Lit Six - What Every Teacher Needs to Build an Evidence-Based Literacy Block

Combine research-backed literacy instruction with classroom routines that help students find reading success

As schools embrace the science of reading, implementing evidence-based literacy practices is a must! Yet it can be challenging for busy teachers to know exactly how to put research-based approaches and strategies to work in the classroom.

In The Lit Six: What Every Teacher Needs to Build an Evidence-Based Literacy Block, author Nancy Akhavan provides a framework that equips educators with the tools and strategies to build an effective, research-backed literacy block that engages students and fosters skilled readers and writers.The book shows teachers how to integrate six essential daily elements for their literacy block: (1) read alouds; (2) shared reading; (3) small group instruction; (4) writing; (5) language (including vocabulary and morphology); and (6) phonemic awareness, phonics, and word work.

Designed to address the practical challenges teachers face in aligning teaching practices with the latest science of reading research, this book provides actionable solutions to common questions like "What should I teach first?"and "How do I effectively organize my literacy block?" The Lit Six blends evidence-based daily reading instruction with student-centered approaches to help every learner thrive.

Written in Nancy Akhavan¿s signature straightforward and teacher-friendly style, this book offers

• A Comprehensive Model: Discover how to integrate six essential components of a successful literacy block into your lessons.


• Practical Tools for Teachers: Access scaffolds, decision trees, graphic organizers, and detailed guides to jump-start implementation.


• Flexibility in Application: Learn how to apply research-driven practices that create the foundation for great literacy teaching and can be used alongside mandated curriculums to help you meet the needs of all learners in your classroom.


• Data-Driven Tips: Discover how to use classroom data to refine instruction and maximize student progress.

Rooted in decades of classroom experience and informed by the latest literacy research, this book is your guide to seamlessly blending the art and science of teaching. With The Lit Six, educators can design dynamic literacy blocks that not not align with the research but also respond to the unique needs of their students and foster literacy for all.

List of contents

Acknowledgments
About the Author
INTRODUCTION
Chapter One: Planning an Evidence-Based Literacy Block
Oral Language Development First and Always
Talking, Reading, and Writing Throughout The Lit Six
Time Management and The Lit Six
Daily Schedules
In Closing
Chapter Two: The Reading Science Supporting The Lit Six
The Four Processing Systems Involved in Reading
In Closing
Chapter Three: The Writing Science Supporting The Lit Six
The Not-So-Simple View of Writing
In Closing
Chapter Four: Oral Language Development
An Introduction to Oral Language Development
Important Skills to Teach
Strategies in Action
Increasing Exposure to Complex Language Structures
Comprehension Strategies
Presenting Skills
In Closing
Chapter Five: Read Alouds
An Introduction to Read Alouds
Strategies in Action
In Closing
Chapter Six: Shared Reading
An Introduction to Shared Reading
The Skills Involved
Strategies in Action
In Closing
Chapter Seven: Small Group and Independent Reading
An Introduction to Small Group Instruction and Independent Reading
Skills to Address
Strategies in Action
In Closing
Chapter Eight: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics and Word Work
An Introduction to Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, and Word Work
Skills
Strategies in Action
Word Work for Grades 3-8
In Closing
Chapter Nine: Language Instruction
An Introduction to Language Instruction
Strategies in Action
In Closing
Chapter Ten: Writing
An Introduction to Writing
Grades K-1 Writing
Grades 2-5 Writing
Grades 6-8 Writing
Writing Instruction-Not Assigning Writing
Strategies in Action
In Closing
Appendix
Kindergarten Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Scope & Sequence
First Grade Phonemic Awareness and Phonics Scope & Sequence
Second Grade Phonics Scope & Sequence
Common Roots
Most Common Prefixes
Most Common Suffixes
Elkonin Boxes
Summary of Word Reading and Spelling Abilities Based on Ehri's (2005) Four Phases of Development
Wheel Map
Ladder Map
T-Chart for Organizing Information
Get the Gist Graphic Organizer
Timeline Organizer
References
Index

About the author

Dr. Nancy Akhavan, Ed. D. has spent more than 35 years as an educator and consultant. Dr. Akhavan is the founder of Nancy Akhavan Consulting, Inc. She recently retired from Fresno State as an Associate Professional Emerita. Dr. Akhavan has been a bilingual teacher, principal of three schools, and a district administrator of a large urban district for ELA, math, social studies, science and world languages. She also served as Assistant Superintendent Secondary Division in a large urban school district. Dr. Akhavan is recognized for her expertise in teaching literacy practices and has published thirteen books that focus on literacy instruction that increases student achievement She has worked with districts and county offices in multiple states and internationally to increase student achievement in reading, writing, and in content areas. She continues to provide professional development for leaders and teachers in literacy K-12, early literacy, content area literacy and English language development.

Product details

• Authors: Nancy Akhavan
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 14.02.2026
• EAN: 9781071972106
• ISBN: 978-1-0-7197210-6
• No. of pages: 224
• Series: Corwin Literacy
• Subjects: Education and learning > Adult education/adult education classes > Adult education class / course materials (language); Reading skills, Language teaching and learning, For primary education, Educational: English language & literacy, Literacy strategies, Teachers’ classroom resources and material, EDUCATION / Teaching / Subjects / Reading & Phonics, Teaching of reading, writing and numeracy