Reading Fundamentals

Reading Fundamentals is a three-session course covering the foundational concepts of the Science of Reading.


What Is Reading Fundamentals?

Reading Fundamentals covers the fundamentals of teaching reading in an abbreviated format. It is neither as extensive nor as deep as the CORE Elementary Reading Academy; however, it can serve as a review or a short overview of five critical topics: 

  • Phonemic awareness
  • Phonics
  • Fluency
  • Vocabulary
  • Comprehension.

The course addresses the foundational concepts of the Science of Reading, covering the early-grade basics as well as adolescent literacy and intervention topics. The topics are aligned to Common Core State Standards or your state’s standards.

  • Session 1 focuses on phonemic awareness and phonics.
  • Session 2 focuses on multisyllabic words and fluency.
  • Session 3 focuses on vocabulary and comprehension, with an emphasis on strategies that help students understand either narrative or informational text.

By the end of the course, participants will:

  • Understand the basic principles of five critical reading foundational skills.
  • Leave with models for developing vocabulary and teaching literature and informational texts.
  • See models of instructional lessons.
  • Practice specific routines.

Levels: K–12

Audience: Limited to 45 participants, administrators, and teachers

Format: Three sessions

Materials: Teaching Reading Sourcebook; Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures; CORE Blending Routines DVD, Foundational Skills DVD; Participant Resource Guide

Get in touch

Contact CORE to learn more about how Reading Fundamentals can help you improve early and adolescent literacy teaching outcomes.

Meet Our Literacy Experts

Dr. Dale Webster
Dale Webster

Vice President of Language & Literacy | CORE Learning

Dale Webster is CORE’s Vice President of Language & Literacy. He leads the Educational Services division and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, training, and quality control of CORE’s educational consulting and management staff. Dale brings 20 years of experience in teaching, professional development/technical assistance, research, state-level policy work and administration, and curriculum development to schools and districts across the country.

Dr. Carrie Thomas Beck
Carrie Thomas Beck

Director of Literacy | CORE Learning

Dr. Carrie Thomas Beck is CORE’s Director of Literacy. She comes to CORE after working four years as the Dyslexia Specialist for the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Carrie has led the development of a reading endorsement program at the university and spent five years at the university co-directing the Oregon Reading First Center, a federally funded center that partnered with ODE to provide technical support in the area of early literacy to fifty elementary schools throughout the state of Oregon.

Cris Goldy
Cris Goldy

Director, Education Services | CORE Learning

Cris Goldy is a Senior Educational Services Manager with CORE. Cris provides services to schools, districts and agencies to support effective program implementation, multi-tiered systems of support, special education and special programs support, strategic improvement plans, instructional leadership, teacher development, training and coaching. Her specialties are administrative leadership, K-2 literacy, interventions and special education.

Erica Hidalgo
Erica Hidalgo

Senior Educational Services Manager | CORE Learning

Erica Hidalgo is a Senior Educational Services Manager with CORE. She was a classroom teacher in both Texas and New Mexico before serving as an elementary school principal and curriculum director. Prior to working with CORE, Erica served as a curriculum director where she planned and coordinated ongoing, job-embedded professional learning opportunities for administrators and teachers in both large urban and mid-sized rural school districts.

Get in touch

Contact CORE to learn more about CORE’s Reading Fundamentals courses.