Phenomenal Instruction: The Literacy Block

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Intro: In lieu of my interview with Dr. Kathryn Garforth on my approach to Literacy, I decided to put together a quick breakdown in the form of a Literacy Block.

My Literacy Block

Word Study: Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary

For word study, I used a routine that I call Word Power, which interweaves phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, oral language practice and writing together to reinforce a weekly sound/pattern. Here’s how I teach Word Study.

  • Follow A Scope and Sequence
  • Interactive Phonological Awareness and Phonics
  • Both Reinforced Through Decodables(Not the primary reading material, though)
  • Speak, Read, and Write with Vocabulary
  • Pre-Teach Academic Vocabulary

Fluency: Embedded and Intentional

Teaching fluency should be on a by student and class component. Some students and classes may need repeated reading. Some may need expression. Some may need to put it all together to have overall good prosody. Here are my tips to teach fluency. 

  • Repeated Reading(Intervention and At-Home)
  • Model Expression 
  • Silly Poems
  • Reader’s Theater

Comprehension: Rigorous But Scaffolded

I’m a huge believer in high-rigor instruction but it has to be appropriately challenging. Students need to learn basic reading skills before they can grasp the more high-level skills. Here’s how I teach comprehension.

  • Explicit, Whole Group Instruction
  • Focus on Metacognition, not anchor charts
  • Structured According To Bloom’s Taxonomy
  • Supply Needed Background Knowledge
  • Reading Is More Than A Book(Real Life Examples, Video-Alouds etc.)
  • Inspire A Love For Reading(Appealing Books, Model Avid Reading)

Writing: Make It Not Boring

I’ll keep it simple. Writing every day doesn’t make you a better writer…it’s boring. If taught properly, kids won’t even realize they’re doing it. Here’s how I do it.

  • Follow A Scope and Sequence
  • Front Load Grammar (First 2 Days of Week)
  • Reinforce Grammar Through Writing(Days 3-5)
  • Write About Reading and in other contents
  • Quality Instruction Over Rote Daily Writing

Conclusion: I’ve never claimed to be an expert on Literacy Instruction but my simple yet efficient approach has and will produce high outcomes for students. 

Be Phenomenal, Mr. Short

A Year In Bloom’s: Word Power

A Year In Bloom’s: Reading

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Published by Jeremiah Short

My name is Jeremiah Short, and I’m an educator with twelve years of experience committed to high-impact literacy instruction, student achievement, and the craft of teaching. I’m passionate about designing meaningful learning experiences, building strong classroom culture, and creating systems that help students think, write, and read with confidence. I am the author of As I Took My Walk With God (Volumes I and II) and the creator of Phenomenal Intervention: The Playbook. Over the years, I’ve developed several instructional frameworks and routines used to strengthen reading and writing instruction, including: Explicit ELA R.I.P.E. (my Extended Constructed Response framework) Phenomenal Word Power T.I.D.E. Bloom’s Units: Reading The Phenomenal Classroom My work centers on making literacy instruction clear, intentional, and engaging—helping students build mastery from the word level to the text level through structured routines and explicit teaching.

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