Videos

Dr. Frey talks about assessing background knowledge, the value of independent and shared reading, how guest speakers in the classroom can help, and offers a warning about a “core set of knowledge.”

Lisa Guernsey discusses the Comienza en Casa program.

Kristina Robertson describes why drawing on students’ existing background knowledge is an effective strategy for content instruction.

Key ingredients for comprehension include an understanding of how the mechanics of reading work, reasonable spoken language skills, knowledge of the world, and motivation.

Comprehension instruction often focuses too much on teaching strategies without knowing if the students have the necessary background knowledge

Master teacher Dr. Rebecca Palacios runs a dual-language immersion preschool and mentors teachers-in-training on how to provide top-notch teaching in a preschool environment.

When used effectively, mentor texts offer relatable insights into authors and the written works they have produced.

Dr. Mark Seidenberg explains that learning to read is highly dependent on previous experiences with spoken language and how that language is used to refer to the world.

Dr. Karl Alexander discusses the best practices for summer learning.

Dr. Palacios describes ways to make ELL families feel welcome in the preschool setting and suggests literacy activities that parents can try at home.