Bedrock Literacy Curriculum
Bedrock Literacy Curriculum
If you work with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students, you already know that traditional, phonics-heavy reading approaches just don't fit how our students learn.
My work with Bedrock Literacy goes back long before the curriculum was published in 2013. Dr. Kristin Di Perri, was my college professor in the mid-1990s, where she first introduced me to the visual literacy concepts that would become Bedrock and shape my entire career. Since then, she has been my mentor, colleague, and one of my biggest cheerleaders. Bedrock’s foundational literacy strategies are the heart of my daily reading instruction and define how I teach to this day. Having used these principles for decades—and being honored to be named in the acknowledgments of the official Bedrock manual—I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this visual framework is for building true reading and writing confidence.
What is Bedrock Literacy?
Created by Kristin Di Perri, Ed.D., the Bedrock Literacy Curriculum is a developmental framework designed specifically to teach foundational literacy skills to DHH students.
Instead of trying to adapt mainstream phonics-based literacy programs, Bedrock builds on DHH students' visual strengths. It gives teachers a structured path to explicitly teach foundational reading, writing, beginning vocabulary, and grammar. Most importantly, Bedrock teaches students how language works, helping them connect print directly to meaning so they can move past guessing and become independent, confident readers.
For more information about Bedrock Literacy, please go to www.bedrockliteracy.com.
How Bedrock Literacy Impacts My Students
I have been using Bedrock for a long time, and year after year, my students show tremendous growth in vocabulary, reading, and writing. Instead of memorizing a set of words for a Friday quiz only to forget them by Monday, my students retain vocabulary long term. Many students even start picking up novel words on their own!
In reading, they learn to visualize whole concepts and translate text directly into fluent, meaningful ASL. Older students quickly move from sentence-level translations to paragraph-level retelling and summarizing. Students who were previously taught to read and sign word-for-word find themselves becoming more confident readers when they learn to let go of that surface-level reading and move into deep comprehension.
In writing, after using Handshape Holders for just a few months, my students quickly go from struggling to write one sentence to confidently filling up an entire page. They just need a way to get through the “How do you spell?” mentality.
My experience with Bedrock proves time and time again that our students don't need an adapted hearing curriculum. They just need a visual approach that honors how they learn. Bedrock doesn't just improve my students' test scores and IEP goals; it gives them independence, pride, and a true love for literacy.
2nd Grade Student Writing Growth
Left: September 2024 (Baseline) | Right: March 2025 (After 6 months of Bedrock Literacy instruction)
Why I Created Bedrock Supplemental Resources
While Bedrock provided the ultimate foundational framework, I found myself spending hours creating extra printables, center activities, and worksheets to give my students the extra practice they needed to master the content.
I knew other busy teachers were doing the exact same thing. That’s why I created a line of supplemental materials designed specifically to complement Bedrock instruction.
My goal is simple: to save you prep time so you can focus on teaching and helping your students thrive.
Explore Bedrock Resources in My Store
Whether you are new to the Bedrock Literacy Curriculum or a veteran teacher looking for fresh, classroom-tested activities, I invite you to explore my resources.