What do you think?
Rate this book
Equipped for Reading Success
Research-based methods for boosting phonemic awareness, phonics, and instant word recognition
279 pages, Spiral-bound
Published October 1, 2016
70 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 30, 2019
Kilpatrick's research is a game changer for teachers who are looking for ways to reach all kids, especially those students who are tangled readers. These tangled readers might be students who are obviously behind, have just barely made benchmark across the school year to avoid further testing, or those who do not read with sufficient fluency to comprehend in higher grades. Kilpatrick's research might explain why you have a very bright sophomore, or fourth grader or second grader, etc., who struggles because she does not do her reading. It also explains how to help in a way that I have tried and seen help all of my students...more on that below.
Kilpatrick presents important concepts in an engaging and well-researched way that I have struggled in the past to know deeper. For example, he discusses the various approaches that are common in today's literacy instruction. He then goes on to describe the impact of findings from the research into the science of reading and their implications for how we teach kids to read.
His Essentials book (2015) is at its core a solid description of how phonological awareness impacts the way humans read at the foundational level. It also offers very clear ways to include phonological awareness instruction into you current approach to reading instruction. Solid phonological awareness is basically what readers tap into at the brain level as they are reading. It enables readers to apply their knowledge of letters and sounds, then phonics, word study and vocabulary to actually map new words into sight-word memory. This means that high-level approaches to teaching decoding through phonics like Orton-Gillingham now have the underlying neurological foundation to code new words into sight memory. Kilpatrick does a much better job of explaining this process called orthographic mapping than I.
So, do I recommend Essentials (2015) for busy parents and teachers who are looking to significantly improve their approach to literacy instruction? Yes...well, sort of...
I actually recommend that you first read Kilpatrick's book, Equipped for Reading Success (2016, spiral bound) and then buy the Essentials (2015) book if you want to go deeper.
Let me explain. I found out about Kilpatrick's work from some other reading and specialist teachers, whom I consider to be highly-skilled teachers, during an Orton-Gillingham training over last summer. I bought Kilpatrick's Essentials (2015) book first because it was cheaper and the Colorado Department of Ed offers a free online course on it through Colorado's efforts to comply with its READ Act legislation. Essentials (2015) is a great read and has very useful research with instructional implications.
I liked Essentials (2015) so much that I bought his phonological awareness program, which is the one I mentioned at the start of this paragraph above, Equipped for Reading Success (2016 spiral version). Equipped for Reading Success (2016 spiral version) by Kilpatrick contains concise articles that present the same information as the Essentials book but also includes the actual assessments, instructional how-to explanations and materials to use with kids. It is also published in a spiral format, which I appreciate because it lies flat so I could read the articles in short periods of time over breakfast and quickly access during class time throughout my day at school. I have also used the articles from the spiral 2016 version during PD for both staff and parents.
I have used this 2016 spiral version alongside the Lucy Calkins Units of Study in reading, phonics and writing, in addition to what I have learned through training in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Shifting my approach through what I learned in Kilpatrick's work has had a substantially positive impact on my first grade students over a very short time. I had over 76% of my students far-below grade level on the first grade fall DIBELS benchmark assessment. I now have 70% at or above grade level on the mid-year DIBELS. I have not seen that level of progress in reading over my 13 year career teaching. I believe this improvement is directly due to the explicit instruction in phonological awareness that Kilpatrick's program provides.
Pre Kilpatrick, I often felt that the kids who paid attention progressed and the kids who needed instruction continued spacing out. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that way. Such phonological development has led to noticeably higher engagement, especially among those very interested in shoe laces. The kids seem to better integrate others lessons during phonics and reading lessons in a way that I had not yet experienced as a teacher. The phonological instruction becomes quick with practice and has multisensory steps so that the new learning actually sticks. Next, I want to see how this approach might identify and support kids who are stuck compensating with poor phonological development as readers at higher grades.
Kilpatrick's research was unsettling at first because what I thought I knew about reading development needed a significant shift. After all, I have spent so much free time researching and taking classes on the reading process from other literacy writers like Burins and Yaris, Calkins, Clay, Richardson, Routman, Serravallo, Fountas and Pinnell, and Scanlon. Lately, I've spent some serious time and money to learn about the Orton-Gillingham approach and Luisa Moats' research, which is another layer that seems to be where current best practices are heading in reading instruction. Yet, Kilpatrick's books stand out because they actually describe how the brain reads. I realized after a few months of trying to integrate his approach to phonological instruction that all of those other authors now make more sense regarding when and how to use their respective approaches. I am thrilled by the possibilities that have opened as a result of shifting my instruction to include Kilpatrick's research.
