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A research-based, standards-aligned early literacy curriculum with systematic phonics and differentiated reading instruction for inclusive classrooms, enhanced by play-based learning and robust educator support.

ReadtopiaGO Early Literacy Curriculum:
Providing Access to Reading and Writing Instruction for
Young Learners with Complex Profiles

Educators working with young learners are the gateway to establishing a strong foundation for literacy learning and a love of learning. They are also often the first to identify learning challenges or provide alternative access to learning for learners with complex bodies.

ReadtopiaGO, provides educators with a comprehensive, research-based early literacy curriculum for emergent readers in Pre-K through grade 2+ with complex learning needs. Backed by the science of teaching reading, ReadtopiaGO is the key to delivering engaging, differentiated instruction that puts young learners on the path to conventional literacy success.

A Curriculum Built for Every Learner

Meeting the needs of diverse learners is at the heart of ReadtopiaGO.

Used by educators working with children in self-contained, inclusive, Head Start, speech-language pathology clinics, and other early learning programs, this curriculum is designed to provide accessible and differentiated instruction for learners with complex bodies or learning needs.

ReadtopiaGO extends the reach of science-of-reading based instruction to any inclusive setting, ensuring educators and support staff have ready-to-use tools with integrated training and explicit lesson plans to implement grab and go literacy learning.

Research-Based and Standards-Aligned

Rooted in the research of Comprehensive Literacy for All by Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver, Readtopia and ReadtopiaGO, translate evidence-based literacy instruction into daily instructional routines for learners with complex needs. Download the official Comprehensive Literacy for All Book Study Guide to deepen your understanding and confidently implement these strategies in your classroom and with your team.

A Library for ALL Kids within ReadtopiaGo

With four+ years of literacy lesson plans, each containing 32 books with differentiated text options, educators and learners have a lot to choose from. The custom-created books that anchor each lesson include diverse characters and inclusive settings, so children see themselves reflected as heroes, dreamers, and achievers.

These books, along with an explicit scope and instructional sequence, interactive puppet shows, and play-based activity centers, are designed to captivate young minds while building critical early literacy skills like alphabet recognition, phonics, and independent writing.

Comprehensive Teacher Support

We know that delivering high-quality instruction can feel overwhelming, especially in specialized settings. That’s why ReadtopiaGO comes with explicit and detailed Teacher Guides for every book and lesson. These guides include step-by-step instructional routines like predictable chart writing, morning messages, and integrated literacy lessons that support a variety of learning styles.

New to teaching early literacy? No problem. ReadtopiaGO Teacher Tutorial videos provide clear, practical guidance, making this curriculum easy to use by special education teachers, inclusive educators, paraprofessionals, and speech-language pathologists including those new to special education.

Using this curriculum within a school and district builds capacity and provides a framework for delivery of effective literacy instruction.

Play-Based Learning for Engaged Classrooms

Learning should be joyful, and ReadtopiaGO infuses fun into every lesson. With play-based activity centers and interactive routines, children explore literacy concepts in ways that feel natural and engaging. Self-directed reading and independent writing activities also encourage learners to participate in a developmentally appropriate way.

The curriculum also features interactive puppet show videos, bringing stories and lessons to life in a way that keeps students motivated and excited about literacy development.

Explicit, Systematic, and Data-Driven Literacy Instruction

ReadtopiaGO delivers explicit, systematic literacy instruction designed for students with disabilities, including nonspeaking learners and those with complex communication needs.

The program includes:

  • Systematic phonics and alphabet instruction to build foundational reading skills for all learners

  • Progress monitoring and data tools to track growth and inform instruction, even for students with emerging communication

  • Integrated instructional routines that embed research-based, accessible literacy practices into daily lessons

By combining structured instruction with flexible implementation, ReadtopiaGO supports inclusive, data-driven literacy instruction that builds meaningful reading and writing skills , strengthens communication, and that increases participation for all learners.

Designed to ensure all students, including those who are nonspeaking, have access to comprehensive literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading.

Explore Samples from the ReadtopiaGO
Online Subscription Portal

Click on any of the areas below to explore samples and further details.

Incorporated Literacy Research

Systematic Phonics
Instruction

Teacher Guides & Tutorials

Progress Monitoring
Play-Based Learning
Thematic Instruction
Integrated Instructional Routines
Interactive Puppet Show Videos
Astronaut in space reaching upward with floating number tiles 1–10 and the title 'Learning Numbers' above, on a starry background (educational poster by Building Wings).

Integrated Math

Read What Educators Are Saying

Take a Virtual Tour of ReadtopiaGO

ReadtopiaGO Pricing

Individual
Educator

$825 USD/year
(per educator)

Homeschool/Parents:
If you’d like to bring
ReadtopiaGO into your
home, call us at
847-238-8889
for a discounted license.

School District or Organization
5-50% Savings
Discounts are available for districts/facilities with multiple licenses or who select multi-year options.

Want to Explore More? Contact Us or view detailed information about a few of the themes and collections educators can choose from.

Morning Message Ideas for Preschool and Elementary Classrooms

Start the day with a positive classroom routine using morning message ideas that incorporate literacy learning.

Author Name: Building Wings

Categories: Articles, Reading Curriculum, ReadtopiaGO

Tags: ReadtopiaGo

Date: June 13, 2024

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The Benefits of Using Puppets in Early Childhood Classrooms

An early-childhood educator shares the moment she discovered the benefits of using puppets in early childhood classrooms

Author Name: Building Wings

Categories: Articles, ReadtopiaGO

Tags: ReadtopiaGo

Date: January 17, 2024

Read Blog

Webinar: ReadtopiaGO – The Best Yes!

