Just the Facts
These brief videos are short and sweet – giving you “just the facts” on a variety of topics. From decodable text to the instructional hierarchy, these videos dig into what you “literacy” need to know to get started on your learning!
Summer Syntax Celebration Recordings with Dr. Margie Gillis
Syntax is often overlooked and misunderstood, but is KEY to reading and writing proficiency! This series presents research on syntax and explains its critical role in comprehending complex text, reading fluency, and writing coherent sentences. Armed with this understanding, educators learned how to teach their students the functions of sentence parts—words, phrases, and clauses—in order…
Grade 1 Planning: From Data to Instruction Webinar Recordings (Parts 1 & 2)
In this webinar, Melissa Monette Smith demonstrates how she uses screening and diagnostic data to plan and organize her Grade 1 literacy block. She walks through her processes for building small groups, using a scope and sequence to guide instruction, and setting up her long-range plans.
Strand B Guidance Videos
This series of videos was developed by Dr. Robert Savage from York University. The video series unpacks elements of Strand B of the revised Language Curriculum, building educator knowledge. Stay tuned for more videos to come!
Harnessing the Science of Learning Book Study Recordings
Catch up with the recordings from our 6-part book study on Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement by Dr. Nathanial Swain. This series is designed to bring together the world of classroom practice, school leadership, and scientific research in an enthusiastic and uplifting atmosphere. Throughout the series, host Laura Bross,…
Teaching Skills for Complex Text Book Study Recordings
Catch up with the recordings from our 6-part book study on Teaching Skills for Complex Text by Dr. Heidi Anne Mesmer. This series is designed to deepen close reading practices in the classroom, with a strong focus on exploring instructional routines to support students’ reading comprehension. Grounded in Strand C of the revised Ontario Language curriculum, this…
Screening: The Reel Deal
In this playlist of short videos, the ONlit team answers *your* pressing questions about screening! Dig in to explore why measures are often timed, the link between oral reading fluency (ORF) measures and comprehension, and why these ORF measures aren’t decodable.
Spellbound: Teaching Tricks to Make Spelling Stick!
In this video series, Martha Kovack highlights tips and tricks for teaching spelling, including orthographic conventions like -ck, -tch, and -dge.
Strive for Five Book Study Recordings
Catch up on our Strive for Five book study! Hosted by Melissa Monette Smith, this book study explores a framework for extending conversations with students from Kindergarten through Grade 8 to accelerate language comprehension and support academic growth.
Why Reading Screening?
Why do we need to screen – don’t we already know which students are having difficulty with reading? Watch this brief video that unpacks how screening data help us build systems the set all students up for success.
Partner Reading in Laura Bross’ Class
Learning a new skill or strategy follows a predictable sequence known as the Instructional Hierarchy. As students build proficiency with a skill, it’s important to consider how we can build purposeful opportunities for practice. In this video, learn how grade 2/3 teacher Laura Bross uses partner reading in her class.
Fluency: Key to Comprehension with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
Fluency is essential for skillful and motivated reading, but is often misunderstood. Fluent reading is NOT fast reading! Jan Hasbrouck defines reading fluency and clarifies the link between fluency and comprehension.
