Reading between the lines: What the ACT reveals about college readiness in reading. (2006). ACT. Iowa City, Iowa.

Wren, S. (2002). Ten myths of reading instruction. SEDL Letter. 14(3). Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.

Adolescent Literacy

Curtis, M.E. & Longo, A.M. (1999). “When Adolescents Can’t Read: Methods and Materials That Work”. Boys Town Reading Center, Nebraska. Available through Brookline Books, Phone 1-800-666-BOOK (57 pages) ISBN: 1-57129-072-9

Deshler, D., Palinscar, A.S., Biancarosa, G., & Nair, M. (2007). Informed choices for struggling adolescent readers: A research based guide to instructional programs and practices. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Guthre, J.T., (Ed.). (2008). Engaging adolescents in reading. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Jetton, T.L. & Dole, J.A. (2004). Adolescent literacy research and practice. New York: The Guildford Press. ISBN: 1-59385-021-2

Langer, J.A. (2000). “Guidelines for Teaching Middle and High School Students to Read”. National Research Center for English Learning and Achievement, University of Albany, NY Phone: 518-442-5933.

McEwan, E.K. (2001). “Raising Reading Achievement In Middle And High Schools: 5 Simple-to-follow Strategies for Principals”. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.

Meltzer, J. (2002). “Adolescent Literacy Resources: Linking Research to Practice”. Available through the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Lab, Brown University. Publications dept: Phone: 401-274-9548, X 782.

Moore, D.W., Alvermann, D.E., & Hinchman, K.A. (Eds.) (2000). Struggling adolescent readers: A collection of teaching strategies. International Reading Association.

Peterson, C.L. et al (2000). “Building Reading Proficiency at the Secondary Level: A Guide to Resources”. Available from the Southwest Educational Development Lab, Austin,TX Phone: 512-476-6861 (145 pages).

Strickland, D., & Alvermann, D.E., (Eds.) (2004). Bridging the literacy gap: Grades 4-12. New York: Teachers College Press.

Content Literacy Instruction and SEI/English Language Learners

August, D. and T. Shanahan, eds. 2006. Executive summary from developing literacy in second-language learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on language-minority children and youth, 3–8. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Calderon, M. (2007). Teaching reading to English language learners, Grades 6-12. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Cloud, N., Genesee, F., & Hamayan, E. (2009). Literacy instruction for English language learners. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Flynn, K. M. & Hill, J. D. (2006). Classroom instruction that works with English language learners. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Jessness, J. (2004). Teaching English Language Learners K-12. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Vogt, M.E., & Short, D.J. (2008). Making content comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model. New York: Pearson.

WIDA (2012). The English Language Development Standards: Kindergarten-Grade 12. Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, on behalf of the WIDA Consortium – www.wida.us

Content Literacy Instruction and Students with Learning Disabilities

Birsh, J.R., (2011). Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, 3^rd Edition. Paul H. Brookes  Publishers.

Brueggemann Taylor, A. E. (2014). Diagnostic assessment of learning disabilities in childhood: Bridging the gap between research and practice. New York: Springer

Clark, D.B., & Uhry, J. K. (1995). Dyslexia: Theory & practice of remedial instruction, 2^nd Edition. Baltimore: York Press.

Fletcher, J.M., Lyon, G.R., Fuchs, L.S., & Barnes, M.A. (2007). Learning disabilities: From identification to intervention. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 159385370X

International Dyslexia Society (2004). Dyslexia: myths, misconceptions, and some practical applications. Baltimore: International Dyslexia Society.

Mather, N. & Wending, B.  J. (2011). Essential of dyslexia assessment and intervention. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons

Moats, L.C., & Dakin, E. (2008). Basic facts about dyslexia and other reading problems. Baltimore: The International Dyslexia Society.

Pugh, K., & McCardle, P. (2009). How children learn to read: Current issues and new directions in the integration of cognition, neurobiology and genetics of reading and dyslexia research and practice. New York: Psychology Press

Shaywitz, S. (2003). Overcoming Dyslexia. Knoff Publishing.

Swanson, L., Harris, K. R., & Graham, S. (2014). Handbook of learning disabilities, 2^nd Edition. New York: Guilford Press.

Early Literacy

Burns, M., Griffin, P., Snow, C. (Eds) (1999). Starting out right: A guide to promoting children’s reading success. National Academy Press.

