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Explicit Literacy Instruction for Secondary Readers - A Conversation with Jennifer Serravallo

September 26, 2025

Supporting Adolescent Literacy Through Explicit, Intentional Instruction

This conversation focuses on how secondary educators can support adolescent literacy through explicit, intentional instruction. The discussion highlights strategies for building background knowledge, strengthening language comprehension, and supporting students who struggle with complex texts. This session connects literacy research to practical classroom application for middle and high school settings.

What You’ll Learn

Explicit instruction supports adolescent literacy growth.
Strategies for building background knowledge and language.
Ways to align literacy practices to secondary instructional demands.

Key Themes Discussed

Explicit literacy instruction for older students.
Knowledge-building approaches to reading comprehension.
Research-aligned literacy practices in secondary classrooms.

Who Should Watch This Webinar?

This webinar is designed for District and school administrators, Secondary literacy leaders, and Curriculum and instructional coaches.

Meet the Speakers

Jennifer Serravallo is the author of over 15 best-selling books, including The Reading Strategies Book and The Writing Strategies Book, helping educators make goal-directed, explicit instruction doable in every classroom.

Dan Cogan-Drew is the Cofounder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela, where he leads the mission to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice.

Additional content

ELA secondary literacy guide

How To Drive Secondary Literacy Growth Through Accessible, Content-Rich, Explicit Instruction

Adolescent literacy strategies with Newsela

Adolescent Literacy with Newsela: Strategies to Build Knowledge and Language Comprehension

Driving literacy with content-rich instruction

Driving Literacy Through Content-Rich Instruction

Literacy skills practice resource for reading comprehension

Driving Reading Comprehension through Literacy Skills Practice with Newsela ELA

Newsela test prep toolkit resource

Newsela Spring Test Prep Toolkit

Formative test prep toolkit resource

Formative Spring Test Prep Toolkit

New Jersey writing prep

Writing for Success: How Newsela Writing Prepares NJ Students for NJSLA and Beyond

Student well-being

Four Strategies for a School Culture Reset

Ground skills practice in authentic content.

Ready to bring authentic, impactful instruction to your students?

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