Author Interview: 8 Ways to Power Up Reading Instruction

Research indicates that, with effective instruction, over 90% of all students CAN read at grade level. Join us for our first episode of our 8 Great Literacy Learning season of 8 With 8, and you’ll leave with the stepping stones needed to move your instruction into that effective realm. Our very special guest, Dr. Carol Tolman, shares 8 ways to make this happen for each child in your classroom, building, and district using an approach called structured literacy. Dr. Carol Tolman, reading expert, international speaker, and co-author of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) joins us to share her thoughts on the most important steps for employing what science tells us works for teaching all students to read.

Co-Hosts: Pam Kennedy, SST8 Regional Early Literacy Specialist, and Kim Nagy, SST8 Urban Literacy Specialist

About our Guest: Dr. Carol Tolman

In addition to spearheading many successful, long-term literacy initiatives throughout the country, Dr. Tolman has published Working Smarter, Not Harder: What Teachers of Reading Need to Know and Be Able to Do and The Relationship between Teacher Knowledge and Effective RtI: When we Know Better, we Do Better (IDA Perspectives). Carol is co-author of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Presenter’s Kits, co-author of LETRS Modules 1, 2nd Edition, co-author of LETRS Module 10, 2nd Edition, and co-author with Dr. Louisa Moats of the LETRS 3rd Edition series of text and on-line supports for teachers of reading and spelling. Dr. Tolman has presided over the LETRS Leadership Board, created LETRS On-Line, and provides LETRS Trainer of Trainer (TOT) workshops to prepare others for the rigorous study involved in becoming a Certified Local LETRS Trainer. Dr. Tolman has presented internationally in China and Australia and is passionate about the importance of empowering teachers with the knowledge necessary to impact change for all children. Learn more about her work at https://drcaroltolman.com/ and find her on Twitter at @drcaroltolman1.

Additional Resources

The Science of Reading (webinar series by Dr. Tolman and Voyager-Sopris)

Phonological Awareness, Reading, and Writing: What Teachers Need to Know (webinar by Dr. Tolman, June 2020)