What's New

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Effective Tier I Instruction Can Prevent Reading Difficulties
I'm happy to once again be teaching students and working with teachers in schools. This winter I'm focused on helping teachers (grades 1-6) get small groups up and running, program for supported independent reading and writing, and refine their teaching techniques. Over the months, I'm modeling techniques, strategies, and activities, as well as coaching teachers and providing feedback. Our mantra is read-read-read and write-write-write and our mission is to build and strengthen classroom instruction so that all learners thrive.
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Where the Science of Reading Meets Classroom Practice
My latest teacher resource book, built solidly upon the science of reading, begins with how the brain learns to read and why deficits and difficulties in processing areas can lead to reading difficulties. The book then quickly segues into easy to implement and highly effective Tier 1 instructional practices that help prevent reading difficulties for many children, preK to grade 3. Included in seven chapters are dozens of effective and practice activities, strategies, and routines in the areas of language comprehension, phonology, orthography, and the extended reading of all types of text. Hope you will visit the place where the science of reading meets the art of teaching readers!

Upcoming Events
Coaching, presentations, trainings, author visits and more!

My wish for challenging times: we work for the change we want to see, we are as kind and helpful to one another as possible.

JANUARY
   BER day-long dyslexia seminars            Chicago, IL            1/10
            Helping students who have or may have dyslexia
                                                                        Rockford                1/11
                                                                        Moline                    1/12
                                                                        Champaign           1/13
 
FEBRUARY   
   Divine Mercy Catholic Academy     Johnstown, PA            2/2-3
            In-classroom coaching and discussion of structures &
            routines that enable small group instruction

   BER day-long dyslexia seminars            Hartford, CT            2/7
            Helping students who have or may have dyslexia
                                                                        White Plain NY        2/8
                                                                        Newark NJ              2/9
                                                                        Cherry Hill              2/11
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MARCH 
   DMCA Parent-Child Presentation     Johnstown, PA             3/3
            Live, online parent presentation, kids invited, too!
 
   BER dyslexia conference                      St. Louis  MO          3/7-8
            With Marcia Geller and Andrew Stetkevich
                                                                     Seattle, WA          3/9- 10

   BER live online dyslexia seminar            9-330 CNT             3/26
            Helping students who have or may have dyslexia

   Strong Start for Early Readers Institute  9-330 PST           3/31
            Live, online professional learning for beginning teachers
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Mark Weakland is an author, teacher, national presenter and speaker, and literacy coach and consultant. Keeping his feet firmly in the classroom by regularly teaching in schools, Mark works with teachers, administrators, and parents to make literacy programs and instruction more engaging and successful.  He also loves to explore and make connections between the the arts, nature, science, and education.