As we work to improve how we teach phonics, phonemic awareness, and word recognition while adding in writing instruction and content knowledge, we’re all working toward a key goal. It’s reading comprehension.

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we turn our attention to comprehension and the tapestry of skills that come together for readers and learners of all ages as they read for meaning, knowledge, and the sheer joy of learning and discovery.

This episode delivers best practices for building knowledge and will give you a new understanding of—that’s right—understanding what we read!

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders

• Dr. Hugh Catts

Resources

• Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension—Hugh W. Catts, Winter 2022
• Developing an R&D Program to Improve Reading Comprehension RAND Reading Study Group (RRSG) 2003
• The Big Sky Literacy Summit
• NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
• Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert—Castles, Rastle, and Nation
• Reading for Understanding Toward an R&D Program in Reading Comprehension—Catherine Snow, RAND

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As momentum continues to build for instructional practices and strategies rooted in the science of reading, sometimes controversies can arise. In this episode of Literacy Talks, Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay tackle some of the little disagreements among well-meaning, well-informed educators, all from the perspective of sharing information, supporting colleagues, and strengthening our literacy community. From best practices in introducing the alphabet’s letters and sounds to the concepts of blends and blending, get in touch with the topics and ideas that keep the literacy community talking.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders:

• Dr. Shayne Piasta
• Dr. Steve Dykstra
• Dr. Sally Shaywitz
• Dr. Louisa Moats

Resources:

• Acadience
• Leap Frog Letter Factory

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Dyslexia is often misunderstood, missed altogether, and surrounded by myths. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts revisit the state of dyslexia. From gaps in professionals’ knowledge to challenges in early identification and intervention, we need more and better conversations, bolder advocacy, and strong systemic support. In short, there’s work to do, and this episode will enrich and deepen the path forward.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders:

• Dr. Tim Odegard
• Dr. Sally Shaywitz

Resources

• Scientific American—Too Many Schools Are Misdiagnosing Dyslexia
• International Dyslexia Association—Dyslexia in the Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know
• The Reading League—Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines
• Overcoming Dyslexia, Second Edition (2020) by Dr. Sally Shaywitz M.D. and Jonathan Shaywitz M.D.

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As literacy instruction evolves and improves and the science of reading informs classroom practice more and more, we all need to make room for each other’s ideas, perspectives, and expertise. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts ask themselves and teachers everywhere if we’re being too judgmental. How can we approach conversations with colleagues as we strive to improve students’ reading proficiency together? From guidelines for productive conversations to kinder, gentler ways to share best practices and insights, this episode will inspire you to think about ways to help colleagues and grow professionally.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders:

• Dr. Steve Dykstra
• Emily Hanford
• Dr. David Kilpatrick
• Mitchell Brookins
• Leslie Laud
• Dr. Tracy White-Weeden

Resources:

Think Again by Adam Grant

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There is much to know as we teach foundational and more advanced literacy. Here’s where questions arise. How much do teachers need to know about the science of reading to be effective and successful in the classroom? A related question: How much do students need to know about technical reading and language terms to develop and grow their literacy skills and confidence? 

In this episode, our trio of literacy experts looks at reading terminology and who needs to know what so learners become readers. Take away some insight and perspective every educator can use to hone their practice.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders:

• Hollis Scarborough
• Christopher Such
• Louisa Moats

Resources:

• The misunderstood limits of folk science: an illusion of explanatory depth by Leonid Rozenblit and Frank Keil
• Scarborough's Reading Rope
• Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science by Louisa Moats

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In October of 2023, The Reading Council of North America filed a lawsuit against Ohio, attempting to reverse the state’s move to align classroom instruction to the science of reading principles and practices. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts discuss the growing momentum behind instruction based in the science of reading and the importance of looking closely, carefully, and analytically at the research that supports any approach. Listeners will hear common sense, clear thinking, and data-informed perspectives about choosing curricula and staying involved in legislative initiatives. Educator voices matter! Let’s get started.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders:

• Dr. Steve Dykstra
• Emily Hanford

Resources:

• Education Week, October 18, 2023—Reading Recovery Sues Ohio Over Ban on ‘Cueing’ in Literacy Instruction
• Thomas B. Fordham Institute, July 27, 2023—It’s time to dump Reading Recovery
• Education Week, October 24, 2022—Two Decades of Progress, Nearly Gone: National Math, Reading Scores Hit Historic Lows
• The Reading League
• International Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction (IFERI)

