The Reading Comprehension Blueprint Activity Book: A Practice and Planning Guide for Teachers

Grounded in the science of reading, this book is a practical field guide to intentional instruction that enhances reading comprehension skills for all learners. The activity book covers every section of the Blueprint: vocabulary, syntax and sentence comprehension, text structures, background knowledge, and levels of understanding and inference as well as expression of understanding. For each of these critical areas, this activity book gives educators:

• Clear and concise guidance on the what, why, and how of instruction
• Sample lesson plans that teachers can use as models for their own
• Instructional activities that help students build key skills needed for comprehension
• Ready-to-use tips for successful teaching
• "Try This" activities that help teachers reflect on and hone their instruction
• Supports for diverse learners, including students with learning disabilities and English language learners
• Reader-friendly definitions of important terms
• Links to multimedia content for further learning

Perfect for professional development, this hands-on resource can be studied by individual educators, discussed in small groups, or used as the focus for a training program or learning community. A must-have for current and future K-8 educators, reading specialists, and other practitioners, this activity book helps teachers apply their knowledge of structured comprehension instruction in their classrooms—and strengthen reading success for every learner.

Ms. Hennessy is an experienced teacher, diagnostician and administrator who currently works as a literacy consultant. Nancy has worked across grade levels K–12 with both general and special educators. While in public schools, she provided leadership in the development of innovative curriculum for special needs students and a statewide revision of special education code, and she led a state-of-the-art professional development program for all teachers. She is a former Wilson Language Lead Trainer and National Trainer for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS; Sopris-West).

Nancy has delivered keynote addresses, workshops, and training to educators nationally and internationally on topics including professional development, strategic planning, and components of skilled reading and writing and dyslexia. She has also developed professional development offerings on reading instruction for the AIM Institute of Learning & Research and on dyslexia for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Most recently, Nancy has focused on delivering virtual and in-person professional learning opportunities focused on reading comprehension.

Nancy co-authored the second revision of Module 6 of LETRS, Digging for Meaning: Teaching Text Comprehension, and authored Chapter 15, “Working with Word Meaning: Vocabulary Instruction,” in Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, fourth edition (Birsh & Carreker, 2018).

Nancy has held various positions for the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), including President, Branch Council Chair, and National Conference Chair. She also served on the National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities. She is an honorary member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the 2011 recipient of IDA’s Margaret Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award, and the recipient of the 2012 June Lyday Orton Award from the North Carolina Branch of IDA (NCIDA).

Ms. Salamone is a lifelong learner with over twenty years of experience as an educator in both independent and public schools. Her background is in Special Education and literacy, with credentials that include a master’s degree in special education from
Arcadia University. She currently works as an Instructional Specialist at the Haverford School for Boys where she supports Upper School students in navigating the complexities of reading and writing in the disciplines. Additionally, she consults and
collaborates with the teaching faculty to improve student outcomes.

Julia has also designed and delivered numerous virtual and live presentations. She has served as an instructional designer who created various teacher training courses on dyslexia, the science of reading, and structured literacy. This includes the development of the Pathways to Proficient Reading course, where she worked under the mentorship of Nancy Hennessy, and The Pathways to Proficient Writing Course, where she acted as the co-developer. The former is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and offers blended learning opportunities aligned to the IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading, while the latter is designed to highlight the connection between writing research, theoretical models, and best practices in writing instruction.

Julia’s educational interests include reading comprehension, differentiation, student writing, and teacher empowerment. She resides with her husband, Scott, and daughters, Lena and Mila, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and in her free time enjoys practicing yoga, spending time with her family, and watching movies, old and new.