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



October 2025 | 224 pages | Corwin

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 and independent reading; (4) language (including vocabulary and morphology); (5) phonemic awareness, phonics, and word work; and (6) writing.

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.

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.


 
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
Key features
  • Offers a roadmap to implementing evidence-based literacy practices, while maintaining a student-centered approach.
  • Focuses on the research-based practices over reliance on specific commercial programs or materials.
  • Blends the art and science of teaching, emphasizing professional judgment and responsiveness alongside data and research
  • Includes strategies, tasks, scaffolds, decision trees, graphic organizers, and more to help you get started immediately.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Akhavan The Lit Six_Look Inside Content.pdf


Select a Purchasing Option


eBook
ISBN: 9798348839376

Paperback
ISBN: 9781071972106
$39.95