Evidence Based Literacy Instruction

    • We value our students, what makes each of them unique, and are laser-focused on their continuous learning along the literacy continuum. Providing evidence-based literacy instruction, aligned with science-based reading research, is our top priority. 

    • We are invested in using a cross-curricular knowledge-building curriculum, while also being fully committed to systematically teaching students to “break the code” and become proficient readers.

    • Reading comprehension is the product of decoding and language comprehension with intricately woven subcomponent skills within both areas. We attack each of these areas using the most current evidence-based practices.

    • Our teachers daily deliver evidence-based literacy instruction to elevate the role of building vocabulary and background knowledge. Pairing explicit and systematic phonics instruction with knowledge-building curriculum, provides students the tools and opportunities they need to read actively and express themselves effectively both orally and in writing.  

Online Resources

The following list contains a few of the many resources that are free to teachers, parents, and students at all times.

Kindergarten-Grade Two

K-2

Communication

Reading

Writing

Research
Unite for Literacy-  Free digital access to picture books for early elementary grades, printed in English with narration available in 47 different languages N Y N N
National Center for Improving Literacy- information for families and KIDSZONE with at home reading activities Y Y Y N
Starfall- free interactive phonics resources Y Y N N
Kiddle Search Engine- student-friendly search engine for research N N N Y
Khan Academy- provides free online lessons in every subject Y Y Y Y
Wonderopolis- student friendly website that promotes research and exploration through sparking student interest and inquiry N Y Y Y
Librivox- Free, public domain books read by volunteers from around the world that can be downloaded and listened to on any device N Y N N

Grades Three-Five

3-5

Communication

Reading

Writing

Research
Unite for Literacy-  Free digital access to picture books for early elementary grades, printed in English with narration available in 47 different languages N Y N N
National Center for Improving Literacy- information for families and KIDSZONE with at home reading activities Y Y Y N
Starfall- free interactive phonics resources Y Y N N
CommonLit- Free collection of fiction and non-fiction texts, leveled and arranged by theme N Y Y Y
Kiddle Search Engine- student-friendly search engine for research N N N Y
Khan Academy- provides free online lessons in every subject Y Y Y Y
Wonderopolis- student friendly website that promotes research and exploration through sparking student interest and inquiry N Y Y Y
LibriVox- Free, public domain books read by volunteers from around the world that can be downloaded and listened to on any device N Y N N
Couch Academy- VDOE curated resources from Virginia Museums N Y N Y

Grades Six-Eight

6-8

Communication

Reading

Writing

Research
CommonLit- Free collection of fiction and non-fiction texts, leveled and arranged by theme Y Y Y Y
Kiddle Search Engine- student-friendly search engine for research N N N Y
Khan Academy- provides free online lessons in every subject Y Y Y Y
Project Gutenberg- Free eBooks for download N Y Y Y
International Children’s Library- Access to children's literature from around the world N Y N N
Gateway to the Classics- Hundreds of classic  titles with special emphasis on history, literature, and natural history along with a collection of over 2500 poems N Y N N
LibriVox- Free, public domain books read by volunteers from around the world that can be downloaded and listened to on any device N Y N N
Couch Academy- VDOE curated resources from Virginia Museums N Y N Y
Smithsonian Tween Tribune- Access to leveled non-fiction, high-interest articles (Common Sense Media approved) Y Y Y Y
Poets.org- Access to various poems and biographical information about well-known poets (Common Sense Media approved) N Y N N

Grades Nine-Twelve

9-12

Communication

Reading

Writing

Research
CommonLit- Free collection of fiction and non-fiction texts, leveled and arranged by theme N Y Y Y
Khan Academy- provides free online lessons in every subject Y Y Y Y
Project Gutenberg- Free eBooks for download N Y N N
International Children’s Library- Access to children's literature from around the world N Y N N
Gateway to the Classics- Hundreds of classic  titles with special emphasis on history, literature, and natural history along with a collection of over 2500 poems N Y N N
LibriVox- Free, public domain books read by volunteers from around the world that can be downloaded and listened to on any device N Y N N
AllSides- Website with news from multiple perspectives through sharing headlines about a topic from the right, center, and left Y Y Y Y
ProCon.org- Issues and vetted sources for both sides of the issue   Y Y Y Y
Couch Academy- VDOE curated resources from Virginia Museums N Y N Y
The National Writing Project- College, Career, and Community Writer's Program resource Y N Y N

Suggested Offline Activities to Engage Students

The following list contains just a few of the many resources that are available free to teachers, parents, and students.

Kindergarten - Grade 2

  • Take a walk and look for things that begin with each letter of the alphabet.
  • Choose a favorite story and perform it as a play for someone in your house.
  • Syllable counting: Clap the syllables for everyone's name in your family. Count the number of syllables. Play "I spy" with things around the room by using the number of syllables as the clue (e.g. I spy something with 3 syllables)
  • Read! Read! Read!

Grades 3-5

  • Dinner conversations: Talk with students about what they are reading during dinnertime. Ask questions such as; What is the book about? Who is the main character? Where is the book set? How do you know? What have you found interesting so far?
  • Pick a favorite character from a story you are reading or have read. Create a collage about that character. It can be from pictures and words cut from a magazine or a scrapbook page that might be added to a scrapbook about the character.
  • Listen to or read a news segment or news article. Make a T chart and keep a running list of facts and opinions. Another variation of this would be to write an article for the news and be sure to include both facts and opinions. Read it to someone and see if they can find them.
  • Read! Read! Read!

Grades 6-8

  • Watch a TV show or part of a movie. Take notes on different characters and choose one to compare and contrast to a character in a book or story you've read. 
  • Choose an object or place in your house. Write a description of the object or place using as many adjectives and details as possible, but do not say what the object or place is.  Give your description to someone in your house and have them try to draw the object or place based on your description.  When you're done, compare the drawing to the actual object or place.  Discuss what adjectives and details were helpful in creating that image. 
  • Create a greeting card with a poem; add a picture to go with the poem. Send it to a neighbor to brighten his or her day!
  • Read! Read! Read!

Grades 9-12

  • Use liner notes of CDs or albums (or look up the lyrics online) and look for examples of literary devices in the lyrics. Analyze the message of the song and share your interpretation with someone else at home. 
  • Find an article in a magazine or newspaper. Cut out or black out different words in the article.  See if you can use your context clues to determine the missing words. 
  • Choose a scene from a book you're reading or have read.  Create a script for a newscast to deliver including the main ideas and highlights from the event.  Record yourself delivering the breaking news.
  • Create a Top 5 list for anything you're interested in. It could be a Top 5 favorite basketball players, book characters, songs, foods, etc. For each, write an explanation for why each choice is in each spot, being sure to provide some evidence. You can turn this into an opportunity to debate a family member or sibling after they create their own list.
  • Read! Read! Read!

eMediaVA Resources for K-12

Grades Kindergarten-Two

Grades Three-Five

 Grades Six-Eight

Grades Nine-Twelve