The Science of Reading: An Introduction to Phonological Awareness

Build early reading with phonological awareness, sound walls, and multisensory routines.

This workshop introduces educators to the critical role of phonological awareness in the Science of Reading framework, focusing on how the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language underpins reading success. Participants learn the progression of skills from basic word and syllable recognition to more advanced phonemic manipulation, supported by classroom-ready activities and instructional strategies. The session also explores the integration of sound walls, articulation techniques for the 44 phonemes of English, and evidence-based practices aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards. By the end, attendees will be equipped to design targeted, multisensory instruction that strengthens students’ foundational reading abilities.

Core Needs Addressed

  • Gaps in early reading instruction related to phonological and phonemic awareness.

  • Difficulty for students in decoding, spelling, and reading fluency due to weak sound-symbol connections.

  • Limited teacher use of research-based strategies and tools like sound walls to support articulation and phoneme recognition.

Key Learnings

  1. Phonological & Phonemic Awareness Progression – Participants will be able to identify, teach, and assess the full continuum of skills, from rhyming and syllable segmentation to isolating, blending, and manipulating phonemes.

  2. Articulation & Sound Wall Integration – Educators will learn to model correct phoneme production using physical articulation cues, vowel motions, and sound wall organization to help students connect speech to print.

  3. Evidence-Based Instructional Practices – Attendees will gain strategies for implementing systematic, standards-aligned activities such as Elkonin boxes, phoneme games, and explicit blending/segmenting exercises to improve reading outcomes

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The Science of Reading: An Introduction to Phonological Awareness

Build early reading with phonological awareness, sound walls, and multisensory routines.

Led by our team of Instructional Strategists

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Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026 2:50 PM

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Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we strengthen phonological awareness instruction to produce measurable gains in early reading and decoding skills?

What instructional practices will ensure students progress through the continuum of sound awareness to phonemic mastery aligned with standards?

How do we build teacher capacity to implement multisensory, evidence-based strategies that prevent reading difficulties and improve literacy outcomes?

This workshop helped me better understand the challenges families face and gave me practical strategies to strengthen communication and engagement. I now feel more confident in building supportive partnerships with families to improve student success.

Jen Soloman

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Delivering Powerful Learning Experiences

As a result of this work

As a result of this work, educators will strengthen their ability to teach phonological awareness as a foundational component of reading, ensuring students develop the skills necessary for decoding and overall literacy success. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, sound wall implementation techniques, articulation methods for the 44 phonemes, and multisensory instructional approaches that support standards-aligned, evidence-based reading instruction.

Workshop Description

This workshop introduces educators to the critical role of phonological awareness in the Science of Reading framework, focusing on how the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language underpins reading success. Participants learn the progression of skills from basic word and syllable recognition to more advanced phonemic manipulation, supported by classroom-ready activities and instructional strategies. The session also explores the integration of sound walls, articulation techniques for the 44 phonemes of English, and evidence-based practices aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards. By the end, attendees will be equipped to design targeted, multisensory instruction that strengthens students’ foundational reading abilities.

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Designed for Today's Schools

Customized
Expert-led
In-person, virtual, or asynchronous
Standards Aligned
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Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will confidently design targeted, multisensory instruction that strengthens phonological awareness and foundational reading skills. This work supports district priorities by strengthening literacy instruction and helping students engage more deeply with complex texts and tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your workshops different from traditional professional development or other providers?

Our approach goes beyond one-size-fits-all professional development. We hold ourselves to rigorous standards of quality and delivery in every client interaction, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, relevant, and impactful. We don’t just deliver workshops—we build long-term partnerships with schools and districts, working alongside educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes over time.

We actively listen to educators’ unique contexts and experiences, using that insight to collaboratively design tailored solutions rather than pre-packaged sessions. Our team asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and continuously learns so we can help redefine what’s possible in teaching and learning.

Above all, we communicate authentically, foster positive and productive relationships, and bring a deep passion and commitment to education. The result is professional learning that feels purposeful, personalized, and truly transformative.

Who are your workshops designed for?

Our workshops are designed for educators and school leaders, including teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and district teams. Each session is tailored to the specific audience to ensure content is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.

What does a typical workshop look like?

Our workshops are interactive, engaging, and grounded in real classroom practice. Each experience is intentionally designed using the principles of andragogy, sound instructional design, and the core constructs of effective professional development to ensure relevance, coherence, and impact. Participants engage in discussion, reflection, planning, and application activities — not just passive listening. Educators leave with concrete strategies and next steps they can implement right away.

How long are your workshops?

We offer flexible formats, including half-day, full-day, and multi-session series. We can also design ongoing professional learning experiences to support sustained implementation over time.

What delivery methods are available for your workshops?

We offer flexible delivery options to meet the needs of schools and districts, including in-person sessions, live virtual workshops, and asynchronous learning through our applied learning platform. Regardless of format, all experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, and collaborative, with structures that promote meaningful participation and application of learning.

What kind of follow-up support is available?

We believe professional learning is most effective when it’s sustained. In addition to workshops, we offer instructional coaching, implementation planning, and follow-up sessions to help teams translate learning into practice and drive meaningful results.

Who facilitates the workshops?

Inspired Instruction’s workshops are facilitated by a nationwide team of expert Instructional Strategists.  Our facilitators bring diverse experience as classroom educators, instructional coaches, principals, directors, and superintendents, spanning all content areas. We thoughtfully match your specific needs with a facilitator whose expertise aligns to ensure the learning experience is relevant, practical, and impactful for your staff.

How much does it cost to bring a workshop to my school or district?

We offer a range of pricing options designed to meet the needs of different schools and districts. Our Client Directors work closely with you to understand your goals, scope, and budget, and will partner with you to design a high-quality professional learning experience that fits within your financial framework.

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