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Missouri Reading Initiative Connection: Grades K-2

The foundation of Missouri Reading Initiative’s professional development is based on the principles of effective and research-based best practices in literacy instruction, including the most current findings by the National Reading Panel. The process and delivery of the Missouri Reading Initiative training is grounded on the principles of quality professional learning following Learning Forward’s recommendations. Missouri Reading Initiative’s on-site, long-term, comprehensive program allows trainers to be invested as partners with individual school sites in promoting improved literacy achievement for every student.
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Program Overview

Overview

Missouri Reading Initiative maintains that all students deserve the best foundational literacy experience possible in order to guarantee future academic and personal success. This requires expertise on the part of every teacher of early literacy. Intentional decision-making for individual students based on the science of how children learn to read is imperative to supporting their progress.

The National Reading Panel has targeted five essential components of reading: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In their work with teachers, Missouri Reading Initiative focuses on each of these.

In addition to these five components, MRI also promotes the importance of building background knowledge of students as well as fostering the motivation to read. Attention must also be given to the impact of oral language development and writing experiences on overall literacy development.

Through the integration of the best early literacy content (knowledge of WHAT to teach) and pedagogy (knowledge of HOW to teach), Kindergarten – Grade 2 teachers become quality practitioners for their young readers and writers.
PROCESS OF PARTICIPATION