COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 209

October 14, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Put Reading First DVDs Supporting the Five Components of Reading Instruction

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to provide school divisions with DVDs illustrating classroom instruction as recommended in the booklet Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read Kindergarten through Grade 3. These DVDs on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension highlight the application of key components of quality literacy instruction in the classroom. The DVDs will provide the same information contained on the videotapes received in April 2004. Additional copies may be produced as needed.

The purpose of the Put Reading First DVDs is to enhance elementary school teachers’ content knowledge and use of appropriate instructional strategies for teaching reading in kindergarten through grade 3.

The Put Reading First DVDs will be mailed directly to the assistant superintendent of instruction of each school division, and to each college and university providing teacher preparation courses. For additional information, please contact Ginna Glover (Ginna.Glover@doe.virginia.gov), specialist, reading and English, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, at (804) 786-1997.

JLD/VJG/vdg