The Lit Six

Dr. Nancy Akhavan, Ed. D. has spent more than 35 years as an educator and consultant. Dr. Akhavan is the founder of Nancy Akhavan Consulting, Inc. She recently retired from Fresno State as an Associate Professional Emerita. Dr. Akhavan has been a bilingual teacher, principal of three schools, and a district administrator of a large urban district for ELA, math, social studies, science and world languages. She also served as Assistant Superintendent Secondary Division in a large urban school district. Dr. Akhavan is recognized for her expertise in teaching literacy practices and has published thirteen books that focus on literacy instruction that increases student achievement She has worked with districts and county offices in multiple states and internationally to increase student achievement in reading, writing, and in content areas. She continues to provide professional development for leaders and teachers in literacy K-12, early literacy, content area literacy and English language development.

"In your hands, you hold a comprehensive guide to a much-needed framework integrating the art and science of evidence-based reading instruction. With her thoughtful inclusion of oral language, Nancy Akhavan gives teachers and school leaders the blueprint to comprehensive, student-centered ELA blocks. For anyone in school buildings who has wondered, ‘How do I cover it all—every day for every student?’—this book shows you why and how."

• AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorINTRODUCTIONChapter One: Planning an Evidence-Based Literacy BlockOral Language Development First and AlwaysTalking, Reading, and Writing Throughout The Lit SixTime Management and The Lit SixDaily SchedulesIn ClosingChapter Two: The Reading Science Supporting The Lit SixThe Four Processing Systems Involved in ReadingIn ClosingChapter Three: The Writing Science Supporting The Lit SixThe Not-So-Simple View of WritingIn ClosingChapter Four: Oral Language DevelopmentAn Introduction to Oral Language DevelopmentImportant Skills to TeachStrategies in ActionIncreasing Exposure to Complex Language StructuresComprehension StrategiesPresenting SkillsIn ClosingChapter Five: Read AloudsAn Introduction to Read AloudsStrategies in ActionIn ClosingChapter Six: Shared ReadingAn Introduction to Shared ReadingThe Skills InvolvedStrategies in ActionIn ClosingChapter Seven: Small Group and Independent ReadingAn Introduction to Small Group Instruction and Independent ReadingSkills to AddressStrategies in ActionIn ClosingChapter Eight: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics and Word WorkAn Introduction to Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, and Word WorkSkillsStrategies in ActionWord Work for Grades 3–8In ClosingChapter Nine: Language InstructionAn Introduction to Language InstructionStrategies in ActionIn ClosingChapter Ten: WritingAn Introduction to WritingGrades K–1 WritingGrades 2–5 WritingGrades 6–8 WritingWriting Instruction—Not Assigning WritingStrategies in ActionIn ClosingAppendixKindergarten Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Scope & SequenceFirst Grade Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Scope & SequenceSecond Grade Phonics Scope & SequenceCommon RootsMost Common PrefixesMost Common SuffixesElkonin BoxesSummary of Word Reading and Spelling Abilities Based on Ehri’s (2005) Four Phases of DevelopmentWheel MapLadder MapT-Chart for Organizing InformationGet the Gist Graphic OrganizerTimeline OrganizerReferencesIndex