Videos: Symposiums

One of my 1st graders, who has significant learning needs, struggles to tell apart short 'e' and short 'i'. I’ve been focusing on this with him, but he still mixes them up. What can I do?

Once isolated from reading, writing instruction is evolving toward integration. New research champions interleaving— revisiting genres across the year— to deepen retention and strengthen transfer. The result? Writing that’s connected and inspired by what students read.

Many African American children enter school speaking a rich, rule-governed language system that is often misunderstood or undervalued. Carla Burrell Stanford and Logan McWilliams explain how understanding African American English (AAE) as an asset can guide instructional decisions and support skilled reading.

Building on insights shared by Dr. Katie Pace Miles, this overview highlights three analogies from Ehri, Shanahan, and Kim that clarify how reading and writing relate. A brief look at how key theoretical models explain both the overlap and differences between the two skills.

Emergent literacy lays the foundation for later success in reading and spelling. Insights from Ehri’s Phases of Reading Development help leaders implement school-wide literacy programs, set clear goals, and prioritize professional development to support emerging readers.

This article highlights effective classroom practices that honor speakers of African American English. Culturally responsive instruction can improve outcomes and build confident, skilled learners.

When students don’t see themselves in the stories they read, engagement and comprehension suffer. Dr. Lakeisha Johnson discusses strategies for selecting and using diverse books to strengthen reading comprehension for all learners.

Accurate assessment requires cultural and linguistic awareness. This article explores how to analyze reading probes for students who speak African American English, honoring dialectal differences and making instructional decisions that promote equity.

Every student brings a unique language background to school. With insights from Dr. Julie Washington and others, this piece explores the difference between language, accent, and dialect and offers suggestions for how to honor and affirm the way students speak.

African American English has deep historical roots and a rich linguistic system. This piece traces its origins, showing how understanding AAE’s history empowers educators to honor students’ language and challenge their misconceptions.