post
BLOG AND NEWS

Data-Driven Instruction: Everyday Tips for Teachers

Jan 1, 2024
 
 

data-driven-instruction-blog-image

At many schools, conversations about data-driven instruction are focused on formal progress monitoring tools and the school’s data wall. While assessments are necessary, there is also valuable data to be found in the classroom everyday. Through formative assessment, teachers are gathering data during lessons and activities, while learning is taking place. They can use the data to make instructional decisions in the moment—increasing or decreasing the level of difficulty, or zeroing in on a difficult concept.

 

Identify areas of weakness

For classrooms and intervention groups of all ages, be aware of what component of reading students are struggling with. Monitor phonological awareness, word attack, sight word recognition, contextual fluency, oral vocabulary, and comprehension.

 

Drill down on decoding

Note the following for your students who struggle to read fluently:

  • Response time for recognizing common words
  • Response time for sounding out new words
  • Consonant and vowel sounds that are challenging
  • Phonetic or orthographic spelling patterns
  • Complexity of syllables that are challenging
  • Ability to self-correct errors

Use the decoding data to determine reading levels and amount of work on individual tasks as the focus of your lessons. For example, if your students are slowly sounding sight words phonetically, adjust instruction away from phonological awareness toward activities that build sight word recognition and fluency.

 

Question comprehension

Most reading experts agree on one thing: in order to comprehend what they read, students must have strong decoding skills and adequate oral vocabulary. In other words, they must be able to accurately decode the words on the page and also know what those words mean. Unfortunately, many students who are able to decode well and understand words continue to demonstrate weak comprehension skills. Comprehension ability can be identified and addressed separately.

 

During contextual reading, or other tasks that require language comprehension, note the following:

  • Response time to comprehension questions
  • Accuracy of responses
  • Grasp of concrete vs. abstract content
  • Ability to use the context to identify new vocabulary
  • Ability to answer critical thinking questions (e.g. “What might happen next? Why do you think. . .?”)

It can be difficult to determine if students are truly comprehending. Try gauging understanding by asking how students imaged, or pictured, the story (or the lecture, or the directions, etc.). Ask questions that stimulate imagery—this will provide immediate feedback as to whether the students “got it” or not. For example, if students have a difficult time responding to “What do you picture for evaporation?” the teachers can adjust the lesson, in the moment, to help students develop an image.

 

Real-time RtI

Your classroom observations, along with assessment data, can inform next-step instruction decisions. Use the results from the skills assessed to choose an intervention that will address the cause of your students’ weaknesses. Lindamood-Bell’s research-validated programs address the imagery-language connection that is a silent partner to cognition and literacy.

 

As an educator, you can learn the steps of our programs to use in your classroom or small-group intervention. Consider attending one of our upcoming workshops, all available live online:

 

Help for Struggling Readers

Seeing Stars (SI)

Symbol Imagery for Phonological and Orthographic Processing in Reading and Spelling

Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing (LiPS)

Phonemic Awareness for Reading, Spelling, and Speech

 

Help for Poor Comprehension Skills

Visualizing and Verbalizing (VV)

Concept Imagery for Language Comprehension, Thinking, and Memory

Talkies

Foundational Development in Concept Imagery, Oral Language Comprehension, and Expression

 

 

 

Connect with us
Is your child struggling in school? We can help.
At Lindamood-Bell, our summer instruction can transform reading, comprehension, or math skills in just a few weeks. Choose in-person or live online learning and head into the new school year with stronger skills and renewed confidence.
⏳ Enroll now—summer spots are filling quickly! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Difference This Summer: Join Our Team as an Educational Clinician/Tutor!
We’re hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. 
✨ Paid training included!
Apply now—link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell summer learning can change your child’s life! Our evidence-based instruction improves Reading, Comprehension, and Math in just a few weeks. 
⏳Enroll now for special savings on your first week of summer learning. Hurry, spots are filling fast! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Meaningful Impact This Summer!
Our learning centers are hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding.
✨ Paid training provided!
Apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📢 Attention Educators! Save 20% on In-Person Workshops in San Luis Obispo, CA this June! 🌞
💡 Lindamood-Bell workshops offer evidence-based programs to support students struggling with reading and math, and those diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Ideal for SPED staff, SLPs, MTSS interventionists, paraprofessionals, and tutors.
Use code JOINSLO25 at checkout to save 20%.
 👉 Spaces are limited—sign up today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Summer at Lindamood-Bell can be life-changing for your child!
In just a few weeks, our evidence-based instruction can make a lasting impact in Reading, Comprehension, or Math.
⏳ Enroll now to save on your first week of summer learning!
Spots are filling fast—don’t miss out!
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Parent Perspective on Autism & Reading Challenges 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based approach helped a child with autism overcome reading struggles and the effects of language delays, boosting confidence and skills.
This inspiring story offers hope for families facing similar challenges.
👉 Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Make a difference this summer!
Lindamood-Bell is hiring! We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals with strong communication skills and a desire to help students thrive.
Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding. Paid training provided!
📍Explore openings and apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Why do so many literacy reforms fall short—and what can be done differently?

In our recent webinar, Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development at Lindamood-Bell, explains what’s been missing from past initiatives and how our evidence-based approach is helping close the gap for students across the country.

🎥 Watch the full webinar: “Why Literacy Reform Keeps Failing and What Actually Works”
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Help your child catch up or get ahead with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction! ☀️
Our personalized, one-to-one instruction builds skills in reading, comprehension, and math—for all ages and abilities, in person or live online.

🔍 Evidence-based approach
 🧠 Proven effective for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism & more
 🎉 Fun, confidence-boosting environment

💸 Enroll now and get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer!
⏳ Don’t wait—get the details and save your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a meaningful impact this summer! 🌞
Lindamood-Bell is now hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today!
Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎓 You’re Invited to the Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House!
📅 Tuesday, April 29, 2025
 🕙 10:00 a.m. PT | 1:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. BST

Discover how our accredited K-12 private school helps students thrive through personalized, evidence-based instruction—both online and in person.

🎤 Join us live to learn more and get your questions answered during the Q&A!
🔗 Register now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
 ✨ We can’t wait to share what makes our Academy truly unique!
🌞 Make This Summer Count!
Unlock your child’s learning potential with our unique Learning Ability Evaluation—the first step toward lasting success in reading, comprehension, and math.
🎉 Now just $495 (reg. $1150)
💡 Plus: Get 10% off your first week of summer instruction!
💥 Hurry—this limited-time offer won’t last!
👉 Tap the link in our bio to get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Parents, make this summer count! 🌞📚
Give your child the boost they need with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction—designed to help students catch up, hone skills, or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Our engaging, evidence-based approach delivers results, with students often gaining years in just weeks!
🏫 In-person or live online—both options lead to similar, strong gains.
💡Enroll now and save! Get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer.
Secure your child's spot today! ✨ Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required