Reading Teachers Lounge

In this special episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon and Mary have an engaging and insightful conversation with acclaimed children's author Kate DiCamillo about treasured stories. They explore Kate's journey as a writer, discussing the profound impact of her debut novel 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' the themes of her books, and the role of animals in her stories. Kate shares her thoughts on writing with empathy, the importance of ending stories with hope, and the joy of reading aloud. Highlights include listener questions about vocabulary development and character inspirations, and Kate's reflections on the magical connection formed between readers and stories.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1.  Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
2. Kate DiCamillo's website
3. Contact Kate via Candlewick Press
   
   Kate DiCamillo
   c/o Candlewick Press
   99 Dover Street
   Somerville, MA 02144
4. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
5. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
6. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
8. Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
9. Facebook page for Kate DiCamillo
10. Story resources for teachers
11. Mercy Watson Books by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
12. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
13. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
14. our 6.16 Delightful Word Learning episode
15. Bookworms reading curriculum

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Shannon and Mary kick off the new season with reflections on how far the podcast has come, from family anecdotes to stories of former students thriving—like Rigby, a once-struggling reader now headed to college. They share practical tips for using Canva to teach morphology, highlight successes from their summer tutoring, and discuss balancing work, rest, and family life. Additionally, they unveil exciting plans to feature more teacher voices in the show through their bonus episodes, available to all subscribers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1. Mary's husband's band Cherokee Ave Project
2. Google form for teacher guests
3. Marie Foley Visuals Morphology class
4. Geodes decodables
5. Handwriting Without Tears
6. Bookworms
7. Amplify CKLA
8. Blossom & Root

• Buy us a coffee
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

Support the show

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Buy us a coffee
• Get a FREE Green Chef box using our link

Shannon and Mary kick off the new season with reflections on how far the podcast has come, from family anecdotes to stories of former students thriving—like Rigby, a once-struggling reader now headed to college. They share practical tips for using Canva to teach morphology, highlight successes from summer tutoring, and chat about balancing work, rest, and family life. Plus, they reveal exciting plans for bringing more teacher voices into the show through their bonus episodes available to all subscribers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

1. Mary's husband's band Cherokee Ave Project
2. Google form for teacher guests
3. Marie Foley Visuals Morphology class
4. Geodes decodables
5. Handwriting Without Tears
6. Bookworms
7. Amplify CKLA
8. Blossom & Root

• Buy us a coffee
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

In this August bonus episode of Reading Teacher Lounge, Mary and Shannon exchange insights on recent articles they've read. They dive into practical strategies for supporting students, especially those with ADHD. They discuss homework routines, communication between teachers and parents, and how to create structured homework environments. Mary shares guidelines from ADDitude and Edutopia on effective homework systems and collaboration between special education and general education teams. Shannon highlights a thought-provoking article from The Atlantic about Lucy Calkins' impact on the reading crisis, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches and critical thinking in education. The episode concludes with helpful resources for teachers and parents.

00:00 Welcome to Reading Teacher Lounge

00:32 Diving into Advocacy and Action Items

01:34 ADHD Homework Strategies

05:46 Setting Up Homework Routines

13:34 Facilitating Collaboration in Special Education

19:23 Connecting with the Team Throughout the Year

19:55 Implementing the UFLI Curriculum

20:20 Functional Assessments and Monthly Check-ins

20:59 Advocacy Meetings and Solution-Oriented Approaches

21:27 Gamifying Literacy with Edutopia

23:34 The Atlantic Article on Lucy Calkins

32:10 Letters from Teachers on Reading Instruction

37:35 Subscription Hacks for Accessing Articles

39:31 Final Thoughts and Season Eight Preview

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Rief, Sandra, M.A., and ADDitude Editors. “The ADHD Homework System We Swear By.” ADDitude Magazine (updated online June 19, 2025).
2. FREE ADHD Resource: Solve Your Child's Homework Problems
3. Ellison, Samantha. “4 Strategies to Facilitate Collaboration Across Special Education Teams.” Edutopia, 7 Aug. 2025
4. “3 Games to Amp Up Reading Instruction.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 25 July 2025
5. Lewis, Helen. “How One Woman Became the Scapegoat for America’s Reading Crisis.” The Atlantic, December 2024 issue (published online November 13, 2024).
6. “ ‘There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Reading Instruction’ — Readers respond to our December 2024 issue and more.” The Atlantic, March 2025 issue (published online February 18, 2025).
7. Reading Team episode 7.6
8. Engagement episode 7.12

