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Welcome to the Official Website of

Tim Rasinski Ph.D.

International Reading Expert

Empowering educators with research-backed literacy insights, resources, and strategies for teaching reading, including foundational skills, phonics, word study, and fluency.

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Biography

Professor Emeritus of Literary Education, Kent State University

Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a professor emeritus of literary education at Kent State University and was previously director of its award-winning reading clinic. Dr. Rasinski is the author of numerous best-selling books, articles, and curriculum programs on literacy education and has co-authored many resources for Shell Education including, but not limited to, Greek & Latin Roots: Keys to Building Vocabulary, Starting with Prefixes and Suffixes, Practice with Prefixes, Vocabulary Ladders: Understanding Word Nuances series, Getting to the Roots of Content-Area Vocabulary series, Idioms and Other English Expressions series, Close Reading with Paired Texts series, Rhymes for the Times: Literacy Strategies through Social Studies, as well as TCM’s curriculum resource Building Vocabulary series.

Dr. Rasinski is an internationally renowned literacy scholar. In 2021, 2023, and 2026 he was identified as one of the top 2% most-cited scientists in the world. He is also a well known and frequent speaker on the topic of translating the science of reading into productive classroom instruction. His scholarly interests include reading fluency, word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle. Dr. Rasinski served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association and was co-editor of The Reading Teacher, the world’s most widely read journal of literacy education. He has also served as co-editor of the Journal of Literacy Research. Dr. Rasinski is a former president of the College Reading Association and has won the A. B. Herr and Laureate Awards from the College Reading Association for his scholarly contributions to literacy education. In 2010, Dr. Rasinski was elected to the International Reading Hall of Fame, and in 2019 Dr. Rasinski was recipient of the International Literacy Association’s highest honor—the William S. Gray Citation of Merit—for his contributions to the field of literacy.

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HEAR FROM EDUCATORS AND EXPERTS

Success Stories

Discover how Tim Rasinski’s research-backed literacy strategies and resources are transforming reading instruction around the world. Educators share stories of measurable results and engaged students in their classrooms.

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Based on Dr. Rasinski’s Fluency Development Lesson, I developed routines for a daily fluency lesson. A few months after introducing explicit prosody instruction the results were remarkable.

Laura Stam

Second Grade Teacher, Wyoming
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Collaboration with Tim Rasinski has contributed with theoretical support and inspiration in Valla School's work to strengthen students' reading skills through digital tools.

Johanna Groth

Elementary Teacher, Sweden
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Timothy Rasinski has become a mentor to me without even knowing it. His articles gave me an idea for making an impact on our school. I was inspired! A huge thank you to Tim Rasinski for his leadership, knowledge, and resources.

Bo Ryan

Principal, Connecticut
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Word ladders truly are the easiest way to add some fun and excitement into your vocabulary instruction! Thank you, Dr. Rasinski, for creating these wonderful resources for students and teachers!

Alaina Weatherford

ELA Teacher, Illinois

Products

Explore resources authored and co-authored by Tim Rasinski.

Series
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Building Vocabulary

Grades K–11

Quickly master academic vocabulary with systematic daily Greek & Latin root study.
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Vocabulary Ladders: Understanding Word Nuances

Grades 2–6

Daily lessons teach vocabulary, word relationships, and world meaning nuance.  
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Build Reading Fluency: Practice and Performance with Reader's Theater and More

Grades PK–12

Innovative ways to incorporate fluency practice into literacy instruction.
Series
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Close Reading with Paired Texts

Grades K–8

12 units per grade across ELA, science, social studies, and math have close reading, paired texts, text-dependent questions, and hands-on activities.
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Wordo! Vocabulary Game

Grades K–8

Increase students’ engagement with, understanding of, and appreciation of words.
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Let’s Explore Poetry Reading Kit

Grades K–6

Build literacy through rhythm, rhyme, performance, and joyful repeated reading of poetry.
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Reading Templates Kit

Grades K–6

Adapt these flexible, reusable, teacher-friendly templates to make your own classroom resources. 
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Let’s Explore Earth Day Reading Kit

Grades 1–6

Connect Earth Day themes to engaging word ladders and vocabulary exploration.