Duke, N. & Bennett-Armistead, S. (2003). Reading & writing informational text in the primary grades: Research-based practices. New York, Scholastic.

Snow, M., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (1998) Preventing reading difficulties in young children. National Academy Press. Available to buy:

Vaughn, S. & Linen-Thompson, S. (2004). Research-based methods of reading instruction, grades K-3. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Wolfe, P. & Nevills, P. (2004). Building the reading brain, PreK-3. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Literacy In General

Birsh, J.R., (2011). Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, 3rd Edition. Paul H. Brookes Publishers.

Cain, K. (2010). Reading Development and Difficulties. BPS Blackwell Publishers

Cain, K. and Oakhill, J. (2007). Children’s Comprehension Problems in Oral and Written Language. Guilfford Press.

Fielding, L., Kerr, N., & Rosier, P. (2007). Annual Growth for all students, Catch-UP Growth for those who are behind. Kennewick, WA: The New Foundation Press, Inc.

Jones, S., Burns, D., & Pirri, C. (2010). Leading Literacy Change. Sopris West.

Lemov, D. (2010). Teach Like a Champion. Joessey-Bass.

Moats, L. (2005-2011) LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) 12 Modules, Sopris West.

Pedriana, A. 2009. Leaving Johnny Behind. Learning Dynamics Press.

Samuels, S.J. & Farstrup, A.E. (2011). What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction, 4th edition. International Reading Association.

Sedita, J. and Moats, L. (2006) LETRS Module 11, Writing: A Road to Reading Comprehension, Sopris West

Shaywitz, S. (2003). Overcoming Dyslexia. Knoff Publishing.

Snow, Catherine; Griffin, Peg; & Burns, M. Susan (eds.). © 2005. Knowledge to Support the Teaching of Reading. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Snow, M., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (1998) Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. National Academy Press. ISBN 0-309-06418

Wolf, M. (2007). Proust and the Squid. Harper Collins Publishers.

Vocabulary and Comprehension Specific

Beck, I. L. & McKeown, M.G. (2002). Bringing words to life. New York: Guilford Press.

Beck. I. L., (2006). Questioning the Author. Scholastic.

Biemiller, A. Language Reading Success. Brookline Books.

Block, C.C. & Pressley, M. (2002). Comprehension instruction: Research-based best practices. New York: Guilford Press.

Block. C.C., Gambrell, L.B., & Pressley, M. (2002). Improving Comprehension Instruction: Rethinking Research, Theory, and Classroom Practice. Jossey-Bass.

Carlisle, J.R., & Rice, M.S. (2002). Improving reading comprehension: Research-based principles and practices. Baltimore, MD: York Press.

Ebbers, S. Vocabulary Through Morphemes. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.

Farstrup, A.E., and Samuels, S.J. (2008). What Research Has to Say About Vocabulary Instruction. International Reading Association.

Graves, M.F. 2006. The vocabulary book. New York: Teachers College Press

Harvey, S. & Goudvis. A. (2007). Strategies That Work; Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and Engagement. Stenhouse Publishers.

Israel, S.E., and Duffy, G.G. (2009). Handbook of Research on Reading Comprehension. Routledge.

Klingner, J.K., Vaughn, S., Dimino, J., Schumm, J.S., & Bryant, D. (2001). Collaborative Strategic Reading. Longmont, CO: Sopris West ISBN: 1-57035-452-9

Marzano, R.J. (2004). Building Background Knowledge. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Moats, L, & Sedita, J. (2005). LETRS Module 11: Writing: A Road to Reading Comprehension. Longmont, CO: Sopris West ISBN: 1-59318-199-X

Sedita, J. (2003). The Key Three Routine: Comprehension Strategies. Boxford, MA: Sedita Learning Strategies. www.keystoliteracy.net

Snow, C. (2002). (Chair). RAND reading study group: Reading for understanding: Toward an R&D program in reading comprehension. Santa Monica, CA: RAND

Stahl, S. A. (1999). Vocabulary development. Brookline, MA: Brookline Books.

Stahl, S.A. and Nagy, W.E., (2006). Teaching Word Meanings. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Sweet, A.P., & Snow, C. E. (2003). Rethinking reading comprehension. New York: Guilford Press.

Wagner, R.K., Muse, A.E., & Tannenbaum, K. R. (2007). Vocabulary Acquisition: Implications for Reading Comprehension. Guilford Press.