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Level Up With Literacy

2022-23 Issue 2: Literacy Acceleration

Level Up With Literacy 2022-23 Issue 2: Literacy Acceleration

What is Acceleration?

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Acceleration Is...

  • "Just-in-time" teaching that keeps all learners engaged, interacting, and accessing grade-level text and standards in the general education classroom.
  • Planning instruction based on the needs of your learners
  • Bringing scaffolds into Tier 1 instruction to support access for all.
  • Connecting unfinished learning to the context of new learning.

How to Plan for Acceleration

As literacy experts, teachers know that ELA standards progress from simple to more complex skills. The Simple View of Reading tells us that a series of subskills are essential to achieve reading comprehension. When we build "just-in-time" learning into literacy lesson planning, it builds learner fluency and supports the transfer of learning across all tiers of support.

(image from waterford.org)

The 2 statements below can support teachers in the development of effective acceleration lesson planning.


1. Identify learner needs through diagnostic assessments and ongoing progress monitoring.


2. Complete the following statement, "Students could master the new grade-level standard if they just knew______________."

Let's Practice Accelerating a Vocabulary Routine

The Reading Brain in simplistic terms follows a four-part-processing system located in the left hemisphere. This system is activated when we hear language or read text.

Below is an example of a vocabulary instructional routine that models activating the reading brain.

Want to learn more about the 4-Part Processor? Check out this informative webpage from our friends at SST3!

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Accelerating Phonemic Awareness Example!

When teaching new vocabulary, the teacher first has students break the words into syllables. Identify the vowel sound heard in each syllable. Ask students to tap out the individual sounds in the word using visuals (not letters!) to represent each sound. Younger students may have syllable strips, felt squares, chips, etc. and older students may draw lines for each syllable. Students look in mirrors to notice the proper mouth formation in relationship to their vocal cords, lip & tongue placement, and airflow.

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Accelerating Phonics Example!

When writing the word, students write the letter or letters which represent each sound. This is an opportunity to reinforce phonics rules. The teacher reminds students about the differences between syllable types and morphemes.

Acceleration Resources

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Unlocking Acceleration: How Below Grade-Level Work Is Holding Students Back in Literacy

Download TNTP's Report here.

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Learning in the Fast Lane: 8 Ways to Put ALL Students on the Road to Academic Success

Download the first chapter of Suzy Pepper Rollins book for free!

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“It's all about context… if we keep going back to address knowledge gaps in isolation from the current grade-level learning standards, then how will we have time to teach grade-level standards?” - Angie Osborne, School Improvement Consultant , SST 1

Regional & State Updates

2022-2023 Literacy Leaders Network

  • Next Session: January 26, 2023, 9:00-11:00 am


Common Application for List of Approved Assessments for 2023-2024 Now Posted

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IDEA Part B Section 619 Disclaimer


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This document was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, (Award #H173A200119, CFDA 84.173A, awarded to the Ohio Department of Education). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.

State Support Team 1
https://www.sstr1.org/
2275 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo, Ohio