An on-demand webinar with two special educators who share the process they used to select an early childhood literacy curriculum.

Author Name: cmaleski

Categories: On Demand Webinars, Reading Curriculum, ReadtopiaGO

Tags: ReadtopiaGo

Date: March 16, 2023

Watch Now

Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction

ReadtopiaGO is built on research from Dr. Karen Erickson and the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with the broader science of reading.

Research-based practices are embedded directly into daily lessons and instructional routines, making it easier for educators to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based literacy instruction with confidence. 

This approach ensures all students have access to meaningful reading, writing, and communication instruction aligned with current literacy research.

Explore the ReadtopiaGO White paper

Systematic Phonics Instruction with Decodable Books for All Learners

Build foundational reading skills with a structured, research-based phonics program designed for emergent, transitional, and diverse learners – including students who are nonspeaking or use AAC. Whether you’re teaching in whole group, small group, or individualized settings, this approach ensures every student has access to meaningful literacy instruction – no prior knowledge required.

Learning Letters

Foundational Phonics: Letter-Sound Awareness

Students begin by developing letter recognition and understanding the relationship between letters and sounds.

 

  • Builds phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence

  • Supports emergent readers and early communicators

  • Prepares students to engage with early decodable texts

Learning Letters Plus

Developing Phonics Skills: Blends, Digraphs, and Word Building

Students expand their phonics knowledge and begin decoding more complex patterns.

 

  • Introduces blends, digraphs, and high-frequency words

  • Strengthens word building and decoding skills

  • Includes decodable reading opportunities to build fluency and confidence.

Teacher Guides for Early Literacy Instruction in Special Education

Every ReadtopiaGO unit includes a comprehensive Teacher Guide designed to support job embedded early literacy and foundational reading skills for students in K-3 and early learners with diverse needs.

 

Teachers are provided with clear “say and do” instructional prompts, embedded supports, and ready-to-use resources that guide them through each lesson with confidence. Each unit follows a consistent instructional routine across multiple cycles, helping students build skills through repetition, engagement and meaningful practice.

 

Built-in Teaching Tutorial videos model each instructional routine step-by-step, making implmentation easy for:

  • New special education teachers

  • Substitute teachers

  • Paraprofessionals and instructional assistants

 

These supports ensure that every educator can deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction, regardless of experience level.

 

Progress Monitoring for Early Literacy and IEP Goals

ReadtopiaGO includes built-in formative and summative assessments designed to help educators track early literacy development and monitor progress toward IEP goals for students in PreK-3 and early learners with diverse needs. Teachers can easily collect and share meaningful data with families and IEP teams using tools that focus on observable communication, engagement, and foundational reading skills not just traditional test performance.

The Emergent Literacy Measures provide structured ways to assess key early literacy components, including:

  • Foundational reading behaviors

  • Early comprehension and response

  • Engagement with text and routines

  • Communication and interaction

With multiple assessment types embedded across instruction, educators can:

  • Monitor student growth over time

  • Differentiate instruction based on real data

  • Document progress for IEP reporting and team collaboration

This approach ensures that progress monitoring is authentic, actionable, and aligned to how early learners actually develop literacy skills

Play-Based Learning

Each of the 32 topics include suggestions for related Activity Centers to reinforce learning and offer repetition with variety. Instructions, supply lists and accessibility tips are included.

Thematic Instruction

Four years of literacy instructional lessons are included and are organized within themes and collections. Each year includes four collections and there are four themes within each collection. This offers learners and educators choice to match content with learner interest and calendar content.

Integrated Literacy Instructional Routines

ReadtopiaGO lessons for PreK through 3rd grade embed structured literacy routines into every day instruction, helping educators deliver comprehensive, research-based reading instruction with confidence.

Each lesson integrates essential practices such as shared reading, predictable chart writing, independent reading, and writing so students consistently build skills across contexts.

Designed for early elementary classrooms, these lessons support phonics, language development, and comprehension through daily, connected routines rather than isolated activities.

By engaging in these routines every day, PreK-3 learners develop stronger reading comprehension, communication, and writing skills while accessing meaningful, standards-align content across themes and collections.

How do ReadtopiaGO Puppet Shows Support Student Learning?

Each ReadtopiaGO theme for PreK through 3rd grade includes an interactive instructional video featuring engaging puppet characters that introduce key vocabulary and literacy concepts. These videos are designed to increase student engagement and participation while supporting language development, comprehension, and communication skills.

Integrated Math

Educational counting page showing the numeral 4 and four colorful socks (red, yellow, navy, green) for a counting activity, with on-screen instructions on the right.

Early math is often assumed, not taught—leaving many learners without the basics they need. Learning Numbers in ReadtopiaGO starts at the beginning, building real understanding through playful, interactive routines.

Learners focus on one number at a time, engage in hands-on activities, and build confidence with counting, quantity, and number forms.

Educators get simple, ready-to-use 15-minute routines, flexible supports for all learners, and an easier way to fit meaningful math into the day.

Designed for students with complex needs, Learning Numbers builds confidence, independence, and true mathematical understanding.

Karen A. Erickson, Ph.D.​

Karen A. Erickson, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Her focus is on understanding the best ways to assess and teach reading and writing to children with the most severe disabilities. As a special education teacher, Dr. Erickson has worked to support students with a range of disabilities in a variety of classroom settings, particularly students who do not use speech as their primary means of communication.

Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds

Author Profile: https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=110&Name=Karen+Erickson,Ph.D.

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