Whether you are questioning or confirming your foundational literacy instruction practices, there is always room for growth in knowledge and skills based on the science of reading. Decades of reading research has clearly defined features of effective literacy instruction and intervention, and we are compelled to respond and teach accordingly. Explicit and systematic phonics instruction benefits all of our learners: it serves as a preventative for many in early elementary general education and as a necessary approach for many who are being supported in the tiers or special education settings, such as students with characteristics of dyslexia, English learners, and adolescents struggling to acquire basic literacy skills. We will not only define the terms associated with explicit and systematic instruction (also known as Structured Literacy), we will also explore examples and non-examples in context. This provides an opportunity for reflection and recommitment to embedding best practices in your literacy instruction to support all your students.