Building Strong Foundations: Literacy Across the Curriculum (K–2)

Literacy Across the Curriculum: The Science of Reading K–2 class during the Summer Teacher Academy

Master of Reading Graduates participate in the Summer Teacher Academy

The Summer Teacher Academy class, "Literacy Across the Curriculum: The Science of Reading K–2," was both meaningful and insightful. Facilitated by Tricia Cruz Noket and Pearl Yonamine-Tsuda, the course focused on several essential points. The Science of Reading is grounded in multidisciplinary research that explains how students learn to read and why some struggle. It emphasizes that foundational reading skills—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—must be taught explicitly, systematically, and intentionally. Strategies such as Word Bust, Elkonin Boxes, and the strategic use of Read-Alouds were highlighted as effective tools for supporting literacy across all content areas.

There's no doubt that I plan to integrate Read-Alouds purposefully into my daily instruction, selecting vocabulary-rich texts and facilitating open-ended discussions to deepen comprehension. This professional development supports my goal of becoming a more intentional, research-driven educator who provides equitable literacy instruction. It equips me to better serve diverse learners through targeted, high-impact practices that address both foundational skills and language comprehension.

Lastly, it was a pleasure to see my Master of Reading graduate students participating with such enthusiasm and a continued zest for learning through opportunities like this class. It was truly delightful to witness their connection to the concepts being introduced. In particular, Pearl, a graduate of our program, is clearly applying what she has learned to make a positive impact on other educators—and ultimately, on the young children of Guam. Way to go, team!