This set of videos is organized into two topics: Six Syllables Types and Morphology. The videos are edited from a six-hour professional development and may be used as a sequenced set of lessons or individually.

Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.006(c-1) requires that students who do not meet the passing standard on the Grade 6 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading test must be administered a reading assessment at the beginning of grade 7. The Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA) was developed with Texas students to be a valid and reliable instrument for determining students’ areas of instructional need.

The TMSFA is based on valid and reliable scientific research, thoroughly measures each domain of development, and is user-friendly. The following three domains of development are assessed using the TMSFA.   

1. Text Comprehension (Reading)  
2. Word Analysis  
3. Fluency  

LAR utilizes many techniques to help students learn the content. This is done by breaking the concepts down into smaller/targeted concepts, utilizing color coding, charts, mnemonics, graphics, audio clips, easy-to-grasp written and/or auditory explanations that students can internalize with ease; font size for emphasis; practice quizzes for students to self-check for understanding; level quizzes that progress from surface knowledge  --> to connecting several concepts --> to applying the content to practical examples. 

These learning techniques are especially beneficial for students who are English Language Learners (ELL), Limited English Proficient (LEP), English As Second Language (ESL), Special Education (SPED), and/or Sect. 504 students.

Visit the Language Arts Resources site to access student lessons, quizzes, and more! 

This resource outlines the components of research-based programs for beginning reading instruction and is for all educators who want to learn more about how to support beginning reading instruction in students of all ages. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.

This resource outlines the components of vocabulary development. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.

This resource outlines the components of research-based programs for reading comprehension instruction and is for all educators who want to learn more about how to support reading comprehension for students of all ages. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.

You will learn skills necessary for reading and writing to a prompt.

In this lesson, you will be able to identify the imagery in a text and evaluate its effectiveness.

You will be able to read and analyze a poem using your knowledge of literary and poetic devices.

You will learn how to write a topic proposal that addresses your topic, purpose, and audience.

You will learn how to look at introductory material, headings, and other subdivisions to gain an understanding and an overview of the text’s organization.

You will learn how to write a thesis statement that explains your position about a topic.

You will learn how to organize your essay with relevant evidence that supports your thesis.

You will practice checking for proper voice, tense, and syntax.

You will learn how to annotate or mark a text as you read and re-read to gain deeper understanding of the text.

You will learn how to cite your sources in the body of your research paper and write a works cited page according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style manual.

You will learn revision strategies you can use to strengthen your introduction and body of your paper.

You will be able to identify a speaker’s position in an argument and identify supporting evidence.

You will learn the skills needed to listen to a speaker and identify the parts of a speech and their importance.

You will learn the skills needed in other types of communication, i.e., interview and group discussion.