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Research
A robust body of research points to the fact that systematic, explicit foundational skills instruction is a critical part of early childhood instruction, and it is crucial for students as they are learning to read and write in English. This document is a collection of research and scholarship that articulates the evidence base for explicit foundational skills instruction. In addition to making the case for why such instruction is necessary for students’ ability to develop as readers, the document also provides insight into the practices and program components that reflect this type of high-quality, evidence-based teaching. The material is organized into the five components of foundational skills and includes an additional section illustrating the research connection between foundational skills in reading and vocabulary, knowledge, and comprehension.
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Early Reading Acceleration
Reading science emphasizes two critical pieces of early reading instruction: systematically securing foundational skills and building knowledge and vocabulary. These “Early Reading Accelerators” are essential content that all readers need access to in order to become proficient readers, and any effective classroom instruction or materials will intentionally amplify these two areas. While each student and their experiences are unique, we can accelerate the development of reading proficiency for all students by implementing these practices strategically. Learn more about the Early Reading Accellerators and the role of systematic foundational skills instruction in this critical content collection.
View Early Reading Accelerators
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Foundationals Skill on Our Blog
Find Aligned blog posts from a variety of perspectives on aligned resources, materials adaptation, implementation, observation, and other topics critical to the effective and systematic instruction of foundational skills.
View Blog Collection
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ELA / Literacy: Foundational Skills
Understand Foundational Skills
One of the most important jobs of an early-grade teacher is to support students as they unlock the code to the written language. A robust body of research points to the fact that systematic, explicit foundational skills instruction is a critical part of early childhood instruction, and it is crucial for students as they are learning to read and write in English.