Science of Reading Awareness Course

Pre-Assessment

Begin with a brief pre-assessment to activate your prior knowledge and help you consider what you already know about literacy development and evidence-based reading instruction.

Module 1 | How Children Learn to Read

Build a foundation for understanding the research and frameworks that explain how reading develops.

• Explain how word recognition and language comprehension work together to support skilled reading.
• Describe how the strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope contribute to reading development.
• Explain how practice strengthens the brain networks involved in reading.
• Recognize how dyslexia, multilingualism, high ability, and other learner differences may influence reading development.

Module 2 | Practical Application Across Content Areas

Explore practical strategies you can use to strengthen literacy through the instruction you already provide.

• Apply a repeatable routine for teaching important content-specific vocabulary.
• Use meaningful word parts, including prefixes, suffixes, and roots, to strengthen vocabulary and comprehension.
• Provide in-the-moment literacy support when students encounter unfamiliar words or ideas.
• Activate, build, and connect background knowledge to support comprehension.
• Layer literacy strategies into lessons and activities you already teach.

Module 3 | Bringing It Back to Your Setting

Connect what you have learned to your role, your students, and the broader literacy supports available within your school or district.

• Describe how your role can contribute to literacy support within Nebraska's Multi-Tiered System of Support (NeMTSS).
• Recognize how collaboration and shared problem-solving can strengthen support for students across learning environments.
• Connect literacy strategies from this course to a specific lesson, activity, or setting.
• Identify an actionable next step for reinforcing literacy within your own educational setting.

Post-Assessment

Complete the post-assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course.

✓ Certificate of Completion

After successfully completing the pre-assessment, all three lessons, and the post-assessment, you will earn your Certificate of Completion. Directions for accessing your certificate through the Nebraska Learning Network will be provided at the end of the course.