S2 E2: Making Sense of Syntax with Nancy Chapel Eberhardt

This week, Kate is joined by Nancy Chapel Eberhardt to discuss all things syntax. A key element of language comprehension, equipping students with an understanding of syntax is key to supporting strong reading and writing skills! Take a listen to learn more about how syntax develops and how to best teach this domain of language.

Nancy Chapel Eberhardt is the coauthor of Sortegories 3.0, a web-based app designed to provide practice for essential early literacy skills. She serves as a member of the International Dyslexia Association's Perspectives on Language and Literacy editorial board and is a board member of the Reading League Connecticut chapter.

Show Notes:

Nancy is a wealth of knowledge! Here are links to the fantastic resources she mentions in this episode:

• Sortegories 3.0
• Literacy How: Syntax Knowledge to Practice course and book, co-authored with Dr. Margie Gillis
• Cheryl Scott article: A Case for the Sentence in Reading Comprehension
• Oakhill, Cain & Elbro book: Understanding and Teaching Reading Comprehension
• Coh-Metrix, a tool that analyzes text through measuring word frequency, sentence length, cohesion, and syntactic complexity
• Hochman & Wexler book: The Writing Revolution
• Saddler book: Teacher's Guide to Effective Sentence Writing
• Jennings & Haynes book: From Talking to Writing
• The cohesion circle Nancy mentions is described in this article from Perspectives on Language & Literacy by Haynes, Smith and Laud
• Melinda Hinch, SLP from Greater Essex County DSB, has aligned the teaching materials from the Syntax Project to the Ontario B3 Language Conventions continuum.
• PELI (Preschool Early Literacy Indicators) screening assessment
• CFOL (Comprehension, Fluency & Oral Language) diagnostic assessment
• Hennessy book: The Reading Comprehension Blueprint
• Coming January 2024: