This week, Kate is joined by Nancy Chapel Eberhardt to discuss all things syntax. A key element of language comprehension, equipping students with an understanding of syntax is key to supporting strong reading and writing skills! Take a listen to learn more about how syntax develops and how to best teach this domain of language.

Nancy Chapel Eberhardt is the coauthor of Sortegories 3.0, a web-based app designed to provide practice for essential early literacy skills. She serves as a member of the International Dyslexia Association's Perspectives on Language and Literacy editorial board and is a board member of the Reading League Connecticut chapter.

Show Notes:

Nancy is a wealth of knowledge! Here are links to the fantastic resources she mentions in this episode:

• Sortegories 3.0


• Literacy How: Syntax Knowledge to Practice course and book, co-authored with Dr. Margie Gillis


• Cheryl Scott article: A Case for the Sentence in Reading Comprehension


• Oakhill, Cain & Elbro book: Understanding and Teaching Reading Comprehension


• Coh-Metrix, a tool that analyzes text through measuring word frequency, sentence length, cohesion, and syntactic complexity


• Hochman & Wexler book: The Writing Revolution


• Saddler book: Teacher's Guide to Effective Sentence Writing


• Jennings & Haynes book: From Talking to Writing


• The cohesion circle Nancy mentions is described in this article from Perspectives on Language & Literacy by Haynes, Smith and Laud


• Melinda Hinch, SLP from Greater Essex County DSB, has aligned the teaching materials from the Syntax Project to the Ontario B3 Language Conventions continuum.


• PELI (Preschool Early Literacy Indicators) screening assessment


• CFOL (Comprehension, Fluency & Oral Language) diagnostic assessment


• Hennessy book: The Reading Comprehension Blueprint


• Coming January 2024: The Reading Comprehension Blueprint Activity Book

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