For the past several years, my annual learning goals have centered around deepening my understanding of Structured Literacy—an approach rooted in the Science of Reading and grounded in decades of research into how children’s brains acquire and process written language.
As educators, we know that teaching reading is not just an academic goal—it is a matter of equity. Ensuring that all students receive access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction means we are actively dismantling barriers to learning. We are building a culture of belonging, wellbeing, and opportunity.
Structured Literacy prioritizes clear, intentional, and research-informed instruction. Here are the core principles that define this approach:
- Sequential
- Skills are introduced in a logical, developmentally appropriate order, with careful scaffolding to ensure mastery before moving forward.
- Explicit
- Instruction is direct, intentional, and interactive. The gradual release model—“I do, We do, You do”—supports learners through modelling and guided practice.
- Systematic & Cumulative
- A structured scope and sequence ensures instruction builds progressively, helping students connect new learning to prior knowledge.
- Diagnostic
- Assessment is ongoing and timely. It drives instruction and allows educators to respond to students’ evolving needs with precision.
If you are beginning your journey understanding the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy, it is encouraged you to explore the resources listed below. The Margaret Wilson Library is a great place to check out books !
- Supporting classroom practice: Lessons language curriculum 2023 (ETFO)
- Shifting the Balance by Katie Egan Cunningham, Jan Burkins, Kari Yates
- 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-to-3 Reading Success, by Lindsay Kemeny
- Know Better, Do Better: Comprehension: Fueling the Reading Brain With Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Rich Language by David Liben, Meredith Liben