10 SRA FLEX LITERACY ™ IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE
Effective Literacy and Language Arts Instruction
According to the Reading Next research document (Biancarosa & Snow, 2006), literacy
programs for students in the intermediate grades and above should focus on nine
elements of instruction. As shown in the following table, SRA FLEX LiteracyTM
incorporates these best practices across the three learning experiences.
Elements of Instruction SRA FLEX LiteracyTM
Direct, explicit
comprehension
instruction
Skills and strategies in The Digital and Print Experiences are based
on the gradual release model of instruction. Support from the
computer or teacher moves from modeling skills and strategies to
guiding students through their use to monitoring student
performance as students work on their own.
Effective instructional
principles embedded in
content
Learning tools such as graphic organizers, structured reviews,
guided discussion, and other instructional tactics enhance students’
learning experiences in increasingly more complex text. Reading and
writing practices help students become subject-area experts.
Motivation and
self-directed learning
Students participate in game-like activities that build skills and
strategies in The Digital Experience. Points and incentives are
provided and exchanged for rewards. Students are actively involved
in The Digital Experience and collaborate and participate in
discussions and activities within The Print and Project Experiences.
Text-based collaborative
learning
Collaborative learning is central to The Print and Project
Experiences. Students interact with one another around text in
groups or in project teams. Meaning is negotiated through rich and
focused discussions.
Strategic tutoring
Struggling students benefit from intensive, individualized instruction.
The Digital Experience offers individualized instruction based on
students’ skill levels. A placement test ensures correct initial
placement in The Digital Experience. Online and teacher-delivered
remediation is central to the program’s differentiated instruction.