WI FACETS receives support through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to provide the following resources.

NEW self-directed, interactive online literacy modules NOW available!

Literacy Training Series for Families

Welcome to the Literacy Training Series. The purpose of this series is to help families better understand how to effectively support their children’s literacy development at home and to increase communication with their children’s teachers and school about literacy-related goals. While this information is beneficial to all families for supporting their children’s literacy development, this series was specifically developed for families of students with special education needs.

Users are encouraged to review the module topics in any order. Each module will provide opportunities to participate in activities to increase your understanding of literacy. Having access to a pen or pencil and paper are also recommended.

Meaning and Overview of Literacy

In this module, we will discuss What Literacy Is, Different Types of Literacy and supporting Literacy Learning in Everyday Life. There will also be an engaging Literacy in Everyday Life activity.

Components of Reading

In this module we will discuss the following five components of reading: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension. Users will gain an overview of each of the components, as well as what students need to learn, and how families can support development of the components.

Communication About Literacy

In this module, we will discuss the importance of creating and nurturing a strong connection between home and school. We will offer strategies for sharing information, and asking questions, and improving two-way communication between schools and families.

Literacy in the Classroom 

In this module, we will discuss different approaches to teaching literacy in the classroom setting, types of reading assessments,  and what to do if you think your child is struggling. There are many strategies for both educators and families to support reading at school and at home.

Literacy and the IEP

In this module, we will discuss how and why literacy is important to the IEP process, the important role of families, and steps to creating a meaningful IEP. If your child has an IEP, we enocurage you to review it as you participate in this module.

Online Literacy Resources

  • Reading Rockets parent resources: offers strategies, lessons, activities and ideas designed to help young children learn to read
  • Reading is Fundamental Activities: Educational activities for children, sortable by age and topic
  • Lit2Go: Classic literature for older children with audio
  • Story Nory: Audio stories
  • Day By Day New York: Daily books with audio with manual or automatic page turning, as well as daily activities, songs and videos on a monthly theme.
  • Loyal Books: Books for older children with streaming audio and downloadable chapters.
  • Screen Actor’s Guild Storyline Online: Videos with animated illustrations of books read aloud by famous names.
  • Making Room for Literacy (Video) from the Puckett Institute10
  • Car Games to Get Your Child Ready to Read!