Science and the Science of Reading: How Experiences Catapult Language Comprehension

Presented by Ramy Mahmoud, Former Educator, Current National Science Specialist, Savvas Learning Company; and Jamil Odom, Former Educator, Current Vice President of Literacy Strategy, Savvas Learning Company

Sponsored by Savvas Learning Company

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The Science of Reading shows us why background knowledge is essential for language comprehension, but how do we provide all our learners with opportunities to build background knowledge?

Join expert educators Ramy Mahmoud and Jamil Odom for this edWebinar as they share how teachers can use science experiences to grow students’ background knowledge and strengthen essential literacy skills such as verbal reasoning and academic vocabulary.

This session will open with powerful, real-world examples and research that reveal how a lack of context and background knowledge can be a major barrier to understanding text. During this edWebinar, attendees will explore:

• How learners often labeled as “poor readers” are simply missing the experiences that give meaning to what they read
• Key verbal reasoning skills such as inferencing, summarizing, and predicting—standards in ELA that are also integral to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• Practical strategies for building background knowledge and context through hands-on science experiences
• A model lesson for using science as a powerful tool to build background knowledge and context

Don’t miss this opportunity to reframe your approach to reading comprehension—through the lens of science! All educators with an interest in elementary science and literacy—especially K-5 classroom teachers, instructional leaders, special educators, and curriculum directors—are encouraged to attend this edWebinar. Attendees will receive a free take-and-teach science lesson to try in their own classroom.

About the Presenters

Ramy Mahmoud is a public speaker, university lecturer, and educator with 16 years of classroom experience. Once awarded secondary teacher of the year by his school district, Ramy’s passion and professional focus is on how to motivate learners in the classroom. He has spoken with legislators, administrators, teachers, parents, and students on this topic, as well as presented two successful TED Talks on the matter. Although Ramy recently left the classroom to serve as a National Science Specialist for Savvas Learning Company, he continues to teach Curriculum and Instruction in Science and Educational Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Jamil Odom is a former elementary school teacher who has dedicated his career to helping educators and administrators increase their instructional knowledge as they procure resources to support student learning. With district, building, and classroom educational experience, along with deep knowledge of evolving state and federal initiatives (including the impact of the Science of Reading on contemporary classroom practices), Jamil brings practical perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning in the PreK-12 literacy space. Beyond his bachelor’s degree, Jamil holds graduate specializations in elementary education, gifted/talented, and educational administration. Presently, he serves as Vice President of Literacy Strategy at Savvas Learning Company.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

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