Elevating Reading Skills: Strategies for 3rd-5th Grade Classrooms with Dr. Laura Tortorelli

In this invigorating episode of our podcast, we've had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Laura Tortorelli, an esteemed associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Known for her profound scholarship that delves into the realms of how and who teachers teach, Dr. Tortorelli's focus on bridging the gap between research and practice in reading education is nothing short of inspiring. With her research grounded in developmental perspectives and critical quantitative inquiry, she investigates the various tests, texts, and technological tools that shape reading instruction in elementary classrooms, particularly focusing on the impact these elements have on children labeled as struggling readers. Her accolades include multiple awards and publications in various reading journals, reflecting her active involvement in literacy initiatives across Michigan.During the podcast, Dr. Tortorelli shared insights into her journey from a creative writing enthusiast to an educator passionately committed to teaching reading. Her story began with a love for reading, which initially led her to pursue creative writing. However, her experience teaching creative writing to young children revealed to her the fundamental importance of reading in education. This realization prompted her to shift her focus and pursue a degree in teaching reading, driven by the desire to empower children with the tools to access enriching literature. Dr. Tortorelli's experience underscores the intricate relationship between reading and writing, highlighting how each skill enriches the other. Her commitment to improving reading fluency and comprehension in children, particularly in the context of informational texts, stands out as a testament to her dedication to fostering a generation of proficient and enthusiastic readers.Timestamps00:00 Teaching kids poetry, emphasizing the importance of reading.05:54 Children need practice to develop reading fluency.06:48 Repeated reading with purpose improves reading skills.10:16 Support in fluency through various reading strategies.16:06 Reading and writing together benefit fluency and skills.19:54 Sentence frames depend on your writing goal.23:10 Children may substitute words when reading.26:52 Integrate language skills for better reading comprehension.29:14 Ensure high-quality, structured phonics instruction with practice.Connect with Dr. Laura TortorelliLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-tortorelli-1b046619Website: https://education.msu.edu/people/Tortorelli-Laura/