Kilpatrick presents important concepts in an engaging and well-researched way that I have struggled in the past to know deeper. For example, he discusses the various approaches that are common in today's literacy instruction. He then goes on to describe the impact of findings from the research into the science of reading and their implications for how we teach kids to read.
His Essentials book (2015) is at its core a solid description of how phonological awareness impacts the way humans read at the foundational level. It also offers very clear ways to include phonological awareness instruction into you current approach to reading instruction. Solid phonological awareness is basically what readers tap into at the brain level as they are reading. It enables readers to apply their knowledge of letters and sounds, then phonics, word study and vocabulary to actually map new words into sight-word memory. This means that high-level approaches to teaching decoding through phonics like Orton-Gillingham now have the underlying neurological foundation to code new words into sight memory. Kilpatrick does a much better job of explaining this process called orthographic mapping than I.
So, do I recommend Essentials (2015) for busy parents and teachers who are looking to significantly improve their approach to literacy instruction? Yes...well, sort of...
I actually recommend that you first read Kilpatrick's book, Equipped for Reading Success (2016, spiral bound) and then buy the Essentials (2015) book if you want to go deeper.
Let me explain. I found out about Kilpatrick's work from some other reading and specialist teachers, whom I consider to be highly-skilled teachers, during an Orton-Gillingham training over last summer. I bought Kilpatrick's Essentials (2015) book first because it was cheaper and the Colorado Department of Ed offers a free online course on it through Colorado's efforts to comply with its READ Act legislation. Essentials (2015) is a great read and has very useful research with instructional implications.
I liked Essentials (2015) so much that I bought his phonological awareness program, which is the one I mentioned at the start of this paragraph above, Equipped for Reading Success (2016 spiral version). Equipped for Reading Success (2016 spiral version) by Kilpatrick contains concise articles that present the same information as the Essentials book but also includes the actual assessments, instructional how-to explanations and materials to use with kids. It is also published in a spiral format, which I appreciate because it lies flat so I could read the articles in short periods of time over breakfast and quickly access during class time throughout my day at school. I have also used the articles from the spiral 2016 version during PD for both staff and parents.
I have used this 2016 spiral version alongside the Lucy Calkins Units of Study in reading, phonics and writing, in addition to what I have learned through training in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Shifting my approach through what I learned in Kilpatrick's work has had a substantially positive impact on my first grade students over a very short time. I had over 76% of my students far-below grade level on the first grade fall DIBELS benchmark assessment. I now have 70% at or above grade level on the mid-year DIBELS. I have not seen that level of progress in reading over my 13 year career teaching. I believe this improvement is directly due to the explicit instruction in phonological awareness that Kilpatrick's program provides.
Pre Kilpatrick, I often felt that the kids who paid attention progressed and the kids who needed instruction continued spacing out. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that way. Such phonological development has led to noticeably higher engagement, especially among those very interested in shoe laces. The kids seem to better integrate others lessons during phonics and reading lessons in a way that I had not yet experienced as a teacher. The phonological instruction becomes quick with practice and has multisensory steps so that the new learning actually sticks. Next, I want to see how this approach might identify and support kids who are stuck compensating with poor phonological development as readers at higher grades.
Kilpatrick's research was unsettling at first because what I thought I knew about reading development needed a significant shift. After all, I have spent so much free time researching and taking classes on the reading process from other literacy writers like Burins and Yaris, Calkins, Clay, Richardson, Routman, Serravallo, Fountas and Pinnell, and Scanlon. Lately, I've spent some serious time and money to learn about the Orton-Gillingham approach and Luisa Moats' research, which is another layer that seems to be where current best practices are heading in reading instruction. Yet, Kilpatrick's books stand out because they actually describe how the brain reads. I realized after a few months of trying to integrate his approach to phonological instruction that all of those other authors now make more sense regarding when and how to use their respective approaches. I am thrilled by the possibilities that have opened as a result of shifting my instruction to include Kilpatrick's research.
February 15, 2018
This is sort of a companion book to his other one, Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties. If you can only afford one, I'd get this one. It provides some of the research from the other book, but mostly it describes his program and his test for screening children in K-1 and in later grades if they have reading difficulties.
His description of different types of struggling readers are well-done. His explanation of how to use phonological awareness to intervene to get them on track is easy to follow and makes a lot of sense. I think he misunderstands the Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexic children, but it's not a fatal flaw.
The approach he describes takes very little time in the reading lesson, and can be reinforced throughout the day quite easily. It certainly would be worth implementing beginning in kindergarten in order to prevent most reading problems.
I was disappointed to find several proofreading errors in a professional book about reading.
His description of different types of struggling readers are well-done. His explanation of how to use phonological awareness to intervene to get them on track is easy to follow and makes a lot of sense. I think he misunderstands the Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexic children, but it's not a fatal flaw.
