Science of Reading
Our training in the Science of Reading provides educators with the what, why, and how of evidence-based reading instruction in foundational reading skills, empowering educators with the additional tools they need to better meet the varied needs of the students they serve.
Proven History
We are a team of education professionals with a proven history of providing professional development and on-site coaching support aligned to the Science of Reading and evidence-based literacy practices–with results in raising student outcomes in literacy.
Research-to-Practice:
The Side-by-Side team is adept at creating pathways between research and classroom practice. We have a laser focus on bringing the “why” and the “how” together with educators.
Approved Provider:
Side-by-Side Educational Consulting’s training courses are approved and used in several states, including the Idaho State Department of Education, meeting the requirements for Idaho Code 33-1811 (4).
Science of Teaching Reading Training
Being a teacher of literacy—whether teaching beginning reading and writing skills or the advanced skills of using reading to enhance writing and learning of course content—is complex and requires considerable knowledge and skill.
At Side-by-Side, we provide educators with the essential learning they need to understand the basics of reading at any age. From there, we demonstrate how implement latest research into the “real world” classroom, giving educators the tools they need to strengthen instruction in reading foundations using structured and fast-paced routines that build on a hierarchy of skills that are necessary for students to become proficient readers and writers, including explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction in phonology, phonemic awareness, phonics (basic and advanced), spelling and orthographic awareness, fluency, morphology, and vocabulary. Connections are made to the latest research and evidence-based practices informed by the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and IES Practice Guides, as well as the why and how of literacy assessment to diagnose student needs for specialized instruction, including dyslexia.
Training delivery can be differentiated through varied models including:
- In-person learning on-site
- Live, synchronous online format via Zoom, and/or
- A hybrid approach utilizing both in-person and online for content delivery
This ensures that every educator is provided the latest information and tools to evidence-based literacy practices grounded in Science of Reading into their classrooms, ensuring all students learn to read at proficient levels.
Testimonials
Here is a small sample of the great reviews given by educators on Side-By-Side Science of Teaching Reading Training
Thank you so much for providing all of this amazing information. I wish you had taught my literacy block in college; what a bust! I look forward to learning more from you in the upcoming years!
In just about every breakout room at least one person would say, “This is the best reading-instruction training I have ever received.” The virtual delivery was very engaging and the material/presenter/activities were just high quality and high interest. Thank you for making it worth my time!
My experiences with Side-by-Side have made me a more dynamic and impactful educator! My instruction is more aligned than ever before with the Fundamental Elements of a Structured Literacy Approach. My teaching is carefully scaffolded and is targeted to specific skills using student data. I am reaching more students than ever before and am so excited to learn and grow professionally with Side-by Side as my guide.
Side-by-Side trainings have revolutionized how I teach in the classroom. Each training session is grounded in scientifically-based research and pedagogy that can be implemented in any classroom.
Carrie Cole and Side-by-Side Consulting do what they do for the betterment of children. Having the ability to read opens so many doors of opportunity. Carrie has devoted her professional life to educating teachers in the best practices of literacy instruction. Her mission is being fulfilled each time an educator gains more understanding of reading foundations, takes these skills back to a classroom of learners, utilizing knowledge gained, which, in turn, helps more students learn to read.
Carrie and Side-by-Side have been a game changer in beginning to build a collective understanding in evidence-based literacy practices. I feel lucky enough to have been a part of both virtual and in-person trainings that have been offered. I have learned an infinite amount and always leave eager to learn more! I cannot recommend Side-by-Side enough.
Carrie Cole is such a top-notch professional. She has a passion for sharing her wealth of knowledge and to empower those working with children to make a positive move toward evidence-based literacy principles. She is caring. She is supportive. She has resources and the evidence from research that proves the effectiveness of the methods she teaches.
Carrie, Kim and their team of consultants have been working with district office administration, building administration and teaching staff. We started the year with consultants analyzing data and focusing on the individual needs of each building. The professionalism, dedication and forethought that they have shown to improve instruction in our district has been nothing less than amazing!
Side-by-side has been amazing this year. They are dependable, professional, knowledgeable, welcoming to work with, evidenced-based, and results based. It is truly great to be able to have someone to model my coaching after. I have also greatly appreciated the instructional coach time with Drea Beale each month. I believe it is a sure way to calibrate and level up on instruction and drive our district forward and provide our students with solid learning experiences.
Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Foundational Reading Skills K-5
Our Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Foundational Reading Skills K-5 is divided into three training modules, as outlined below. Districts can also choose specific sessions and build training modules to meet specific timeframes, credits, and needs of educators in their district for foundational literacy.
Module 1:
*This training module encompasses 15 total training hours; one university credit can be provided for educators needing this option
Module 1 covers the following Big Ideas:
1. What is the Science of Reading? Understanding the Basics
2. How the Brain Learns to Read
3. Introduction to Dyslexia
4. Phonology and Its Connection to Proficient Reading and Spelling
5. Phonemic Awareness as an Essential Foundation
6. Beginning Phonics: Teaching Sound-Symbol Correspondence and Beginning Blending
Module 2:
*This training module encompasses 15 total training hours; one university credit can be provided for educators needing this option
Module 2 covers the following Big Ideas:
7. Text Type Matters! The What and Why of Decodable Text
8. Not Just Word Lists and Memorization: Best Methods for Teaching High-Frequency Words
9. Understanding Syllable Types and Syllable Division Patterns
10. Developing Efficient Decoding for Multisyllabic Words
11. First Steps for Fluency: Developing Accuracy and Automaticity in Word-Level Reading
12. Building Text Fluency
Module 3:
*This training module encompasses 15 total training hours; one university credit can be provided for educators needing this option
Module 3 covers the following Big Ideas:
13. Spelling Instruction that Sticks: Incorporating Sound Spelling Cards and Spelling Dictation
14. Spelling Instruction that Sticks: Word Chaining and Word Sorting
15. Morphology to Support Word Composition and Spelling
16. Understanding MTSS for Tiered Literacy Interventions
17. Literacy Assessment to Diagnose Student Need
18. Differentiated Lesson Planning for Students With Language-Based Learning Difficulties
Custom Training Options:
Customized training options are also available. Districts can choose specific sessions and build training modules to meet specific timeframes, credits, and needs of educators in their district. To explore this option, please contact us via email or call (800) 585-8304. We look forward to partnering with you!
K-5 Science of Reading Videos
Click below to see examples of the engaging, live delivery of our K-5 Science of Reading for Foundational Reading Skills training via Zoom.
Learning Letter Names and Letter Sounds
Teaching How to Sound Out Words
Sounds of -ed
Building Blocks for Decoding Words
Importance of Fluency for Comprehension
Contact us for details:
For more detailed session descriptions or additional information on Big Ideas covered in each module, please contact us directly via email or call (800) 585-8304.
A Note for Idaho Educators:
For educators who are seeking comprehensive training to meet Idaho Code 33-1811 (4), our Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Foundational Reading Skills (k-5 and 6-12) is approved to fulfill training requirements for dyslexia professional development and recertification. According to Idaho Law, “no later than the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, all Idaho teachers or administrators with an all subjects (K-8) endorsement, exceptional child generalist endorsement, blended early childhood/early childhood special education endorsement, administrator certificate, or school counselor certificate serving students in kindergarten through grade 5 will be required to earn one (1) or more credits of professional development identifying characteristics of dyslexia and understanding the pedagogy for instructing students with dyslexia and providing dyslexia-focused interventions to recertify.
Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Adolescent Literacy 6-12
Our Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Adolescent Literacy 6-12 is often divided into three modules with 6 training sessions per module. Districts can also choose specific sessions and build training modules to meet specific timeframes, credits, and needs of educators in their district for adolescent literacy.
Session topics include:
1. What is the Science of Reading? Understanding the Basics
2. How the Brain Learns to Read
3. Introduction to Dyslexia
4. Understanding Syllable Types and Syllable Division Patterns
5. Developing Efficient Decoding for Multisyllabic Words
6. Building Text Fluency
7. Spelling Instruction that Sticks: Connecting Phonemes, Graphemes, and Morphology
8. Morphology to Support Word Composition and Spelling
9. Academic Vocabulary and the Importance of Productive Language Opportunities
10. Word Selection and Evidence-Based Methods for Explicit Teaching of Specific Vocabulary Words
11. Word Learning Strategies to Prompt Independent Word Learning
12. Fostering Word Consciousness for Vocabulary to Increase Learning of Course Content
13. Sentence Writing: Essential Building Blocks
14. Methods to Enhance Comprehension in All Content Areas: Part 1
15. Methods to Enhance Comprehension in All Content Areas: Part 2
16. Understanding MTSS for Tiered Literacy Interventions
17. Literacy Assessment to Diagnose Student Need
18. Differentiated Lesson Planning for Students With Language-Based Learning Difficulties
Custom Training Options:
Whether you choose in-person training, online training via Zoom, or a hybrid approach, we work to ensure that every educator is provided the latest information and tools to better understand dyslexia so that they can incorporate evidence-based literacy instruction into their classrooms.
Grades 6-12 Science of Reading Videos
Click below to see examples of the engaging, live delivery of our 6-12 Science of Reading for Adolescent Literacy training via Zoom.
Morphology and Assimilated Prefixes
Choosing Words to Teach for Vocabulary
Strategies for Reading Multisyllabic Words
Booking and Custom Sessions:
To book a training session or sessions and/or to customize training to specifically meet the needs of students and educators in your school or district, please contact us via email or call (800) 585-8304. We look forward to partnering with you!
A Note for Idaho Educators:
For educators who are seeking comprehensive training to meet Idaho Code 33-1811 (4), our Science of Reading and Dyslexia Training for Foundational Reading Skills (k-5 and 6-12) is approved to fulfill training requirements for dyslexia professional development and recertification. According to Idaho Law, “no later than the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, all Idaho teachers or administrators with an all subjects (K-8) endorsement, exceptional child generalist endorsement, blended early childhood/early childhood special education endorsement, administrator certificate, or school counselor certificate serving students in kindergarten through grade 5 will be required to earn one (1) or more credits of professional development identifying characteristics of dyslexia and understanding the pedagogy for instructing students with dyslexia and providing dyslexia-focused interventions to recertify.
Additional Resources and Links
More information on Reading Science from the Web:
Teaching Reading is Rocket Science by Louisa Moats
Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes
Podcasts from APM Reports by Emily Hanford
IES Practice Guides
SOR Basics by IDA
Science of Reading: The Defining Guide by The Reading League
Science of Reading: Evidence for a New Era of Reading Instruction by Laura Stewart
Science of Reading: The Podcast from Amplify
OTRs: Ideas that Work
International Dyslexia Association
The National Center on Improving Literacy
Florida Center for Reading Research
University of Florida Literacy Institute (ULFI), Dyslexia Hub
University of Texas at Austin/Medows Center for Preventing Educational Risk
More Side-by-Side Services
We are committed to helping educational administrators and teachers fulfill their goals of student achievement.
Read more by following the links below to learn how Side-by-Side can help your program or school.
Customized Professional Development
Increasing student achievement by improving teacher effectiveness
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On-Site Technical Assistance
Individualized training and support for schools and districts
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Shared Leadership Structures
Improving student outcomes through shared efforts and responsibility
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Instructional Coaching
Research-to-practice techniques for real-world classroom implementation
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Administrative Support
Opening doors for educational administrators to increase student achievement
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Data-Based Decision Making
Research-driven approach to improving student achievement
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Development Services
Working with teachers and administrators to provide training, teaching materials and best practices
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PO Box 1641 • Libby, MT 59923
(800) 585-8304
Email Us
For Idaho Educators
According to Idaho Code 33-1811, educators must complete training in dyslexia no later than the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Specifically, K-5 educators (instructional staff and coaches employed by a local education agency and involved in the instruction of students in grades K-5, including those providing special education instruction) and 6-12 educators (all teachers, administrators, and school counselors with an instructional certificate in grades 6-12) must receive dyslexia professional development. K-5 teachers must receive professional development in three areas: Characteristics of Dyslexia, Dyslexia Assessment, and Instruction and Intervention, whereas 6-12 teachers must receive professional development in Characteristics of Dyslexia. Our training meets requirements in all three areas as follows:
Introduction to Dyslexia Part 1: Characteristics of Dyslexia (K-12 educators, 2 hours)
Introduction to Dyslexia Part 2: Dyslexia Assessment; Instruction and Intervention (K-5 educators, 2 hours)
A certificate of completion is provided to each educator who completes the course (Part 1 for 6-12 educators and Parts 1-2 for K-5 educators)