Small-Group Instruction That Builds Skilled, Confident Readers
About Literacy Footprints
Literacy Footprints is a comprehensive guided reading system designed to accelerate student growth in grades K–6 through high-quality, small-group instruction. Each lesson is built around a targeted comprehension focus and follows a gradual release model—“I do, we do, you do”—to support students in becoming independent, strategic readers. Carefully selected texts across a wide range of genres provide authentic reading experiences, while integrated writing tasks help students process and express their thinking. Backed by an ESSA Tier I study, Literacy Footprints has been proven to deliver significant results for all students, especially those needing additional support.

Authentic, High-Quality Books Across Genres

  • Literacy Footprints features high-quality engaging books, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and traditional tales.
  • Texts are carefully sequenced and written with diverse characters and culturally responsive themes that reflect students’ lives and expand their world.

Build Strategic, Confident Readers

  • Students are explicitly taught how to decode words, monitor for meaning, and apply comprehension strategies.
  • With repeated opportunities to read and write about authentic texts, Literacy Footprints helps students become thoughtful, independent readers.

Comprehensive Support for Teachers

  • Each kit includes detailed, easy-to-use lessons aligned with The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading.
  • Teachers are supported with phonics routines, writing prompts, and embedded assessments—all designed to streamline planning and support effective instruction.

Proven Results: ESSA Tier I Study

  • A third-party ESSA Tier I study demonstrated significant reading gains students using Literacy Footprints—especially those not yet reading at grade level.
  • With powerful instructional routines and built-in scaffolds, Literacy Footprints delivers real results.
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Built on The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading

  • Literacy Footprints is built on the trusted framework of Jan Richardson’s The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading.
  • Each lesson follows the same clear structure teachers know and love, making it easy to implement in classrooms already using Richardson’s approach.
  • With ready-to-teach plans, high-quality leveled texts, and built-in writing and phonics instruction, Literacy Footprints brings her research-based model to life.