Featured Professional Learning Opportunities
Wondrous Words: Igniting Children’s Passion, Purpose, and Skills for Writing
K-6Join us for this two-day, hands-on workshop where you’ll strengthen your ability to read like a writer and learn how to use mentor texts to help students expand their repertoire of craft moves, grow their identities as writers, and deepen their understanding of writing as a meaningful act.
Word Study: Teaching Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling in Grades K-8
K-8In this five-day institute designed for teachers, deepen your understanding of the alphabetic linguistic system and learn how to teach for phonological awareness, phonics, word structure, vocabulary, spelling, and word analysis skills in grades K-8.
From Read-Aloud to Read-Together: Using Dialogic Reading to Grow Young Children’s Language, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
PreK-1This evidence-based, joy-filled practice strengthens children’s oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension through repeated read-alouds and storytelling. Children become active participants—responding to questions, engaging in meaningful conversation, and helping to retell the story.
Over 35 Years of Academic Excellence in Literacy Learning
The Center for Literacy Teaching & Instructional Leadership at Lesley University has been engaged in thirty-five years of innovative, research-based, system-wide educational improvement efforts. We are focused on a single mission—to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a literate life.
We have been working with educators in school systems to improve children’s literacy.
35 Years
of experience improving
childhood literacy
50,000+
educators served from
across the nation and
around the world
Millions
of children’s lives
improved through literacy
Featured Blog Posts
Three Essential Practices for Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Vocabulary knowledge is a key element in comprehending text. Students need ongoing instruction and support in developing their vocabulary because it affects their ability to comprehend texts and communicate their ideas clearly. Here are three instructional practices for approaching vocabulary instruction that will support students in expanding their word knowledge.
Analyzing Hip-Hop as Text: Teaching Students to Read the World Through Culture
Hip-hop is powerful because it provides a voice and a platform to marginalized communities and critiques injustice. It continues to be a powerful means for young people to critique social injustice, demand change, and celebrate their identities—offering not just music, but a way to imagine and create a better world. At its core, hip-hop is a culture that critiques society.
Season’s Readings: 2025 December Holiday Books
The holiday season is a wonderful time to spark joy, build community, and celebrate some of the traditions your students bring into the classroom.