The Strategic Instruction Model™ is a comprehensive, evidence-based adolescent literacy program that empowers teachers and enables students to better succeed in school and beyond.
Why SIM?
- SIM provides students with tools to solve problems independently.
- SIM emphasizes teaching routines that allow teachers to organize and present curriculum content in straightforward, easy-to-learn ways.
Our research confirms that quality teaching materials greatly enhance teachers’ ability to provide quality instruction in their classrooms. Our long-standing commitment to and investment in developing these instructional supports—teacher manuals, student learning sheets, scoring rubrics, and technology supports—underscore the importance we place on this aspect of our work. For more than 40 years, we have worked directly with classroom teachers to develop materials that improve the learning experience for students and the teaching experience for teachers. As a result, we have the research, success stories, and the proven track record to help school succeed in meeting the needs of their students.
Comments from Educators
~ SIM has opened up a whole new world for me as a teacher and as a professional. Xtreme Reading was my introduction to SIM, and after I saw the impact of the program on students in my room, I knew I wanted to share Xtreme and SIM with others...I have learned so much in the last two years. I would venture to say that I've learned more through the SIM PD than any other PD I've ever attended.
~ I enjoy the simplicity of implementing. Unlike other professional development that is not immediately applicable, I can come back from training and immediately begin using the strategy with my kids.
~ We are using the Framing Routine and have noticed a great improvement in our student notes because of it.
~ I find that the strategies are extremely successful and that students do begin to take personal responsibility for the quality of their schoolwork as a result of implementing the strategies.
~ I find the SIM materials to be especially beneficial for my students with specific learning disabilities and other low achieving students.
~ I love how versatile the each strategy is and how you can connect one strategy to the next. These strategies really have the power to transform classrooms...from the teachers to the students...I am excited to see where this journey takes me, teachers, and students!
SIM News
February, 2022 - Listen to the New SIM StoryCorps: How SIM Opens Doors, with Helen Barrier, Dana McCaleb, and Whitney Miller (VA)
January, 2022 - New Article from SIM Professional Developer Chris O'Brien (et al.) in North Carolina: High School Success: A Learning Strategies Intervention to Reduce Drop-Out Rates
December, 2021 - There's a new SIOP and SIM Crosswalk on the Integrating SIM with Other Programs, Strategies, and Initiatives Website
October, 2021 - Twelve additional SIM Learning Strategies are now listed on the NCII’s Academic and Behavioral Interventions Tool Charts
July, 2021 - New Article: Accelerating Student Growth through the Strategic Instruction Model: Effective for Decades, Needed Now More Than Ever
June 2021 - Check out all the 2021 Virtual SIMposium has to offer!
May 2021 - Listen to the May 2021 SIM StoryCorps #2: SIM Goes to Harvard Medical School, with Richard Goldhammer and Sue Woodruff
April, 2021 - Listen to the new SIM StoryCorps: Ignited by Student Success and Fueled by Shared Passion, with Rosemary Tralli and Jocelyn Washburn
March, 2021 - Watch the Evidence-based Practices for Adolescents with Literacy Challenges webinar, with Drs. Irma Brasseur-Hock & Jocelyn Washburn, presented to middle and high school teachers, school and district administrators, and instructional coordinators and coaches across Missouri in March.
February, 2021 - New article from SIM researchers Brasseur-Hock, I. F., Miller, W., Washburn, J., Chroust, A. J., & Hock, Michael, F. (2021). The effects of a comprehensive and supplemental middle school reading program. International Journal of Research in Learning Disabilities. 5(1), 25-41. https://doi.org/10.28987/ijrld.5.1.25
February, 2021 - Check out the new SIM Alignment with Other Practices website at: https://sim.ku.edu/sim-alignment-other-practices
January, 2021 - NEW SIM Content Enhancement Routine! Dr. Janis Bulgren's new routine, Teaching Cross-Curricular Argumentation, is now available in the CRL online store: www.shop.kucrl.ku.edu
November, 2020 - A new article has been accepted for publication on the Question Exploration Routine, Effects of Multmedia versus Live Professional Development on Teachers'a nd Students' performance related to the Question Exploration Routine.
