Science of Reading Week Webinar: Early Readers: Building Strong Foundations

Day 1 of Lexia® Fall Science of Reading Week

“Thank you for this amazing learning opportunity!” — Amy D. 

Thousands of educators nationwide showed up for Day 1 of Lexia Science of Reading Week—Early Readers: Building Strong Foundations—and the feedback was glowing.

 “Great host! Great panel,” said Michelle R.
 “Amazing!!! Would love to hear this again,” added Karla D.

This session dove into what it truly takes to build strong literacy foundations in our youngest learners. National experts and school-based educators shared actionable insights on creating safe, structured, and purposeful early learning environments that set students up for reading success.

• Start with trust and routines. “We have to go slow to go fast—so building in those expectations for routines, helping them feel safe and secure, and trusting us as adults in the classroom,” said Dr. Angela Rutherford, professor of teacher education and director of the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, University of Mississippi.
  
  
• Keep instruction playful and purposeful. “Keep activities short, playful, with clear beginnings and endings, and enough opportunities to respond so that every child has a moment with you, and gets feedback on their skills,” said Dr. Ann Kaiser, Susan W. Gray Professor of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University.
  
  
• Lead with intention. “Purpose precedes fun,” said Jenna Wright, elementary RLA specialist from Corpus Christi ISD, Texas. “Teachers have to be crystal clear on what they want students to know and show before educators can add in the sprinkles and fun.”
  
  

Listen to the full session for one of the most insightful conversations on early literacy this year—and learn why every early elementary teacher should be asking, “Who is doing the thinking?"