Tools 4 Reading

08/24/2026

Who's going to the Big Sky Literacy Summit? 🗻

We would love to see you! 🤍

We have 2 breakout sessions:

✨ Science of Reading 3.0: Widening the Lens on Literacy with Laura Stewart, Chief Academic Officer

✨ The Power of Oral Language in Developing Strong Writers with Laura Stewart and Antonio A. Fierro, EdD

Or visit our interactive Science of Reading Scroll & Learn to explore evidence-based literacy solutions designed to connect instruction, assessment, and intervention.

08/21/2026

Ready to go beyond Friday spelling tests?

Join the 95 Percent Group Public Virtual Spellography Workshop on Tuesday, August 25!

Learn how to explicitly and systematically teach students to spell using the Layers of Language with this research-based word study program by Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Bruce Rosow.

Choose a session or attend both:
Books A & B: 8:00–11:00 AM CT
Books C & D: 12:00–3:00 PM CT

These engaging 3-hour virtual sessions will help you implement Spellography, so students understand why English words are spelled the way they are. This boosts reading, writing, and spelling outcomes.

Register today through 95 Percent Group!

95PercentGroup

08/20/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Dr. Antonio Fierro. 🎉

Dr. Fierro is one of the original authors of Kid Lips! Over the years he has inspired us to grow, motivated us to keep learning, and challenged us to reach higher.

Thank you for the wisdom, the heart, and the joy you bring to this work. 🤍

08/15/2026

Some educators tense up a little when they hear the words “scripted program.” 😅

But here’s the thing: a program with clear, explicit instructional dialogue written for the teacher can actually be a big help. ✨

When students move between Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 (or even just between classrooms or schools in the same district) and suddenly face different routines, different language, and different ways of teaching the same skills, they burn valuable cognitive energy just trying to figure out what they’re supposed to do. That energy should be going toward learning, practicing, and mastering the skills they need to become strong readers. 📚💛

Want to learn more about the benefits of aligning instructional resources across tiers and classrooms?

Grab our free download:

https://info.95percentgroup.com/ebook-literacy-alignment

08/11/2026

This month in professional learning: Sound Spelling Wall virtual public session! 💙

This course doesn’t just give you the information you need to set up a sound spelling wall aligned with reading science. We share practical tips and tricks for successful classroom implementation. 🧰

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine what you already have in place, we would love to support you.

📅 Next session: Monday, August 31, 2026

⏰ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM CT

💻 Virtual

💵 $125

Register here:
https://info.95percentgroup.com/ssw-fall-2026

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

08/08/2026

This is definitely worth listening to! 🎧

07/29/2026

Linnea Ehri has made significant contributions to our understanding of how children learn to read.

One notable contribution was her leadership on the National Reading Panel where she chaired the Alphabetics subgroup.

This quote from Ehri et al. (2001) remains as relevant as ever:
“Phonemic awareness is taught not for its own sake but rather for the value in helping children understand and use the alphabetic system to read and write.”

It reminds us that phonemic awareness is not an isolated skill or a checklist item. Its purpose is to unlock the alphabetic code so children can actually read and write.

Grateful for the research that continues to guide this work.

07/27/2026

Thinking about using a sound spelling wall in your classroom this upcoming school year? 🤔📚

Melissa & Lori asked Dr. Mary Dahlgren some important questions in Episode 185 of Melissa & Lori Love Literacy:

1️⃣ What are sound walls? How are they different than word walls?

2️⃣ Why should we use sound walls instead of word walls?

3️⃣ What research supports the use of sound walls?

4️⃣ What knowledge should a teacher have before using a sound wall?

🎧 Head on over and listen to the full conversation → literacypodcast.com

Or search “Episode 185” on your favorite podcast app!

07/22/2026

The science of reading is a body of convergent evidence that informs effective instruction in all areas of literacy development.

The science of reading is clear about the importance of phonemic awareness. Proper phonemic awareness instruction ensures that students perceive phonemes accurately. This is a necessary foundation for learning letter-sound patterns.

Strong phonemic awareness skills are non-negotiable for reading and spelling success. When we get this right, we unlock the alphabetic principle and set our beginning readers up for long-term success.

That’s why we are big believers in comprehensive, evidence-based tools like the 95 Phonemic Awareness Suite™ from 95 Percent Group. It makes a real difference for our youngest learners!

07/18/2026

Are you familiar with the Lippitt-Knoster Model for Complex Change? If not, check out this post and link!

Sustainable change doesn’t happen by accident.

The Lippitt-Knoster model shows that successful implementation requires vision, skills, incentives, resources, and a clear action plan. When even one piece is missing, outcomes suffer—which is why intentional planning and teacher support matter so much. Get the roadmap for successful reading implementation: https://hubs.li/Q04mX6dR0