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

In this July 2025 Bonus episode of the podcast, Shannon and Mary explore Hugh Catts's article from American Educator about rethinking how to promote reading comprehension.   In this episode, we break down Hugh Katz’s summary from research and trends in the field.  We chat about how he shows that comprehension depends on interconnected knowledge and skills. We also touch on some additional points in Catts's article:   how traditional skills-based instruction falls short and how better-aligned assessments can transform comprehension outcomes. Listen to learn why background knowledge, academic language, and content-rich curricula are essential for student success. 

Catts, Hugh W. "Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension." ​ American Educator, February 2015. ​

LINKS TO THE RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE:

1. Open Source link to: Catts, Hugh W. "Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension." ​ American Educator, February 2015. ​
2. RISE:  Readiness through Integrative Science and Engineering
3. Disciplinary Literacy
4. Wit & Wisdom curriculum
5. CKLA curriculum
6. Model of Reading Engagement
7. Date Your Data episode from Season 6
8. Reading Universe
9. Read Works
10. LEAP 2025 Humanities: link 1
11. LEAP 2025 Humanities: link 2

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

Shannon and Mary look back over Season 7 and reflect on what really matters for our reading students.   "The right things for our learners" emerged as the unofficial theme of our seventh season. This phrase encapsulates what each of us strives for – cutting through the noise to identify the most impactful practices for the unique students in front of us.

The conversations with our guests this season revealed a common thread: the need to simplify and focus on what's most important. In this episode, Shannon and Mary share some of their key takeaways from the discussions with the podcast guests over the course of the season.  They also provide details about the professional learning they've done over the past year,  changes they've made in their own teaching practices, and new resources they're using with their students.  

We want to hear from YOU in Season 8! If you're interested in joining us as a guest to discuss real classroom experiences, email us at [email protected] or reach out through our social media handle @ReadingTeachersLounge

LINKS FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Magic School AI
2. Chat GPT (Mary uses for decodables)
3. Dyslexia GA DOE resources
4. Season 7 overall link
5. SWI resouces
6. Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide *Amazon affiliate link
7. All About Spelling
8. Spelling for Life by Lyn Stone *Amazon affiliate link

• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

Support the show

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Buy us a coffee
• Get a FREE Green Chef box using our link

Shannon and Mary look back over Season 7 and reflect on what really matters for our reading students.   "The right things for our learners" emerged as the unofficial theme of our seventh season. This phrase encapsulates what each of us strives for – cutting through the noise to identify the most impactful practices for the unique students in front of us.

The conversations with our guests this season revealed a common thread: the need to simplify and focus on what's most important. In this episode, Shannon and Mary share some of their key takeaways from the discussions with the podcast guests over the course of the season.  They also provide details about the professional learning they've done over the past year,  changes they've made in their own teaching practices, and new resources they're using with their students.  

We want to hear from YOU in Season 8! If you're interested in joining us as a guest to discuss real classroom experiences, email us at [email protected] or reach out through our social media handle @ReadingTeachersLounge

LINKS FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Magic School AI
2. Chat GPT (Mary uses for decodables)
3. Dyslexia GA DOE resources
4. Season 7 overall link
5. SWI resouces
6. Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide *Amazon affiliate link
7. All About Spelling
8. Spelling for Life by Lyn Stone *Amazon affiliate link

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Katie Pace-Miles about MTSS and RTI, sharing practical tips for delivering effective reading interventions, choosing quality resources, and running efficient team meetings to support struggling readers.   Whether you're a classroom teacher trying to support struggling readers, a specialist designing intervention programs, or a parent advocating for your child, this conversation provides clear, actionable guidance for making literacy interventions both manageable and truly impactful.

