Essential #1: Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster literacy motivation and engagement within and across lessons.

Essential #2: Read Alouds of age appropriate books and other materials, print or digital.

Essential #3: Small group and individual instruction, using a variety of grouping strategies, most often with flexible groups formed and instruction targeted to children’s observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development.

Essential #4: Activities that build phonological awareness (grades K and 1 and as needed thereafter).

Essential #5: Explicit instruction in letter-sound relationships.

Essential #6: Research - and standards - aligned writing instruction.

Essential #7: Intentional and ambitious efforts to build vocabulary and content knowledge.

Essential #8: Abundant reading material and reading opportunities in the classroom.

Essential #9: Ongoing observation and assessment of children’s language and literacy development that informs their education.

Essential #10: Collaboration with families in promoting literacy.