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The Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy is growing in popularity for students with dyslexia, and now it is often included in state-level education policy. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts talk in-depth about the research supporting key components of the “OG” approach and explore where additional research is needed. The spark for this conversation is an important article published in October of 2023 in The Reading League Journal. Tune in and learn more about what’s known and what’s yet to be studied. It will reaffirm some things you know and open the door to new learning. As educators, we know there’s always more to learn about reading instruction. Let’s get started.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders

• Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham
• Dr. Steven Dykstra
• Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson
• Devin Kearns, Ph.D.

Resources:

• Orton-Gillingham: Which Aspects are Supported by Research and Which Require Additional Research?
• Orton-Gillingham Academy—What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?

Build Your Literacy Lexicon

• MTSS: Multi-Tiered System of Support is an educational approach that provides personalized assistance and guidance to students based on their varying needs, ensuring they have the necessary resources to excel academically and thrive socially and emotionally.

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Whether you attended the Plain Talk 2024 Conference or wish you did, this episode is a whirlwind wrap-up of the event. From our hosts’ responses to several keynote presentations to quick summaries of the breakout sessions that made an impact, you’ll get the inside story about how the literacy community embraces science of reading instruction. You’ll also hear about new research and how this data can impact educators’ practice. From great takeaway phrases like “We need a call to curiosity…” to “One caring adult makes all the difference…” you’ll get post-conference perspectives that will fuel your professional learning. So sit back and enjoy an auditory field trip to #PlainTalkNOLA 2024.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders

• Dr. Linnea Ehri - Plain Talk Conference presenter and author of the book The Recognition of Words. CUNY Graduate Center, Distinguished Professor
• Devin Kearns, Ph.D. - Education researcher who studies reading disabilities, including dyslexia. 
• Dr. John Hodge - President and co-founder of Urban Learning and Leadership Center, an organization focused on student achievement and reduction of the achievement gap.
• John Hattie - Professor of Education and Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Noted author and speaker.
• Carolyn Strom, Ph.D. - Early literacy expert, author, instructional media developer, and speaker. Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU.
• Maryanne Wolf - Director, Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners and Social Justice, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. The author of several books, including Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World.
• Stephanie Stollar, Ph.D. - Dr. Stollar is a noted presenter, consultant, part-time assistant professor in the online Reading Science Program at Mount S. Joseph University, and a founding member of the National Alliance for Supporting Reading Science in Higher Education. A noted researcher and presenter, she is also a board member of the Innovations in Education Consortium.

Resources

• Institute for Multi-Sensory Education
• John Hattie presentation slide

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There is new interest in small group instruction as a key component of early literacy learning. Some educators are talking about skipping the small groups. Others have important ideas about making small group instruction better and more effective.

In this episode, our hosts explore strategies and tactics for organizing, supporting, and evaluating small group instructional time. From carefully grouping students as their skills grow to using technology and audiobooks, this in-depth look at small groups will give every educator new ideas and important insights into making small groups BIG contributors to student progress. You may even want to gather a small group of colleagues to listen to this episode!

Show Notes
Resources

• Maximizing Small-Group Reading Instruction
• National Reading Panel Report
• Epic

Build Your Literacy Lexicon

• prosody: the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech

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Season 5 of Literacy Talks begins with a visit from special guest Dr. Elfrieda “Freddie” Hiebert, noted researcher, educator, author, and president and CEO of TextProject, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on bringing beginning and struggling readers to high levels of literacy using a variety of strategies and tools, particularly the texts used for reading instruction.

In this episode, our hosts explore how small changes in teaching vocabulary and text complexity can lead to big differences in students’ literacy growth. From helping students unlock the treasure box of vocabulary to remembering that language and literacy are always about meaning, this episode invites educators to the world of words and enriching literacy instruction.

Show Notes
Literacy Leaders

• Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert
• Dr. Hugh Catts
• David Share
• William S. Gray
• Edward Fry
• Paul Hanna

Resources

• Text Project website
• Teaching Words and How They Work (book)
• Eight Days a Week (The Beatles)

Build Your Literacy Lexicon

• polysemous: having multiple meanings.

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