LINKS FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Easy CBM
2. Making Words Stick by Katie Pace Miles and Molly Ness *Amazon affiliate link*
3. our episode with Molly Ness from Season 6
4. overview of MTSS/RTI from understood.org
5. meeting norms
6. FCRR Fast Phrases
7. Wrights Law
8. Caregiver Guide from Katie Pace Miles
9. Letter Knowledge Guide from Katie Pace Miles
10. The Reading Institute website
11. The Reading Institute on IG
12. The Reading Institute (LinkedIn)
13. The Reading Institute (Facebook)
14. Katie Pace Miles' website
15. Connect with Katie through LinkedIn
16. Find Katie on IG
17. McGraw Hill Science of Literacy Library:
    A free resource hub containing blogs, videos, research reports, and more— designed to connect teachers with practical classroom resources and Professional Learning tips.

• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Free Rubrics Guide created by us
• Finding Good Books Guide created by us

Support the show

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon
• Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app
• Bonus episodes access through Patreon
• Buy us a coffee
• Get a FREE Green Chef box using our link

Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Katie Pace-Miles about MTSS and RTI, sharing practical tips for delivering effective reading interventions, choosing quality resources, and running efficient team meetings to support struggling readers.   Whether you're a classroom teacher trying to support struggling readers, a specialist designing intervention programs, or a parent advocating for your child, this conversation provides clear, actionable guidance for making literacy interventions both manageable and truly impactful.

LINKS FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1. Easy CBM
2. Making Words Stick by Katie Pace Miles and Molly Ness *Amazon affiliate link*
3. our episode with Molly Ness from Season 6
4. overview of MTSS/RTI from understood.org
5. meeting norms
6. FCRR Fast Phrases
7. Wrights Law
8. Caregiver Guide from Katie Pace Miles
9. Letter Knowledge Guide from Katie Pace Miles
10. The Reading Institute website
11. The Reading Institute on IG
12. The Reading Institute (LinkedIn)
13. The Reading Institute (Facebook)
14. Katie Pace Miles' website
15. Connect with Katie through LinkedIn
16. Find Katie on IG
17. McGraw Hill Science of Literacy Library:
    A free resource hub containing blogs, videos, research reports, and more— designed to connect teachers with practical classroom resources and Professional Learning tips.

• Get Literacy Support through our Patreon

For the June 2025 bonus episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge podcast,    Shannon and Mary discuss the article "Lost in Translation? Challenges in Connecting Reading Science and Educational Practice"  by Seidenberg, Borkenhagen, and Kearns.
The article explores why the science of reading often fails to transform into successful instruction. The most significant gap is what the authors refer to as "translational research," which explicitly connects laboratory findings to practical classroom applications. Looking toward solutions, we discuss the authors' recommendations for cross-disciplinary collaborations, developing a true science of teaching, avoiding a narrow focus on phonics, investing in early learning, ensuring research applies to diverse populations, and examining existing instructional systems.

Join us in understanding why teachers have struggled with conflicting directives and why it's not their fault they've had to piece together approaches without clear, research-based guidance. The goal isn't "balanced literacy" but "balanced learning"—providing each student exactly what they need, when they need it.


Seidenberg, M. S., Borkenhagen, M. C., & Kearns, D. M. (2020). Lost in Translation? Challenges in Connecting Reading Science and Educational Practice. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1), S119–S130.

LINK TO OPEN-SOURCE RESEARCH ARTICLE:

Lost in Translation?  Challenges in Connecting Reading Science and Educational Practice by Mark Seidenberg, Matt Cooper Borkenhagen, and Devin Kearns (2020 ILA Reading Research Quarterly)

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