Literacy Talks

“There’s more to learning to read than phonics…” 

This statement is true, but without phonics at the core of foundational literacy, the progression from beginning reading to fluent reading is at risk. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our three hosts look at skilled word reading and how the process develops in children. From decoding to spelling, from spelling to sound, and then from sound to meaning, skilled word reading takes both experience and time with text. The answer? It’s not either/or. It’s and! The article “Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert” by Anne Castles, Kathleen Rastle, and Kate Nation provides important research data and practical examples of explicit and sequential ways to ensure students build orthographic knowledge. They help make it all classroom-friendly and practical, which benefits students, educators, and families alike. 

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This episode focuses on cracking the alphabetic code in part two of studying the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert by Anne Castles, Kathleen Rastle, and Kate Nation. The discussion emphasizes the significance of spoken language comprehension for young learners and the crucial role of engaging students in the writing system in connecting spoken and written language. Debunking myths about phonics and highlighting the years of practice and instruction needed for reading proficiency, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide where research meets classroom practice. Let’s explore this crucial intersection together in Literacy Talks.

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

Whether you participate in more formal professional learning communities or informal study groups with colleagues, you know the power of sharing and discussing articles and information that are important, thought-provoking, and meaningful. In this episode of Literacy Talks, we launch a four-part conversation centered on the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert by Anne Castles, Kathleen Rastle, and Kate Nation. Our hosts will dive deep into this seminal work, discussing why they find it so impactful and why they recommend it to the science of reading enthusiasts and skeptics alike. It’s like a book club meeting and a professional learning experience all rolled into one. The first episode of this mini-series looks at the article’s opening section, including the importance of reading proficiently, the genesis of “the reading wars,” and the authors’ definition of reading along the way. Join the journey and invite your colleagues for a close look at this critical, robust review of how we can truly help all students read proficiently.

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This installment of Literacy Talks features and celebrates the publication of our own Lindsay Kemeny’s new bestselling book, 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-to-3 Reading Success, from Scholastic. It’s an opportunity to hear how Lindsay, a first-grade reading teacher and popular presenter, decided to write the book while giving listeners an inside look at her writing process. Most importantly, you’ll get a preview of the book’s content and its unique features, including images and videos from Lindsay’s classroom demonstrating specific foundational literacy strategies and an accessible “can-do” approach to helping teachers put the science of reading research into classroom practice.

Spend a little time with some of the brightest voices in literacy teaching and learning and come away inspired and energized. Tune in to this mighty moving episode of Literacy Talks! 

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

In this episode of Literacy Talks, the trio excitedly welcomes Emily Hanford, the award-winning journalist and media producer whose work and Sold a Story podcast have changed the literacy landscape. You’ll hear Emily talk about her career reporting on education and how she uncovered problems in reading instruction, which were, in her words, hiding in plain sight. Her work has enlightened a growing audience of educators, parents, community members, policymakers, and more. She’s forthright and engaging, and she’s helped thousands of people understand more about the science of reading and the importance of putting that research into practice. Don’t miss this special, must-hear episode of Literacy Talks.

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Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

In this episode of Literacy Talks, our trio of literacy experts unpacks all the information first introduced in Episode 3 of this season, featuring special guest Dr. Matt Burns. Why? Because the conversations surrounding reading levels, assessments, and the unwavering pursuit of reading proficiency are pivotal. From underscoring the importance of informal observations, pre-teaching, and scaffolding text, hear how frontline classroom teachers, reading coaches, and administrators can change how they think about reading levels and help students access all of the instructional information and resources they need to grow as readers and learners.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

Classroom teachers, families, reading coaches, and, most importantly, students have all experienced reading levels. In this compelling episode of Literacy Talks, special guest Dr. Matt Burns shares his research and insights and their application to literacy learning, extra support, and growth. It’s a candid and refreshing look at assessment, measurement, and the changes in how the profession can challenge the whole notion of reading levels. This is an episode that just might change your thinking! Tune in and learn about the new ways of assessing and, most of all, growing students’ reading abilities.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Get real”? This episode extends our back-to-school conversation and focuses on the data and real-time information that will help teachers create classrooms that are places of success for every student. From recognizing that nearly a third of all fourth graders score below basic in reading, with another third at very basic levels, to early assessments that will identify those students who need extra support, this episode will “get real” about supporting striving readers from the first weeks of school forward. The conversation stretches from early grades through upper elementary, middle, and high school, emphasizing building strong reading and writing foundational skills in the K–3 years. It’s an urgent, important message full of optimism as our hosts look at the tools, supports, and knowledge that will lead to literacy.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

Whether you’re teaching for the first time or a seasoned classroom educator, the words ‘back to school’ always signal excitement, energy, and new enthusiasm for the year ahead. As we launch season 4 of Literacy Talks, our trio explores ideas and strategies to create classroom, at-home, and tutoring environments that support readers and reading. You’ll pick up helpful tips for classroom setup. You’ll understand why classroom routines are critical from the first day forward, and more about building relationships that help students feel comfortable and open to learning. Listen to this episode and discover the wit and wisdom of teachers who have “been there” and are here now to welcome every educator back to school!

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

Pop some popcorn. Find a comfy couch. Settle in and listen to this episode of Literacy Talks as our terrific trio shares a lineup of films about literacy. From The Right to Read to Blame It On Gutenberg, there are new and now classic films about the critical importance of literacy that you’ll want to watch. In this episode, our trio shares their responses to the movies and why they believe it’s important for educators, parents, students, and the community to see them. From sparking meaningful discussions to deepening our shared understanding of the struggle people face when they cannot read, these films build awareness, encourage activism, and reinforce every educator’s role in ensuring all children can read.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.