Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, Volume I

3 units

Lexia LETRS stands for: Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. LETRS is a professional learning course for instructors of reading, spelling, and related language skills. It provides educators with in-depth knowledge and tools that they can use with any reading program. LETRS is composed of two volumes of content: Volume 1 (Units 1-4) and Volume 2 (Units 5-8). As part of the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) cohort, teachers will learn the science of reading in order to apply research in the classroom and meet the literacy needs of early learners. Teachers will gain practical strategies to use regardless of curriculum or program currently in place. LETRS Volume I introduces teachers to the science of reading through understanding theoretical frameworks for how people learn to read, and how to apply evidence-based strategies to support reading acquisition. After learning about these frameworks, participants discuss common challenges in learning to read, what happens in our brains when we read, and how language and literacy are related. Next, the course delves into phonological skill development. Combining both theory and application, participants are then prepared for teaching early phonics, word recognition, and spelling in an elementary classroom. Candidates will practice analyzing and facilitating effective phonics instruction, and will also prepare to support advanced decoding, spelling, and word recognition. Finally, the course will discuss assessment systems to support reading acquisition, including how to utilize universal screeners, diagnostic assessments, and systems for progress monitoring.