This manuscript provides readers with practical, evidence-based strategies, which have potential to enhance literacy instruction in rural schools. Rural teachers will find this manuscript especially useful as the unique characteristics, disparities and needs frequently present in rural communities are discussed, as well as, specific suggestions on how to enhance literacy instruction and student learning. A framework and instructional strategy are presented, which have potential to enhance the learning of rural students based on specific rural characteristics and features. The framework of place-based education builds upon students' knowledge of their community to enhance the curriculum and the strategy of incorporating virtual field trips into the curriculum provides rural students exposure to places and cultural institutions around the world.