Crosswalk Education
Virtual Academy
Effective Teaching Isn't Improvised
Everything you need to transform your literacy instruction.
The routines. The strategies. The results.
Welcome! Crosswalk Education's Digital Academy is built around one simple idea: K-5 teachers deserve instruction that's clear, research-based, and classroom proven. Here you'll find courses on everything from building decoding automaticity and writing complex sentences to using cohesive devices and prosody-based comprehension strategies. The academy also includes program-specific training for Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), Reading Mastery, and Corrective Reading Decoding.
Every course shows you what works, why it matters, and how to make it happen in your classroom—starting now. Learning a new program? Refining your practice? Strengthening foundational skills? Focused professional learning that respects your time and expertise starts here.
Core Literacy Foundations
Building the Sentence to Strengthen the Writer
Strong writing starts with strong sentences.
Instead of asking students to write more before they can write well, learn effective routines that help students write clear, compelling sentences across all subjects.
Developing Automatic Word Recognition
Strong reading depends on automatic word recognition.
Learn how to build word reading that's fast, accurate, and automatic—so comprehension can finally take the lead.
Supporting Prosody to Boost Comprehension
Strong comprehension depends on expressive reading.
Learn how to shift reading from flat and mechanical to expressive and meaning-driven.
Language, Writing Fluency & Presentation
Using Cohesive Devices to Support Comprehension
Understanding how ideas connect is key to understanding complex text.
Learn how to help students notice and use the language that links ideas so meaning isn't lost across sentences.
Strengthening Handwriting to Build Strong Writers
When handwriting is automatic, thinking can take the lead.
Discover routines that free students from laboring over letters so they can focus on what they want to say.
Sharpening ELA Instruction with Direct Instruction Techniques
Clear instruction accelerates learning.
See how small shifts in lesson structure can lead to stronger student understanding and retention.
Program-Specific Implementation Support
Core Knowledge Language Arts Foundations Training
Strong literacy instruction depends on both knowledge-building and foundational skills.
Learn about the dual-strand design of Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and how to teach the Skills and Listening & Learning lessons so students systematically build foundational literacy skills and knowledge.
Reading Mastery K-2 Foundations Training
Even well-designed scripted programs depend on skillful delivery.
Learn how to use formats, signals, and corrections to present every lesson with precision to maximize learning.
Corrective Reading Foundations Training
Well-taught intervention programs help students make faster progress.
Learn how to use formats, signals, and corrections to accelerate student progress and close learning gaps in each level of Corrective Reading Decoding.
Crosswalk Education Virtual Academy
Research-based professional learning for K-5 educators focused on literacy, language, and knowledge-building instruction