The Reading Universe comprises a professional development guide for K-3 teachers to improve core reading instruction in schools with which BRI works.  The Reading Universe reflects the fact that reading instruction is not a strictly linear process and that instruction must be tailored to meet the needs of the individual students. It is designed to capture the 'universe' of reading skills that all early elementary teachers must understand and be able to teach in order for children to become successful readers.
      Each of the research-based lessons follows a standard format and includes:

• clear definition of each skill
• an explanation of why that skill is important to the reading process
• identification of the Mississippi Language Arts Benchmark(s) related to that specific skill
• modeling of specific strategies that introduce new and proved methods and materials for use in instruction and interventions
• ways to assess the skill and a definition of what constitutes mastery
• consideration of how the skill applies to different grade levels of instruction
• time for reflection and practice
• bibliography

     K-3 teachers in BRI schools receive a Universe Kit which includes the lessons and specific materials used to execute the skill lessons. The Universe was designed and developed by the BRI Regional Reading Coordinators (master-level reading specialists) in conjunction with BRI education consultants from Mississippi 's Institutions of Higher Learning.