This season opener of Literacy Talks dives into the foundational elements of structured literacy, inspired by the International Dyslexia Association's 75th Anniversary issue of Perspectives on Language and Literacy. Hosts Stacy Hurst, Lindsay Kemeny, and Donell Pons explore the insights of Barbara Wilson and Jessica Hammond on how structured literacy, grounded in the science of reading, is transforming classrooms. Whether you’re new to the concept or a seasoned educator, join us for an engaging discussion designed to inspire and equip you with tools to champion effective literacy instruction.

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This bonus episode of Literacy Talks recaps the Bright Beginnings pre-service teacher conference. Hosted by Stacy Hurst and featuring insights from a panel of esteemed educators, Lori Anderson, Stephanie Edgren, Dr. Vicki Piquette, and Papae Wymore, the episode delves into the key sessions and takeaways from the conference. 

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on empowering pre-service teachers with the latest research and best practices in literacy instruction, from foundational skills to engaging and motivating learners. The episode highlights the collaborative spirit of the science of reading community and the passion shared by the committee in equipping the next generation of literacy champions.

SHOW NOTES
Resources:

• Bright Beginnings Session Recordings Links
• The Reading League

Literacy Leaders:

• Lori Anderson
  • Facebook - Lori Raquel Anderson
• Stephanie Edgren
  • X - @StephanieEdgren
  • Facebook - Stephanie Grayson Edgren
  • Instagram - @mrs.edgren
  • LinkedIn - Stephanie Edgren
  • Bluesky - @edgrens.bsky.social
• Dr. Vicki Piquette
  • Facebook - Vicki Piquette
• Papae Wymore
  • X - @PapaeWymore
• Dr. Mitchell Brookins
• Dr. Holly Lane
• Dr. Devin Kearns
• Dr. Anita Archer
• Becky Pallone

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In our Season 6 finale, the hosts dive deep into an article from The Reading League Journal that addresses common misunderstandings about the science of reading. They explore a range of topics, including the role of comprehension, the 95% claim, the debate between speech-to-print and print-to-speech, the necessity of learning spelling and syllable division rules, and the use of nonsense words in phonics instruction. 

Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, the hosts help clarify misconceptions and provide a nuanced understanding of the science of reading. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities and separate fact from fiction when it comes to effective reading instruction.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Sharon Vaughn
• Nathan Clemens
• Louisa Moats
• Devin Kearns

Resources:

• The Reading League Journal
• Narrowing the Third-Grade Reading Gap

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This episode of Literacy Talks focuses on the hosts' shared pet peeves related to literacy education. Donell expresses frustration with the persistent challenges around dyslexia awareness and support in schools. Stacy sometimes gets frustrated with the "checklist mentality" in teaching, where some pre-service teachers struggle to move beyond rigid requirements. Lindsay discusses her concerns about overcorrection in teaching high-frequency words and creating simplistic "black and white" lists categorizing educational practices. 

The hosts emphasize the importance of nuance, context, and supporting teachers with adequate time and resources to implement evidence-based literacy instruction effectively.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Katie Pace Miles
• Danielle Colenbrander

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This episode provides a powerful and inspiring look into the work of the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation, which supports high school and college students with dyslexia who wish to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Co-founder Dr. Barbara Wirostko Morelli shares her personal story of navigating the challenges of dyslexia with her own son, Joseph, and the motivation behind creating the foundation in his memory. Listeners hear from scholarship recipient Amy Mabile and mentor Jake Sussman, who offer firsthand accounts of the life-changing impact of the foundation's mentorship, community support, and financial assistance. 

The episode delves into the unique obstacles students with dyslexia face in the education system, the importance of early intervention and proper documentation, and the power of resilience, self-advocacy, and finding one's voice to overcome adversity and achieve academic and personal success.

This is the final installment of the Literacy Talks miniseries Dyslexia Talks, hosted by Donell Pons.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Barbara Wirostko (Morelli)
• Jake Sussman

Resources:

• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation
• Dyslexia: Tapping into the potential | Barbara Wirostko (Morelli), MD | TEDxBozeman
• Morelli Foundation Scholarship Program
• The Forgotten Child: A Poem Dedicated to the neurodiverse
• Superpower Mentors

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This episode of Literacy Talks examines the fundamental role of oral language in student success and literacy development. The hosts - Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay - share their journeys of understanding the distinction between speech and language and how oral language forms the foundation for all literacy skills, from reading comprehension to writing. They explore practical strategies for creating a language-rich classroom environment, including techniques like the "strive for five" approach to extend student conversations. 

