<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Dear DI Listmates:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">You may have noticed that the latest issue of the NIFDI News
has a link to the recording of NIFDI’s first SOR comprehension webinar: <b>Explicit
Fundamental Language Instruction to Improve Reading Comprehension</b>.<span> </span>In this webinar, we dispel myths regarding
the efficacy of Direct Instruction (DI) in promoting creativity and
higher-order thinking.<span> </span>I hope it will be
useful to you if/when you need to refute false claims that DI only involves
rote, lower-order thinking.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Near the end of the webinar, we focus on the Absurdity Track,
which is an extension of the Opposites Track taught earlier in the Grade K
level of the <i>Reading Mastery Signature Edition</i> (RMSE) language program. <span> </span>Instead of the opposite of an attribute,
however, the Absurdity Track focuses on the opposite of <i>reality</i>. <span> </span>As such, it is an <i>imagination jump starter</i>.
<span> </span>In a structured way, it prompts children
to think out of the ordinary. <span> </span>With
students who have been through the Absurdity Track, you can spark their
imagination by asking them to think about what would be absurd for a frog or a
sidewalk or a piano, and they’ll give you very creative answers.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Access the webinar recording here: <a href="https://lnkd.in/gM2bD4Uw" target="_self" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">https://lnkd.in/gM2bD4Uw</a> .<span> </span>It is 77 minutes long, but there’s no fluff –
we cover A LOT of content that has to do with explicit fundamental language
instruction to improve reading comprehension.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The webinar highlights <b>eight instructional design
elements</b> as we demonstrate how to teach specific higher-order concepts in
Kindergarten (or in higher grades for children who have yet learned these
concepts).<span> </span>These instructional design
elements ensure all students master essential skills and concepts. <span> </span>The elements complement the Science of
Learning (SOL) recommendations:<span></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Build
in cumulative review.<span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Teach
only one new skill or concept at a time. <span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Utilize
known conventions to teach new skills or concepts. <span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Leverage
basic skills and concepts students master to demonstrate higher-order
concepts. <span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Model
concepts using demonstrations or pictures when children don’t possess
sufficient language comprehension.<span> </span><span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Teach
the simplest form of a concept first, then refine the concept in
subsequent lessons.<span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Require
simple responses when teaching verbal reasoning.<span> </span>Require full sentences once students
understand the logical reasoning.<span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Provide
open-ended questions so students apply concepts learned.<span></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">As you may know, Direct Instruction (DI) programs contain
all of the recommendations for instruction incorporated into what’s called the
Science of Learning, including:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span>•<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Retrieval
practice<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span>•<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Spaced
practice, and <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span>•<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Interleaving<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We are planning other webinars on how DI promotes reading
comprehension, and we’ll post info on them to this list.<span> </span>In the meantime, here are some ways you can get
in touch with us (in addition to emailing me back):<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Fill out our contact form: <a href="https://lnkd.in/gTzPwMrC" target="_self" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">https://lnkd.in/gTzPwMrC</a> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Or Email us: <a href="mailto:info@nifdi.org" target="_self" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">info@nifdi.org</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Regards,</p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kurt</span>
<br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">
<font color="#888888"><pre><span style="font-family:"comic sans ms",sans-serif;font-size:x-small">Kurt E. Engelmann, Ph.D., President
The National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI)</span></pre></font><p class="MsoNormal"></p><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><a href="https://www.nifdi.org/training-events/events-calendar/training-event/ca1-2023.html" target="_blank"></a>
</span></i><font color="#888888"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#888888"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div><pre><font color="#888888"><font size="1"><a href="tel:877-485-1973" value="+18774851973" target="_blank"><font color="#888888"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#888888"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="color:black"><hr width="100%" size="2" align="center"></span></div></div></div></div></div></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></font></a></font></font></pre></div></div></div></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></font>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">Get the most comprehensive guide to implementing DI available
– </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><b><i>Direct Instruction: A Practitioner’s Handbook</i></b>
(2024), </font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">published by John Catt/Hodder Education</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/direct-instruction-handbook" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/direct-instruction-handbook</a></font>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><a href="https://www.nifdi.org/training-events/events-calendar/training-event/ca1-2023.html" target="_blank"></a>
</span></i><font color="#888888"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#888888"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div><pre><font color="#888888"><font size="1"><a href="tel:877-485-1973" value="+18774851973" target="_blank"><font color="#888888"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#888888"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:center" align="center"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="color:black"><hr width="100%" size="2" align="center"></span></div></div></div></div></div></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></font></a></font><b><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"></span></b></font></pre><p></p></div></div></div></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>