Among the six key skills needed for literacy development, two are commonly used interchangeably: phonics and phonological awareness. While their names sound similar, they are distinct, and knowing the difference between the two is essential for teachers and administrators who seek to teach using the science of reading. Read on
Inspiring young children to read, share stories, and write can help them build skills that will stay with them for years to come. April is a great month to celebrate the joy of reading and writing with two national events: National Library Week and Encourage a Young Writer Day. These
February marks Black History Month, a dedicated observance of the achievements, heritage, and contributions of Black Americans. It can also be an opportunity to find resources to integrate Black history into your curriculum throughout the year. In this article, we’ll talk about the connection between Black History Month and the
Women’s History Month, observed each March, is a dedicated time to honor the accomplishments, resilience, and contributions of women. For elementary teachers, this month provides an opportunity and a reminder to include women’s history in your year-round curriculum. The significance of Women’s History Month serves as a powerful reminder that
Math is around us everywhere, from the addition used when counting toys to the geometry of spotting shapes in the clouds. When you’re making a plan for home learning routines, math picture books will help your child practice new math skills while improving their reading comprehension. The ability to understand
Just like family-teacher partnerships, a strong relationship between teachers and administrators is important for ensuring that students have the academic support they need. At the heart of this partnership is trust—something that takes time and conscious effort to build. Trust is not only important for a professional relationship between educators
Find out how a student’s literacy development is strongly connected to their spoken and written communication skills. Then, discover helpful strategies for teaching communication skills in the classroom—along with five free writing activities. What Are Communication Skills and Why Are They Important for Early Literacy Development? Communication skills are defined
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (December 13, 2023) — Waterford.org, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing equitable access to proven early education programs for children and the adults who support them, proudly announces it has been awarded a generous $10 million grant from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving. Yield Giving, the philanthropic organization
Learning to read is seemingly effortless for only a small percentage of students–around 5%, according to Julie Christensen, Vice President of Curriculum at Waterford, in a recent webinar. The vast majority of students need systematic and explicit instruction to build reading proficiency. Investing in early childhood literacy programs–from PreK to
The human brain is pre-wired for speech, but learning to read always involves explicit instruction. “Learning to read requires several years of intentional instruction,” explains Waterford Director of Curriculum Julie Christensen in a recent video. And the earlier that children are introduced to the foundational skills for reading, the better. Experts