The discussion also covers effective ways to assess oral language development and research-backed interventions to support students’ language comprehension. Throughout the conversation, the experts emphasize the long-term, far-reaching impact of prioritizing oral language instruction in the classroom.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan
• Tricia A. Zucker
• Sonia Cabell
• Julie Washington
• Hugh Catts
• Stanislas Dehaene
• Leslie Laud

Resources:

• Right to Read inquiry report—Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC)
• Strive-for-Five Conversations
• Scarborough’s Reading Rope
• Literacy Talks—Comprehension: It’s the Heart of the Matter
• Seesaw
• Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)
• Evidence-based interventions for reading and language difficulties: creating a virtuous circle (Snowling & Hulme, 2011)

Terms:

• Dialogic reading: a shared reading technique that involves a conversation about a book between an adult and a child. The goal is to help the child become the storyteller while the adult listens and guides the conversation. Dialogic reading can help children develop their language and literacy skills, including oral vocabulary and listening comprehension.

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The trio dives into the insights and research of renowned neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene on the cognitive science of reading. Dehaene's work has revolutionized our understanding of how the brain learns to read, from the development of the visual word form area to the neural markers of dyslexia. 

The hosts unpack Dehaene's explanations of the brain's recycling of pre-existing circuits for reading, the competition and collaboration between reading and facial recognition, and the different subtypes of reading challenges. Throughout the discussion, they highlight Dehaene's practical teaching recommendations grounded in the latest neuroscience, providing educators with a roadmap to foster reading proficiency in all learners.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Stanislas Dehaene
• Sally Shaywitz

Resources:

• Video—Stanislas Dehaene Summit 2024 Virtual Keynote
• How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now
• Video—Eyes on Reading: Dr. Stanislas Dehaene with Emily Hanford

Terms:

• The Matthew Effect: The Matthew effect of accumulated advantage, sometimes called the Matthew principle, is the tendency of individuals to accrue social or economic success in proportion to their initial level of popularity, friends, and wealth. It is sometimes summarized by the adage or platitude "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer".

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In this insightful conversation, Donell Pons sits down with Dr. Tim Odegard, a leading expert in dyslexia research. Odegard shares his personal journey as an individual with severe dyslexia and the challenges he faced with limited support and accommodations throughout his education. He also discusses his extensive professional background, including his training in cognitive sciences, neuroimaging, and dyslexia intervention. 

Odegard provides valuable insights into the legislative efforts in Tennessee and other states to improve reading instruction and support for students with dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of creating an enabling context for policy implementation. This episode offers a unique perspective on the complexities of dyslexia and the critical role of empathy, advocacy, and evidence-based practices in literacy education.

This is part four of the Literacy Talks miniseries Dyslexia Talks, hosted by Donell Pons.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Tim Odegard
• Reid Lyon
• Keith Stanovich
• Ameer Baraka
• Samuel Kirk

Resources:

• IDEA
• Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia
• AIM Institute for Learning & Research

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In this thoughtful episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts engage in a reflective discussion on insights and perspectives in the field of literacy education. The conversation explores the nuances and complexities involved in implementing evidence-based practices, honoring teacher expertise, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of literacy instruction. 

Through constructive dialogue, the hosts share their professional ponderings, allowing listeners to consider alternative viewpoints and appreciate the care and dedication that goes into this vital work. Join a meaningful exploration of the literacy landscape, guided by seasoned educators committed to continuous growth and improvement.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Linnea Ehri
• Nancy Mather

Resources:

• Tests of Dyslexia (TOD)

Terms:

• virgule: a slash (/), often used to show pronunciation. For example the letters -igh spell the sound /ī/.
• Dunning–Kruger effect: a cognitive bias in which people wrongly overestimate their knowledge or ability in a specific area. This tends to occur because a lack of self-awareness prevents them from accurately assessing their own skills. (Psychology Today)

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In this insightful conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Conger, a professor at Montana State University, shares his personal journey with dyslexia and the inspiring work he is doing to spotlight the strengths of the dyslexic mind. He provides a unique perspective on navigating education and career paths while embracing one's learning differences. 

Jeff discusses the importance of developing strengths alongside addressing weaknesses and how the Dyslexia and Innovation Symposium creates a new narrative around successful individuals with dyslexia. From leveraging visual memory to distinguishing between eye-reading and ear-reading, Jeff offers valuable insights and advice for individuals, parents, and educators looking to empower those with dyslexia.

This is part three of the Literacy Talks miniseries Dyslexia Talks, hosted by Donell Pons. 

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Dr. Jeffrey Conger
• Dr. Sarah Pennington
• Dr. Waded Cruzado
• Lynsey Dyer
• Cliff Weitzman
• Linda Siegel
• David Flink

Resources:

• Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium
• Speechify
• Grammarly
• Not Stupid, Not Lazy: Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities
• Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities

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