Evidence points to the skills and instruction needed to develop a reading brain.
Developed with Wiley Blevins, decodable readers support acquisition of phonics skills.
Learn what the Science of Reading says about the importance of decodables.
Representation and a funds-of-knowledge approach establish the foundation for learning.
Understand how to embrace diversity to cultivate academic success.
Early literacy intervention with authentic Spanish resources that follow a Spanish phonics sequence
Support for older newcomers and other ELs at preliterate or primary reading levels
Targeted resources that address unfinished learning and close skill gaps
Skill and vocabulary development for transfer between English and Spanish
Age-appropriate leveled topic sets with scaffolds for literacy and English language development
Resources to build social, structural, and academic language
Application of explicit instruction in phonics and high-frequency words in decodable text
Spanish poems, stories, and nonfiction that teach initial Spanish literacy skills
Support for young students’ transition to reading and learning in Spanish
A new podcast for teachers by teachers (and literacy experts)
Expert tips and the latest research, and personal stories behind the journey of great teaching
Representation is key to all students’ educational success. Join Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert Jessica Velasco and Patty McGee as they discuss the "model minority" myth, overcoming personal bias, and practical ways to increase representation in the classroom.
Join Dr. Rachael Gabriel and Patty McGee for a discussion on the intersection of the Sciences of Reading and equity, as they explore research-based strategies for instruction that supports literacy achievement for every student.
Dr. Adria Klein and Patty McGee discuss how small-group instruction advances the Sciences of Reading by enabling flexibility, providing opportunities for observation and assessment, and bolstering responsive teaching that meets all learners’ needs.
What are we learning about how children learn to read? And how does that inform our instructional practices and accelerate student learning? Join Dr. C.C. Bates and Patty McGee as they discuss where theory meets practice in the literacy classroom.
Understanding the evolving research about how children learn is critical in bolstering reading success. Dr. Rachael Gabriel and Dr. Peter Afflerbach discuss the intersection of The Sciences of Reading and motivation, engagement, and self-efficacy and how it informs best instructional practices.
During challenging times, joyful stories are more important than ever. Christine Taylor-Butler, author of more than 80 books and stories for young people, shares the importance of positive stories that affirm identity and provide uplifting experiences.
When we simplify writing instruction it becomes joyful, meaningful and deeply fulfilling for everyone involved. Patty McGee, author of ‘Writer’s Workshop Made Simple: 7 Essentials for Every Classroom and Every Writer,’ shares some of the best ways for teachers to support writers in the classroom.
What can we do to meet the needs of newcomer students in our schools? Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes discusses how to create welcoming environments for these students, from better understanding their unique needs to building their social-emotional and academic confidence to support impactful learning.
Restorative practitioner Steve Fiedeldy joins Patty McGee to discuss the importance of understanding and addressing trauma in an educational community.
The Science of Reading refers to a much-discussed body of research around how students learn to read. But what could be missing from the conversation?
What is agency? And how is it supported by engagement in the classroom? Co-authors of WIRE for Agency, Jean Hayhurst and Jill DeRosa, join Patty McGee to define these terms...
Leah Mermelstein , author of ‘"We-Do" Writing: Maximizing Practice to Develop Independent Writers,’ talks with author and educator Patty McGee about how collaboration between educators...
Teacher-Author Patty McGee and educator Lena Schmidt explore the work of creating spaces that affirm the identities of LGBTQ+ students within the classroom, the school, and the community.
Vocabulary is critically important. By the end of first grade, vocabulary is a predictor of either reading success or reading problems in middle school and high school. Dr. Margarita Calderón joins author and educator Patty McGee to discuss...
Reycraft Books Libraries
Native American Collection includes award-winning authors and illustrators.
Enfoque en
Authentic Spanish texts enrich instruction and build content knowledge.
Read at Home Kits
Family-friendly kits support learning outside the classroom.
Steps to Advance
Gradual steps provide a scaffold to complex text.
PD Essentials
Explicitly connect writing to children's reading.
Spot On
Small-group nonfiction and fiction feature 10 key content strands.
When we teach reading, we should focus on the strategies and skills that research demonstrates are essential for success. But when we teach readers, we can incorporate instruction for metacognition, motivation and engagement, and self-efficacy, in addition to strategy and skills. Dr. Peter Afflerbach visits the Benchmark Blog to explore a more broadly-based instructional approach for student readers’ development and the Sciences of Reading.
Research shows that using a combination of techniques to help students build both reading fluency and comprehension skills is ideal. In the second post of our Best Practices series, we’ll examine the six main types of comprehension strategies available for use in the classroom and how each provides its own unique set of benefits for various types of learners.
When we ground decisions in our understanding of what our students know and control, and apply this knowledge to effective instructional practices, decisions become intentional and productive. Dr. C.C. Bates visits the Benchmark Blog to explore how interactive writing enables educators to target key foundational skills, differentiate instruction, and make in-the-moment decisions that best support learners.
Wherever you fall on the love-hate continuum of grammar, we can all probably find common ground in at least one belief: Writing loses power without the strong, intentional use of grammar. Patty McGee explores 5 simple yet powerful instructional shifts that will have a huge impact on how students use grammar as their artistic tool to mold, construct, and shape their writing.
