Getting Started with the Science of Reading

In this post, I share free resources for learning about the science of reading. I offer my favorite videos, podcasts, and books about the science of reading, as well as my FREE Science of Reading toolkit that offers resources to help you put this new learning into action in kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms!

Each day, I receive smart and thoughtful questions from teachers like you who are ready to learn more about the science of reading.  They are eager to read, listen and watch all they can to better understand how children learn to read. They want to bring more effective literacy instruction into their classroom. 

To help answer some of these questions, I decided to create a blog post all about sources that have been most helpful to me in my journey to learn all I can about how children learn to read.  It is the place to come to find the best videos, podcasts, books, and resources about the science of reading. I hope these resources will answer some of the questions you have about effective reading instruction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I earn a few nickels should you choose to make a purchase through the link.

Videos about the Science of Reading

These videos are quick and easy ways to gain more information about the SoR. Grab a drink, take a comfy seat, and give them a watch!

Is My Kid Learning How to Read?

This is an interesting, short 2-part video created by a mom who saw a lot of contradictions between the science of reading and the way her daughter was being taught how to read.  She shows what happens when her daughter tries to read a text without the support of pictures, context, or a repetitive sentence pattern.

In Part 2, she gives her daughter direct phonics instruction and decodable texts. She shows us how the phonics lessons help her daughter learn to read.  It’s pretty amazing to watch! 


Science of Reading Live Training Sessions with Christina Winter

My YouTube channel and this blog post is where I store video recordings of free SoR trainings I have offered.  You can find videos about:

Decodable Texts 

Orthographic Mapping and Heart Words

Phoneme Grapheme Word Mapping

Sound Walls

Effective Word Study Instruction

Structured Literacy Centers Aligned to the Science of Reading

Phonemic Awareness Instruction

These videos provide you with information and resources to help you bring more SoR-aligned instruction to kindergarten, first and second-grade students.

Science of Reading Podcasts

I am a huge podcast junkie and these are the best ones I’ve found about the science of reading. 

First, the American Public Media Reports team produced four audio documentaries in the past four years about the way children are taught to read. I highly recommend each of them and suggest starting with Emily Handford’s At a Loss for Words, which is part of the Educate podcast.   

The Educate Podcast

Science of Reading: The Podcast is another great one. It shares the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading.  Each episode explores a timely topic related to the reading instruction.

Finally, Anna Geiger of The Measured Mom is a former teacher with a great series of Science of Reading podcasts called Triple R Teaching. She hits on important topics and breaks the new information into manageable parts.  

The Best Books about the Science of Reading

I have spent a lot of time reading about the SoR. These are the books that have been the most informative, engaging, and helpful to me.   

  • The Knowledge Gap, by Natalie Wexler. This highly-engaging book examines our country’s frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education and suggests how we can help all students acquire the knowledge and vocabulary they need to succeed.
  • A Fresh Look at Phonics, by Wiley Blevins.  Anyone who follows me knows I’m a HUGE fan of Wiley Blevins and this book is one of my favorites. In it, he explains the 7 ingredients of phonics instruction that lead to the greatest student gains. He shares lessons, routines, word lists, tips for ELL and advanced learners, and advice on things to avoid regarding pacing, decodable texts, transition time, and more. 
  • Equipped for Reading Success, by David Kilpatrick.  This book is SO MUCH information!!  It summarizes the science of reading research results in a clear and easy(ish)-to-read manner.   It is a great way to get up to date on all the recent findings. In addition, the book gives teachers a ready to implement complete phonemic awareness program.
  • Speech to Print, by Louisa Cook Moats. For decades this book has been a bestselling, widely adopted textbook on explicit, high-quality literacy instruction.  This third edition now includes ten years of new research, a complete package of supporting materials, and expanded guidance on the how of assessment and instruction in today’s classrooms.  

Free Science of Reading Resources 

After gaining all of this information, I hope you’re feeling ready to put some of it into action! My FREE Science of Reading toolkit is a resource that has everything you need to get started with structured literacy in your K-2 classroom.

The FREE Science of Reading toolkit includes: 

💕 Phonics scope and sequences for kindergarten, first, and second grade

💕 A Phoneme-Grapheme Dictionary

💕 Editable parent letters that teach about the Science of Reading & the Heart Word Method

💕 Heart Word and Syllable Types Teaching Posters

💕 Word Mapping Activities- Seasonal Word Mapping Mats and Pop-it Fidget Mats

When you sign up to receive the toolkit, you’ll also receive a 5-day series of informational emails. Each day focuses on a different aspect of the SoR and will help you understand how to use the resources offered in the toolkit and more free resources to support you.

This free science of reading toolkit has all you need to get started with structured literacy in your kindergarten, first or second grade classroom.

Drop your email below to get this SoR TOOLKIT instantly!

*87% of the time, school spam filters block emails like mine 😩 Please use a personal address so you don’t miss a thing!

Eager for even more? Take look at the blog post, 3 Steps to Structured Literacy. In it, I share specific instructional changes, as well as free sample resources to help you better align your instruction to the science of reading.   

This blog post offers 3 clear steps how to get started with structured literacy, as well as free resources you can download.

Are you hoping to help other teachers and/or your administrators bring more SoR-aligned instruction to our school and classroom? Are you facing some resistance from those who aren’t ready to make the shift? If so I have just the blog post for you. In this post, I share tips and resources to help your fellow educators get on board with the science of reading.

Lastly, if you’re looking for more places to learn, ask questions, and converse with other teachers about the science of reading be sure to follow me on Instagram and join my First Grade Bliss Facebook group.  These are two places where I share a lot of information, free resources and engage in conversation with teachers about the science of reading. 

I hope the information and resources I’ve shared today will help you on your journey through the science of reading! What are your go-to sources of information for the SoR? Comment below with your suggestions- I’d love to check them out!

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