The approach he describes takes very little time in the reading lesson, and can be reinforced throughout the day quite easily. It certainly would be worth implementing beginning in kindergarten in order to prevent most reading problems.
I was disappointed to find several proofreading errors in a professional book about reading.
June 6, 2025
Absolutely fascinating and full of tips and strategies to support young readers. Will refer back to the information portion of this again, and have already incorporated many of the drills and daily activities into our reading lessons.
November 5, 2023
Every elementary teacher needs to read this and understand how we can help our struggling readers.
June 23, 2021
This book is an incredible tool to help students who are struggling, especially those with SLD/decoding. The phonemic awareness activities are clearly explained and only require a few minutes a day. Kilpatrick is well respected, knowledgeable, and explains his methods so clearly that anyone can use this to help struggling readers. I can't recommend this reference highly enough.
June 12, 2022
Another phenomenal read that will change the way I teach!!
October 17, 2018
This is a great companion book to David Kilpatrick’s other book by Wiley Press. This book is the practical guide to implementing a step-by-step program in phonemic awareness as part of a comprehensive literacy program that focuses on developing othorgraphic mapping. Perhaps it’s just the way I work, but I felt that the format of the book didn’t lend itself to a completely user friendly implementation. I would have preferred a few more sample lesson plans and structure based on working phoneme levels.
September 23, 2018
I have spent the last few years really focused on research on math instruction, but have turned back to reading this year and have been rereading some old books. This book is new to me and has made me think a lot. I can't give it five stars because it just seems so self-published and has tons of errors. I don't 100% agree with everything he says, but I definitely want to try out much in this book.
April 12, 2021
If you are an educator who teaches reading, especially (but not limited to) elementary level, you MUST read this. I guarantee, it's the missing link that you're not doing in your classroom.
Read
July 29, 2024It is hard to rate this, as I have now read all the parts I need to as a teacher getting ready to begin instructing with it. But I cannot testify to the results, as we haven't integrated it into our schooling yet. It has given me so much knowledge, though, and I'm convinced that using it will be very beneficial to our homeschool.
This is a heavy, academic book. My first recommendation for it was from a dyslexia tutor when I was asking for advice. She said it addresses the exact things that I saw scored low in the dyslexia testing. I've since learned that many dyslexia tutors use this manual. This is very encouraging and helpful but also, a bit overwhelming. I need time to really feel confident in using this.
It is a 8x10, spiral bound book filled with information. I am still letting it sink in and coming up with a specific plan of how to use it. So many practical tools along with the science and knowledge clearly presented. The hard part for me is translating this knowledge into an individualized, doable plan for my student. It is not an open-and-go curriculum to me yet. I'm hoping it will quickly become more natural. I am encouraged that I can figure out a plan to go forward. There is so much here that will be beneficial to all of my students, not just the one who needs specialized help.
Fascinating resource that I hope will bless us in the years ahead.
This is a heavy, academic book. My first recommendation for it was from a dyslexia tutor when I was asking for advice. She said it addresses the exact things that I saw scored low in the dyslexia testing. I've since learned that many dyslexia tutors use this manual. This is very encouraging and helpful but also, a bit overwhelming. I need time to really feel confident in using this.
It is a 8x10, spiral bound book filled with information. I am still letting it sink in and coming up with a specific plan of how to use it. So many practical tools along with the science and knowledge clearly presented. The hard part for me is translating this knowledge into an individualized, doable plan for my student. It is not an open-and-go curriculum to me yet. I'm hoping it will quickly become more natural. I am encouraged that I can figure out a plan to go forward. There is so much here that will be beneficial to all of my students, not just the one who needs specialized help.
Fascinating resource that I hope will bless us in the years ahead.
May 10, 2022
I find the author a bit contradictory. A good book, but I am troubled by Kilpatrick's statement: “Until recently, almost everyone thought that we store words by having some type of visual image of every word we know…. Many teaching approaches presume this…. [both whole language and phonics make this assumption]. We assume that if students see the words enough, they will learn them. This is not true…. We use our oral-linguistic filing system as the basis for word recognition. ... orthographic mapping will only occur if the student has adequate phonemic awareness/analysis…. Mapping must not be confused with phonics. Mapping and phonics differ in some very important ways….” (pp. 29-39) If orthographic mapping is essential for teaching children to read and phonics doesn't use orthographic mapping, then how can Kilpatrick support teaching phonics? The book is worth reading for the material on orthographic mapping.
July 15, 2021
Interesting information but oh so repetitive!! I mean seriously… how many times can you say the same thing (even with the same words!). This is information more teachers need to hear but not something entirely new to me so I am sure I didn’t take as much away as others but I still managed to highlight and tab a lot of the book.
The best part of this book is the resource area in the back. Although my school has a phonemic awareness program in place; many do not and this is a great starting point. I know that I will put the various word lists into use and refer to them as I instruct my second grade students.
The best part of this book is the resource area in the back. Although my school has a phonemic awareness program in place; many do not and this is a great starting point. I know that I will put the various word lists into use and refer to them as I instruct my second grade students.
January 18, 2022
The content and research were enlightening and the One-Minute Activities are an amazing resource that will make teaching phonemic awareness so much easier. However, I found the book very disjointed and hard to follow/apply. I had to go back and make notes to know when to start at what level, how long to stay at a certain level, and what to do when at multisensory, knowledge and automaticity level. The PAST assessment could better detail on the assessment itself what to do, when to stop, how to mark. In other words, the core concepts are amazing but it needs to be laid out in a more user friendly manner.
June 12, 2019
Fascinated by reading instruction? Experienced teaching students with traditional methods that just aren’t working? Then this book can be a huge game changer! Kilpatrick does an amazing job of bridging the gap between the science behind reading and what it looks like in the classroom. This isn’t a quick read, but it is full of amazing insight and resources you can you right away in your classroom! It’s worth your time- your students and their reading success will thank you!
May 3, 2020
This should be the first stop for any parent helping their child overcome reading difficulties. It is a concise explainer that delves into crucial understanding like the difference between linguistics, phonics, and whole language methods, how the brain stores and recognizes words, as well as exercises to assess and remediate. An absolute must have book and great primer for more in depth reading. I couldn't put it down.
November 8, 2020
Not something to read cover to cover for fun, but a highly useful reference for trying to understand how to teach children to read, based on the science of what actually works. Personally I was looking more for something about how to prevent children from having reading difficulties at the population level, vs. a handbook on remedial intervention for individual children with trouble reading. Nevertheless, this was clear and interesting.
March 1, 2020
Highly recommend this to anyone who teaches reading, particularly if you have struggling readers and want to understand the process of reading and how to identify the root of the cause and help them. Nearly half of the book provides ways to back up and assess where the break down is and provides a ton of leveled, 1-minute activities any teacher can do to work on their deficits daily.
December 22, 2020
I appreciated all of the research that Kilpatrick included in this book. It was a quick read, with lots of information relating to the how and why of phonemic awareness development in readers.
I was disappointed to see so many “typos” in this published text, which is my reason for not giving it a five star rating.
I was disappointed to see so many “typos” in this published text, which is my reason for not giving it a five star rating.
January 12, 2021
Such a good book explaining the science of reading. A little easier to get through than his other book (which is also good!). I highly suggest seeing him at a conference because it makes his books easier to comprehend and implement the practices. He's an entertaining presenter too, magic tricks and all! I will admit I am totally a nerdy fan girl for Kilpatrick.
August 5, 2022
Reading teacher book: I’m such a Kilpatrick fangirl- I love his work and his passion for promoting phonemic proficiency among struggling readers. I hope to see some solid research studies exploring his program in the near future. This book was much more of a hands on & how to than his other one, but both are excellent information.
February 28, 2023
Every elementary reading teacher or parent of a child who struggles with reading needs this book. It turns out that helping kids who struggle with reading might be more straightforward than we think. It all boils down to phonemic awareness, and this book provides insight and exercises to use with kids (or adults!) of any age who find reading difficult.
August 28, 2019
This book is not just for theory but it also provides the actual lessons to get you started. It is a very SLOW read, because you have so much processing to do. Well worth the time for beginning and experienced teachers.
March 22, 2020
I cannot recommend this resource enough! This is a must read for any classroom teacher K-12. If we understand the science of reading, then we can help prevent reading difficulties and enhance our students learning experience!!!
July 9, 2021
This is a MUST read for anyone teaching children to read or supporting struggling readers. It is the most useful, eye-opening professional development book I’ve ever read. The way that I teach reading will be forever impacted.
June 14, 2022
Kilpatrick does a nice job of citing research, defining types of reading difficulties, and even offering some strategies. He gives a theoretical overview of the Science of Reading. Highly recommended for teachers of reading. I look forward to reading other books authored by him.
November 26, 2022
This is a must-read for teachers of K-Grade 2 students and all reading interventionists! Fair warning: It is a bit dry, but the content is so rich and it's only about 125 pages of text (plus oodles of assessments and teaching resources).
December 28, 2025
It was a very helpful book with great examples and practice activities, but hard to believe that this is the one way to solve all reading problems. Not my favorite to read a book that claims to have all the answers. But still very worth reading for teachers and interventionists!
January 3, 2018
Thought provoking information regarding the divide between scientific research on reading and reading disabilities and current trends in K-12 literacy instruction.
April 11, 2019
One of the very best books for explaining the science of learning to read. Excellent.
January 23, 2020
I highly recommend this book for it's instruction and activities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews