LETRS Volume 2, Units 5-8

by Louisa C. Moats, Carol A. Tolman

Instructor guide to LETRS Reading and Spelling Program. LETRS is a professional development course that empowers teachers to understand the what, why and how of literacy instruction, based on the most current scientific research.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching, Nonfiction

424 pages, Spiral-bound

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ann Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best professional development trainings I’ve ever done — started it in 259 14(!) years ago and finally got the opportunity to restart/complete it. Absolute essential that our teachers start getting the background knowledge they need to truly be effective teachers of literacy. Highly recommend anyone in education participate in LETRS 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Jeny Wariner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about teaching language, reading and writing. I can’t wait to use what I have learned as I coach teachers. This is a resource that I will continue to use again and again!

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professional development book for LETRS

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome! All done!

[Alli Endle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also spent so much of my life this year reading this book that it must be counted towards my reading goal 😂 BUT IM DONE!!! 🎉

[Michele Hanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative

[Hannah Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished this! Two years of my life on LETRS and it is done! Sadly, this was far more mind-numbing than the first four units. The reason is that I actually have a deep knowledge base for what is in units five through eight, and I did not like how LETRS handled English Literature as an academic field. At one point, they kept insisting on calling the conflict of the text the problem, and that rubbed me the wrong way because that is not the academic term. LETRS insists on using academic terms for other fields, but not for English Literature. Also, at another point, they called the falling action resolution and then called the resolution the conclusion for a story map. They would not bring up the plot diagram; it had to be a story map. All of these things just upset me because it felt disrespectful and like LETRS didn't actually look into English Literature as a field of study. Yes, I know this is for kindergarten through like third grade, but you should use proper academic terms starting young, so middle school and high school teachers like myself don't have to reteach concepts and paint over what is already there. It confuses students and makes it harder for them. Some of this information is good, but nothing is groundbreaking, and in some cases, the information comes across as ignorant and misinformed. I am so glad I am done!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a secondary educator, I found volume one much more useful to me compared to this second volume. The information surrounding foundational literacy was new to me. I have found it invaluable this school year as I have worked with high school students who have been denied access to formal educations in their home countries and are at the beginning of their literacy journey. (Yes! High school students!).

However, this second volume did not provide me with any new learning or novel approaches to teaching literacy. Further, the first unit (unit 5) left me VERY unimpressed. The opening to me felt like a classic example taken from a book on cultural linguistics of lingualism. I felt offended by the notion that someone who reads can have a high quality or more sophisticated interaction with the world around them. This type of self-importance placed on reading by educators is lacking nuance, context, and complexity. It was very disappointing after the strong start I experienced from volume one.

That said... if I were a new public educator with limited to no experience, this second volume gives tools and information that are both practical and sound based on my 20 years as a writing teacher.

[Erin Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This training has been eye opening and has helped be to better help my students learn to read and better their reading skills! I’ve learned so much about how the human brain learns to read (we shouldn’t be able to read; our brains literally weren’t meant to be able to read and we’ve had to adapt over the years because of written language), why reading is difficult for some students and how I can help those students for whom reading is more difficult!

[Paula Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned SO MUCH! I highly recommend this book to ALL EDUCATORS. It's not just knowledge for primary teachers. All teaching professionals, including paraprofessionals, should understand the foundations of literacy learning.

[Allison Sirovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again - excellent learning!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focused on teaching vocabulary and writing.

[Sarah Paskett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a textbook about reading. If you chose to read it it’s great. If you’re forced to read it, you’ll learn.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read (and if you can get the online course to go with it) for anyone who is teaching reading and writing. Fabulous!

[Syrena1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was not the heavy lift of Volume I. If you’ve been teaching for a number of years, this is probably more reaffirming than informational. A reminder versus more information.

[Katie Ludes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This training is the best I have received in my 22 year career as an educator.

[Erin]

I'm finally finished!!!!!

[Amy Lyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource. I do wish there was more for what to do with older students.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume in the LETRS series. This was an excellent text to explain how children learn to read and write.

[AmberlyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and useful for my classroom.

[Katie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great PD for teachers!! Highly recommend this course!!

[Lindsay kahney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gives a lot of useful information for elementary education teachers on the language comprehension strand of Scarborough’s reading rope.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of additional information in this second book. There is a lot of pertinent information covered for 3-6th grade teachers.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t learn as much from Volume 2 as I did from Volume 1, but still got great information and practices I can use in my classroom.

[Amy Delight Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so proud that I finished this course! I came away with many ideas for vocabulary, comprehension, and most excitingly, writing!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished finally!

[Kelsey Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for teachers of language and literacy.

[Shayne Elwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great learning for teaching reading and writing.

[Andrew Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing resource! LETRS is worth the time, work, and energy!!!