Strategic Instruction Model (SIM™)
Comprehensive, evidence-based instructional tools and programs that empower teachers and enable students to better succeed in school and beyond.
SIM What, Why, & How
What: Instructional Tools and interventions
Why: Impact
SIM has been improving the lives of teachers and learners since 1978. Find out some of the ways in which our work has changed lives for the better.
How: Access SIM
We're happy you're here. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or administrator, we can help you find the SIM solution that best fits your needs.
Get SIM Learning
SIM Credentials
SIM micro-credentials put your knowledge on display. Micro-credentials, commonly known as badges, recognize your investment in professional learning and your dedication to giving your students the evidence-based interventions and tools that can make a difference in their lives.
SIM Events
Visit the SIM Events page for news on all upcoming events, conferences, webinars, online professional development, and more.
SIM Professional Developer Resources
Resources and Links for SIM Professional Developers
SIM Overview
What People are Saying About our Materials and Services
Read these testimonials from individuals who have implemented SIM.
Willie, former SIM student and current Learning Strategies educator, FL
The power of SIM (when in the hands of someone who really cares), is giving kids a pathway to success, no matter what they struggle with. Seeing students achieve with Learning Strategies, when they’ve previously struggled, is the best reward.
Tina, GA
Since implementing and delivering SIM strategies, not only has student performance improved, but students frequently report that they actually used a strategy in another content area and that they felt more successful and less anxious by doing so.
Bonnie, TN
I don't know why this isn't all over the world at this point, and everyone isn't doing it because it works every time. If you implement with fidelity, your kids will grow.
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What's Happening with SIM
News
Nov. 2024 - KUCRL Researchers, Jocelyn Washburn and Suzy Myers, presented at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Conference in Boston.
Oct. 2024 - Such a successful 2024 SIM Northeast Update Conference in Harrisonburg, VA.
Oct. 2024 - Fall 2024 SIM Educator Newsletter, available in the SIM Forum
Oct. 2024 - Three technology tools developed by researchers at KU CRL are featured in the latest edition of Focus on Exceptional Children, Vol. 48(2), co-authored by Dr. Jocelyn Washburn.
Sept. 2024 - Listen to Making the Science of Reading Stick with SIM Director, Dr. Jocelyn Washburn, part of Be Podcast Network and RIF's collaboration to spotlight children’s literacy during National Literacy Month (Sept. 15th episode).
Aug. 2024 - KU CRL researchers, Suzanne Myers and Jocelyn Washburn presented at the OSEP Conference on Research-Practice Partnerships to Advance Adolescent Literacy in State-led Projects and An Adaptive Professional Learning Model for WRITE.
Aug. 2024 - KUCRL was notified it will receive a cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Library of Congress. The project, titled “Citizen Journalism for All Students: Making Journalism in Action’s Library of Congress resources more accessible and relevant for students with disabilities,” will be led by Suzanne Myers and Jocelyn Washburn.
July 2024 - KU CRL Researchers were awarded a grant to test AI integration with KU CRL literacy program for students with disabilities.
May 2024 - Xtreme Reading was been added to the Approved List of Evidence-Based Reading Intervention Programs in Ohio.
April 2024 - KU CRL is highlighted in @LPI_Learning’s new report exploring 10 key features for redesigning high schools to create better learning environments.
January 2024 - SIM Educator Newsletter is online on the SIM Forum
Oct. 2024 - Such a successful 2024 SIM Northeast Update Conference in Harrisonburg, VA.
Oct. 2024 - Fall 2024 SIM Educator Newsletter, available in the SIM Forum
Oct. 2024 - Three technology tools developed by researchers at KU CRL are featured in the latest edition of Focus on Exceptional Children, Vol. 48(2), co-authored by Dr. Jocelyn Washburn.
Sept. 2024 - Listen to Making the Science of Reading Stick with SIM Director, Dr. Jocelyn Washburn, part of Be Podcast Network and RIF's collaboration to spotlight children’s literacy during National Literacy Month (Sept. 15th episode).
Aug. 2024 - KU CRL researchers, Suzanne Myers and Jocelyn Washburn presented at the OSEP Conference on Research-Practice Partnerships to Advance Adolescent Literacy in State-led Projects and An Adaptive Professional Learning Model for WRITE.
Aug. 2024 - KUCRL was notified it will receive a cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Library of Congress. The project, titled “Citizen Journalism for All Students: Making Journalism in Action’s Library of Congress resources more accessible and relevant for students with disabilities,” will be led by Suzanne Myers and Jocelyn Washburn.
July 2024 - KU CRL Researchers were awarded a grant to test AI integration with KU CRL literacy program for students with disabilities.
May 2024 - Xtreme Reading was been added to the Approved List of Evidence-Based Reading Intervention Programs in Ohio.
April 2024 - KU CRL is highlighted in @LPI_Learning’s new report exploring 10 key features for redesigning high schools to create better learning environments.
January 2024 - SIM Educator Newsletter is online on the SIM Forum
Events
SIM Virtual Professional Learning For Educators
-Cross-Curricular Argumentation Routine
-Framing Routine
-Fundamentals of Paraphrasing and Summarizing Strategy
-Coming Soon: The Inference Strategy
-The Paragraph Writing Strategy
-Possible Selves Strategy (1st or 2nd edition)
-Sentence Writing Strategies (Fundamentals and Proficiency)
-Unit Organizer Routine
SIM Update Conferences for SIM Professional Developers, Specialists, and their invited Guests
- Feb. 2025 - Florida Virtual SIM Conference
- March 2025 - Southeast SIM Conference, Charlotte, NC
- April 2025 - Spring Virtual SIM Conference
- October - Nov. 2025 - SIM Virtual Conference
SIM Institutes - Want to Become a SIM Professional Developer? We have two paths for that:
- Content Literacy Leadership Institute (CLLI) - A one-year path for those with some SIM experience.
Next session: June - October, 2025 CLLI
Intent to apply form due: March 1 | Application due: April 1
- SIM PDer2 Pathway: A Two-Part Institute to Build Your Capacity Exponentially - A two-year path for Prospective SIM Professional Developers new to SIM.
Next session: June 2024-May 2026 (registration deadline, May 1)
-Cross-Curricular Argumentation Routine
-Framing Routine
-Fundamentals of Paraphrasing and Summarizing Strategy
-Coming Soon: The Inference Strategy
-The Paragraph Writing Strategy
-Possible Selves Strategy (1st or 2nd edition)
-Sentence Writing Strategies (Fundamentals and Proficiency)
-Unit Organizer Routine
SIM Update Conferences for SIM Professional Developers, Specialists, and their invited Guests
- Feb. 2025 - Florida Virtual SIM Conference
- March 2025 - Southeast SIM Conference, Charlotte, NC
- April 2025 - Spring Virtual SIM Conference
- October - Nov. 2025 - SIM Virtual Conference
SIM Institutes - Want to Become a SIM Professional Developer? We have two paths for that:
- Content Literacy Leadership Institute (CLLI) - A one-year path for those with some SIM experience.
Next session: June - October, 2025 CLLI
Intent to apply form due: March 1 | Application due: April 1
- SIM PDer2 Pathway: A Two-Part Institute to Build Your Capacity Exponentially - A two-year path for Prospective SIM Professional Developers new to SIM.
Next session: June 2024-May 2026 (registration deadline, May 1)
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.
-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.
The Strategic Instruction Model was developed at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning.