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Foundational Reading Skills in K-2: Bridging Research and Practice
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Presented by Tina Falbo, Instructional Literacy Coach, East Stroudsburg Area School District (PA); Suzanne Ludwig, Instructional Literacy Coach, East Stroudsburg Area School District (PA); and Stacey Leitzel, Director, Professional Learning Services, Zaner-Bloser
Sponsored by Zaner-Bloser
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Thanks to a large body of research collectively known as the Science of Reading, we know that intentionally building foundational skills is critical to success at the K-2 level. Many districts are evaluating their early literacy practices and shifting toward more explicit, systematic instruction.
This edWebinar connects the research with practical ways to bring foundational skills instruction to life in the classroom. Stacey Leitzel explores what science tells us about how to best teach primary students to develop phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics skills, and reading fluency. Viewers also hear from Tina Falbo and Suzanne Ludwig, two coaches who have helped teachers in their district implement this evidence-based instruction and have seen transformational success. By the end of this edWebinar, viewers:
- Discover the neuroscience research behind the Science of Reading and its implications for instruction
- Learn why systematic, explicit phonics instruction and cumulatively decodable text—together—are critical
- Recognize the research about the essential role of motivation in reading development
- Gain practical, science-based activities to strengthen foundational skills
Viewers also receive a short preview of Zaner-Bloser’s foundational reading skills curriculum and a free downloadable resource with activities they can try in the classroom. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-2 teachers and school and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Tina Falbo’s professional experiences include teaching first and second grade before moving to middle school as a reading teacher. After 14 years, she returned to the elementary level and has been an Elementary Instructional Literacy Coach at East Stroudsburg Area School District (PA) for the past seven years. Tina supports teachers in grades K-5 in the implementation of instructional strategies and best practices in reading.
Suzanne Ludwig is an Instructional Literacy Coach at East Stroudsburg Area School District (PA). Her 28 years of professional experiences include kindergarten teacher, second-grade teacher, district second-grade chairperson, building technology coach, grade-level curriculum committee member and writer, and presenter of various professional development workshops. In her present role, Suzanne provides support to enable teachers to think reflectively about improving student learning and implementing various instructional programs and practices.
Stacey Leitzel is the Director of Professional Learning Services at Zaner-Bloser. She has 25 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of elementary education. Stacey holds an undergraduate degree in early childhood and elementary education from Bloomsburg University and master’s degrees in early childhood and school leadership from James Madison University.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Be a Literacy Hero community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Zaner-Bloser develops curriculum resources to teach foundational literacy and math skills to students in prekindergarten through sixth grade. Our resources help teachers engage and empower students and inspire more “aha” moments to harness the creative power of learning. As a member of the Highlights Family of Companies, we believe children are the most important people, so we strive to always do what’s right for children and to make a significant contribution to their education.
