Join Dr. Alicia Roberts Frank, President of WABIDA, the INW Dyslexia Alliance, and Michelle Norwood, Regional Literacy Coordinator at NEWESD 101, for a professional learning experience focused on dyslexia, structured literacy, and the language systems that support skilled reading and writing.

Participants may register for the morning session only or choose to attend the full day.

Morning Session: Understanding Dyslexia & Structured Literacy

Participants will:

• Explore the neurobiological foundations of dyslexia and common indicators across grade levels.
• Engage in a powerful dyslexia simulation designed to build empathy and understanding of the challenges students experience when learning to read and write.
• Examine the International Dyslexia Association's updated definition of dyslexia and its implications for classroom instruction.
• Learn the key principles of Structured Literacy, including explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction.
• Explore the connections between the Science of Reading and evidence-based literacy practices.
• Identify strategies for creating dyslexia-friendly classrooms and supporting students through universal screening and early intervention.

Afternoon Session: The Mechanics of Language—Phonology, Orthography & Morphology

Participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of the three language systems that support literacy development.
• Explore phonology, including phonemic awareness and the 44 phonemes of English.
• Examine orthography, including spelling patterns, syllable types, and how speech is represented in print.
• Investigate morphology, focusing on prefixes, suffixes, bases, and the role of meaning in word learning.
• Learn how phonology, orthography, and morphology work together to support decoding, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Explore practical ways to integrate language structures into Tier 1 and Tier 2 literacy instruction.
• Apply learning through classroom-ready activities and instructional routines.

This learning opportunity is designed for family members, classroom teachers, interventionists, special educators, multilingual learner educators, instructional coaches, administrators, and anyone interested in strengthening literacy outcomes through evidence-based practices.

Location

Southside Christian Church
2934 E. 27th Ave.
Spokane, WA

Agenda

Morning Session: 8:30 AM–11:30 AM

Understanding Dyslexia & Structured Literacy

• Welcome and Learning Outcomes

• What Is Dyslexia?

• Common Characteristics and Misconceptions

• Dyslexia Simulation and Reflection

• Structured Literacy: What the Research Says

• Components of Structured Literacy

• Supporting Students Through Evidence-Based Instruction

Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (NOT provided)

Afternoon Session: 12:30 PM–3:30 PM

The Mechanics of Language: Phonology, Orthography & Morphology

• Understanding the Language Systems

• Phonology: Speech Sounds and Phonemic Awareness

• Orthography: The Writing System and Spelling Patterns

• Morphology: Meaningful Word Parts and Vocabulary Development

• Connecting Language Systems to Reading and Writing

• Instructional Applications for the Classroom

• Reflection and Next Steps