November, 2020 - Please check out our new resouce pages at: Technology-Enhanced SIM™ Learning Strategy Instructional Delivery & Technology-Enhanced SIM™ Content Enhancement Routine Instructional Delivery
September, 2020 - We are pleased to share a new resource: A Crosswalk: High-Leverage Practices in Special Education and Strategic Instruction Model (SIM™) Instructional Tools and Interventions.
September, 2020 - Jocelyn Washburn, Director of Professional Development for the SIM Network, presented a webinar, SIM in Inclusive Classrooms, to more than 70 teachers in India and Singapore. The Webinar was hosted by Lalitha Ramanujan, SIM Profesional Developer and Founder of the Alpha to Omega Learning Centre. Watch the Webinar.
August, 2020 - SIM Professional Developers Michael Fagella-Luby and Endia Lindo (et. al) published the following article: A University–Lab School Writing Partnership Project: Benefits of Curriculum‐Based Measures and Intervention for Students With Learning Differences in peer-reviewed journal, The Reading Teacher (Aug. 31). This article provides a data-informed instructional model for writing, using SIM writing strategies as the primary intervention selected. Their work is timely and relevant to the theme of access.
August, 2020 - With many of the SIM Learning Strategies (and student materials) now available as PDF files, tools like TextHelpReader https://pdf.texthelp.com/ make it easy for students to complete their Learning Sheets online. Learn more about enhancing your work with technology at: https://sim.ku.edu/sim-tech-enhanced-ls
June, 2020 - Sustaining a SIM Initiative in Montana to Improve Student Outcomes
Big things are happening in Montana! Funded by the Educational Promise Foundation, SIM Professional Developers in Montana will build capacity to support SIM professional learning and implementation to improve student outcomes.
May, 2020 - Check out this video about how to use a Unit Organizer in a Digital Classroom from RAISEup Texas.
Professional Learning Sessions for Educators:
- Fundamentals of Paraphrasing and Summarizing Strategy (Canvas Online Session - available anytime)
- Possible Selves Strategy (Canvas Online Session - available anytime)
- June 20 & 27, 2022 - Virtual Professional Learning: The Unit Organizer Routine
- June 21 & 28, 2022 - Virtual Professional Learning: The Framing Routine
- June 22 & 29, 2022 - Virtual Professional Learning: The Question Exploration Routine
- June 27-29, 2022 - Xtreme Reading Institute for Educators
- Aug. 1, 2022 - Concept Trilogy Series: Concept Mastery Routine
- Aug. 3, 2022 - Concept Trilogy Series: Concept Comparison Routine
- Aug. 4, 2022 - Concept Trilogy Series: Concept Anchoring Routine
- Aug. 9, 2022 - Academic Vocabulary Series: Vocabulary LINCing Routine
- Aug. 10, 2022 - Academic Vocabulary Series: Clarifying Routine
- Aug. 16 or Aug. 22, 2022 SIM Sentence Writing Strategies (combined with Canvas Online Session)
- Aug. 16, 2022 - Executive Functioning Series: LINCs Vocabulary Strategy
- Sept. 19 & 21, 2022 - Executive Functioning Series: Word Mapping Strategy
- Oct. 18 & 20, 2022 - Executive Functioning Series: FIRST-Letter Mnemonic Strategy
- Nov. 8 & 10, 2022 - Executive Functioning Series: Paired Associates Strategy
Webinars for Educators:
- University Faculty SIM Webinar Series
- Aug. 12 or Sept. 8 - Webinar #1: Do You Need SIM Instructional Tools? Probably!
- Nov. 10 or 11 - Webinar #2: Work SMARTER, Not Harder with the Course andUnit Organizer Routines
- Jan/Feb. 2023 - Webinar #3: TBA
- Free Q&A Webinar: Getting Started With SIM - More 2022 dates will be posted soon
SIM Update Conferences for SIM Professional Developers and Specialists:
- June 1 - July 19, 2022 - Northeast Virtual SIM Update Conference (hosted by VA TTAC)
- June 14 & 15, 2022 - Upper Midwest SIM Update Conference, in St. Cloud, MN
- SAVE THE DATE - 45th Anniversary Conference, July 11-13, 2023
Content Literacy Leadership Institute for Prospective SIM Professional Developers:
Purchase SIM Materials
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