Literacy Unlocked

The latest research and most effective teaching tools for better early literacy instruction

Literacy Unlocked explores the pivotal role of early literacy instruction in shaping a child's reading development and overall academic success. Shifting the focus from reactive intervention to a proactive approach that addresses problems before they arise, this book equips readers with research-backed insights and practical, accessible strategies to implement the science of reading to ensure future generations excel in literacy. Each chapter includes a link leading readers to supplementary online materials that can be utilized in instruction. Written by Amie Burkholder, K-5 literacy coach and CEO of Literacy Edventures, a popular early literacy learning platform, this book explores ideas including:

• The brain science of reading, with information on brain plasticity and the roles of the frontal, occipital-temporal, and parietal-temporal regions
• The disconnect in learning phonemic awareness and phonics separately, and why and how to address it as instructors
• Prerequisites for effective handwriting instruction, such as fine motor skills, pencil grip and posture, and understanding writing lines
• The importance of predictable routines in literacy instruction to help alleviate excessive student cognitive load, including the use of decodable texts

Cutting to the crux of better literacy instruction in simple language that anyone can understand, Literacy Unlocked is an essential resource for K-5 teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, reading specialists, and literacy coaches.

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Embarking on Your Reader’s Journey 5

Chapter 2 Phonemic Awareness in Early Reading Instruction 31

Chapter 3 The Role of Handwriting in Early Literacy Development 57

Chapter 4 Building the Foundation of Letter- Sound Knowledge 85

Chapter 5 From Letter Sounds to Decoding 111

Chapter 6 Building Strong Readers Through Systematic Phonics 133

Chapter 7 Teaching High- Frequency Words 171

Chapter 8 Making Phonics Stick: Application Is Key 191

Chapter 9 Background Knowledge and Vocabulary 215

Chapter 10 Bringing It All Together: Fostering a Love for Reading and Creating Lifelong Readers 239

References 247

Acknowledgments 251

About the Author 255

Index 257

AMIE BURKHOLDER is a former first-grade teacher turned K-5 literacy coach. She is CEO of Literacy Edventures, and co-founder of the virtual science of reading conference Unlocking SoR. Through her businesses, she creates engaging, hands-on literacy curricula, activities, and resources to support teachers, parents, and administrators. She also hosts the Route2Reading podcast.

A PRACTICAL, PROACTIVE GUIDE TO BOOSTING CHILDREN’S READING SUCCESS

A solid foundation in early literacy can play a pivotal role in setting students up for success. Even better—it can prevent reading issues before they arise, saving time, money, and effort spent on interventions. Literacy Unlocked offers K-3 educators and parents a captivating look at how early literacy shapes children’s reading development. This book is also full of practical, research-backed guidance on how to implement the science of reading. Additionally, each chapter includes a link to supplementary online materials that can be used in the classroom. As educators transition away from outmoded models of literacy instruction, Literacy Unlocked is an essential resource for empowering young readers.

“If you’re looking to understand both the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of early reading instruction, Literacy Unlocked is your book. Amie Burkholder breaks down the research in a way that makes sense, and her sample lessons are pure gold—you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to put these practices into action in your classroom!”
—ANNA GEIGER, M.Ed., Author of Reach All Readers, Host of the Triple R Teaching podcast, and creator of The Measured Mom

“Literacy Unlocked supports elementary teachers to act on the science of reading with field-tested lesson plans and teaching strategies that Amie Burkholder has used and found to work in real classrooms.”
—STEPHANIE STOLLAR, Ph.D., Founder of Reading Science Academy

"If you're looking to understand both the 'why' and 'how' of early reading instruction, Literacy Unlocked is your book. Amie Burkholder breaks down the research in a way that makes sense, and her sample lessons are pure gold—you'll walk away knowing exactly how to put these practices into action in your classroom!"
—Anna Geiger, M.Ed. Author of Reach All Readers, Host of the Triple R Teaching podcast, and creator of The Measured Mom

"Literacy Unlocked supports elementary teachers to act on the science of reading with field-tested lesson plans and teaching strategies that Amie Burkholder has used and found to work in real classrooms."
—Stephanie Stollar, Ph.D. Founder of Reading Science Academy