Dr. Elfrieda H. (Freddy) Hiebert
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textproject.org
Dr. Elfrieda H. (Freddy) Hiebert
@textproject.org
Literacy educator and researcher, CEO of TextProject, Inc. offering research-based, open access texts for emerging readers K-1 through high school.
For the latest issue of Literacy Today, I sat down with Lara Deloza to discuss how educators can move beyond "cherry-picked" word lists to focus on high-frequency, high-impact vocabulary—backed by decades of research and now enhanced by AI. #Edusky #EdTech #Literacy
publuu.com/flip-book/24...
July 26, 2025 at 12:04 AM
What a delight to talk about my life's work with the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast! We discuss the power of text sets, strategies for vocabulayr instruction, and more. #Edusky #literacy textproject.org/power-of-tex...
The Power of Text Sets: Freddy Talks with the Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Podcast
TextProject founder and CEO Dr Elfrieda (Freddy) Hieberts joins Melissa and Lori of the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast to talk about her life's work: the importance of texts in reading instruc...
textproject.org
July 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Enjoyed talking with Jake Downs, host of the Talking Literacy podcast, about automaticity, the core vocabulary, reading volume, and shifts in understanding of text complexity over the decades. textproject.org/automaticity...
June 17, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Introducing WordRoots, targeted texts centering on root words to enhance students’ understanding of English word construction. WordRoots develops recognition of morphemes—meaningful word units often neglected in literacy instruction. textproject.org/teachers/voc...
#EduSky #teachingreading
April 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
In addition to our free, research-based texts for K-12 students, TextProject.org offers a wealth of professional development resources and insights from the latest literacy research. All available for free download at textproject.org/teacher-educ...
#eduSky #teachereducators #professionaldevelopment
April 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
How can teacher education programs best prepare teacher candidates for the crucial task of choosing appropriate classroom texts for reading instruction? TextProject.org's latest Reading Research Snapshot provides some important insights. #EduSky

textproject.org/text-selecti...
“Making sure the books check every box”: Preservice teachers learning to select texts for reading instruction
How do preservice teachers learn what makes a text complex? This study evaluates how one can teacher educator program approaches classroom text selection.
textproject.org
April 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
DecodableReads™ are short, engaging stories that reinforce consistent, common vowel patterns and high-frequency words. Available for free as online flipbooks or downloadable story bundles on our website at textproject.org/decodablereads
#EduSky #scienceofreading
March 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The Common Core standards dramatically increased text complexity based on an incorrect assumption that texts had been getting easier. Read my case for aligning text complexity with research-based developmental progressions: #Edusky
textproject.org/misunderstan...
How Misunderstandings of Text Complexity May Have Widened the Achievement Gap
Misconceptions about the complexity of classroom texts for beginning readers led teachers to de-emphasize independent reading practice.
textproject.org
March 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Slides from Freddy's recent webinar presentation to the Illinois Reading Council are now available on the TextProject website. Thanks to everyone who attended. America’s teachers are amazing!
textproject.org/library-page...
Applying the Science of Reading in Vocabulary to Build Comprehension and Engagement - TextProject
textproject.org
February 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I'll be at The Center for Literacy & Learning's #PlainTalkNOLA 2025 this coming Thursday Feb. 13, presenting two sessions on "Decoding English: How Spelling and Meaning Shape Reading Success" and "The New Science of Vocabulary: AI Enhanced Approaches to Word Selection." See you there!
www.mycll.org
February 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
While AI excels at organizing and presenting factual information, the art of crafting stories that resonate with young readers still requires human creativity, emotional intelligence, and lived experience.
textproject.org/ai-story-pro...
The AI Story Problem: Why Stories for Children and Adolescents Still Need Human Writers - TextProject
While AI excels at organizing and presenting factual information, the art of crafting stories that resonate with young readers still requires human creativity, emotional intelligence, and lived experi...
textproject.org
January 30, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Reposted by Dr. Elfrieda H. (Freddy) Hiebert
If you’re impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, apply for the CTA Disaster Relief Fund. Or if you’re able to, consider donating to help. Click here: ctamemberbenefits.org/disaster
January 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Vocabulary is not about memorizing lists, it's about learning connections between words. Learn how teachers can leverage AI-generated insights to enhance vocabulary acquisition in this free webinar with Dr. Elfrieda “Freddy” Hiebert, January 14, 2025 @ 3:30 pm EST. Info: textproject.org/register
January 8, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Thought-provoking article from Natalie Wexler: Has the "Science of Reading" gone overboard on phonics? #EduSky nataliewexler.substack.com/p/has-the-sc...
Has the "Science of Reading" Gone Overboard on Phonics?
Some educators are spending too much time on phonics instruction in the early grades, experts warn.
nataliewexler.substack.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Video is now available from my keynote for the Literacy Research Association Reading Hall of Fame Mentoring session on December 5! #EduSky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Pj...
Terminology, Texts and Teachers in an AI World
YouTube video by TextProject
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:16 PM
There's still time to sign up for this webinar! TextProject's own Dr. Elfrieda H. (Freddy) Hiebert joins Sonia Cabell and Sean Morissey to spotlight vocabulary as the unsung hero in reading success. #EduSky #knowledgematterscampaign

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 5, 2024 at 11:29 PM
How are scaffolded texts different from the old Dick & Jane controlled vocabulary readers? Read how advances in language research and data analysis can be used to create texts that support automaticity while maintaining natural, engaging language. textproject.org/word-zones-s...
#Edusky
The Science of Word Zones: How Big Data is Building Better Readers - TextProject
In my recent article “Unpacking automaticity: Scaffolded texts and comprehension,” I introduced Critical Word Zones as the foundation for scaffolded texts. When discussing this approach, educators oft...
textproject.org
December 4, 2024 at 9:12 PM