Teaching Literacy Podcast

In this episode I sit down with the SRI Education research team—Dr. Dan Reynolds, Dr. Anna Jennerjohn, and Dr. Sara Rutherford-Quach—to unpack their learning brief, Beyond the Surface. This episode explores the gap between using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and achieving deep, robust reading comprehension. Read the Brief Here: https://www.sri.com/publication/education-learning-pubs/beyond-the-surface-leveraging-high-quality-instructional-materials-for-robust-reading-comprehension/ Quick Summary: Actionable advice for coaches and school leaders to build systems that support genuine meaning-making in the classroom. The Study: Analyzed 111 comprehension lessons across districts with mature HQIM implementation and surveyed 500+ teachers. The Central Finding: While HQIM was consistently used, 64% of lessons focused only on surface-level objectives (completing tasks) rather than robust comprehension (building a mental model). Episode Highlights: Defining the crucial distinction between Surface and Robust comprehension. Introducing the 6 high-leverage instructional practices that move the needle toward deep understanding. Timestamps[0:00] – Teaser: Surface vs. Robust Comprehension [0:16] – Introduction & episode overview; Jake introduces the HQIM landscape [1:29] – Introducing the guests and their learning brief: Beyond the Surface [2:43] – What is HQIM and why has the term taken off so quickly? [4:46] – Background on the study: Schusterman Family Philanthropies partnership and why SRI undertook this observational research [7:14] – Why studying mature implementation matters — districts where HQIM had been in place for several years [9:34] – Defining surface-level comprehension vs. robust comprehension [20:58] – How the data was collected: 111 classroom observations, 500+ teacher surveys, 100+ interviews, 62 PLCs observed [25:10] – Finding #1: Teachers were using their HQIM consistently (72–89% daily or almost daily) [21:26] – Finding #2: High floor established — 98% of lessons had a comprehension purpose; but 64% of lessons set only surface-level goals [26:06] – The “voltage drop”: how robust lessons erode [29:57] – The six high-leverage practices for robust comprehension: [30:11] Practice 1: Engaging students in text-specific analysis[33:29] Practice 2: Activating and leveraging prior knowledge[36:10] Practice 3: Explaining and modeling meaning-making[38:48] Practice 4: Providing instructional feedback[40:36] Practice 5: Providing opportunities for text-based reasoning[41:59] Practice 6: Setting up peer learning opportunities[44:25] – What surface-level instruction looks like in practice [47:37] – It’s not a checklist: how the six practices can serve surface OR robust ends [48:56] – Three action steps for coaches and school leaders:[56:07] – Walkthrough tools and their limitations: why you can’t see robust comprehension in a 5-minute walkthrough [1:00:28] – Jake’s curveball: How do standards interact with comprehension instruction? (The PLC/Norse mythology example) [1:06:05] – Student engagement in robust vs. surface lessons — the House on Mango Street discussion example [1:04:12] – What’s next: upcoming SRI briefs on foundational skills, multilingual learners, and knowledge-building [1:10:17] – Optimism for the future of literacy: teachers hungry for the “how,” and a push toward more honest comprehension assessment [1:14:25] – Jake’s Take: Reflections on HQIM as an “instructional floor,” why all three gears must turn (content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, curriculum knowledge), and a simple habit for keeping comprehension instruction tethered to meaning-making [1:30:30] – Closing

This is a rebroadcast of Episode 245 from the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast – you can check out that episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/read-like-us-building-fluency-through-repeated-reading/id1463219123?i=1000748503901Make sure to check out the Literacy.io training on the Kat Framework for Comprehension this June!-June 24-25 in East Lansing Michigan-Individual registration available at: https://tamu.estore.flywire.com/products/cusp—the-reading-leagueliteracy10-participant-registration–412940-Group registration available at: https://tamu.estore.flywire.com/products/cusp—the-reading-leagueliteracy10-group-participant-registration–412945-More information available at literacy.io/contact Show Notes2:30 – What is Read Like Us? Overview of the five-step repeated reading protocol How it supports accuracy, automaticity, and prosody 4:10 – The Five Reads Explained Listening passage preview Echo reading Choral reading Partner reading Performance/independent reading 6:00 – Implementation in Classrooms Can it work in whole group settings? Small group intervention applications Working with paraprofessionals and volunteers 10:00 – Maximizing Reading Time Why 90% of intervention time should be actual reading The workout approach to building fluency Ensuring students are actually reading (not just holding books) 12:53 – How Read Like Us Differs from Traditional Approaches More than just “read three times and check for speed” Building all three components of fluency simultaneously The role of modeling and scaffolding 15:00 – Gradual Release of Responsibility Transferring task responsibility to students Why rate/speed wasn’t emphasized in coaching Automaticity as the outcome, not the input 18:00 – Prosody and Comprehension Expression as an indicator of understanding Using the Rasinski multidimensional fluency rubric Rotating focus areas: expression, phrasing, smoothness, pace 20:00 – Study Results Fourth grade students: 16.5 WPM growth in 50 days Effect size of 0.9 Improvements in accuracy, vocabulary, and comprehension measures 22:30 – Potential Comprehension Enhancement Adding a 10-word takeaway or gist statement Keeping it “fluency heavy, comprehension light” Future iterations of the protocol 25:30 – The Stacking Protocol Approach Learning from dissertation chair Dr. Kit Moore Combining multiple evidence-based practices Weaving the reading rope together 27:30 – Cost and Accessibility Read Like Us is free to implement Comparison with commercial tier-two interventions Open access article available 28:48 – Text Selection Philosophy The month-long process of curating 50 texts Using challenging and engaging content (100-200 words) Types included: giggle poetry, science facts, short stories with twists, weird state laws 30:30 – The “Challenging Text” Debate Using texts above grade level with proper scaffolding Addressing the 1960s neurological impress research Why modern research supports stretching students 33:17 – Texts Students Actually Want to Read Students asking to take intervention texts home Incorporating core reading program texts for continuity Balance between practical and engaging content 36:00 – Lexile Levels and Text Complexity Many texts in 6th-8th grade Lexile range for 3rd-4th graders Testing the hypothesis: Can struggling readers succeed in harder texts? Being “level agnostic” in text selection 39:00 – Rethinking Leveled Texts Limitations of the Lexile formula Starting with engaging content, not filter levels The scaffolding makes the difference, not the exact level 42:00 – Student Motivation and Text Choice Chase’s son reading adult-level joke books in first grade The power of “want to” over prescribed levels Teacher control vs. student self-selection 43:00 – Repeated Reading vs. Wide Reading Defining both approaches Why they shouldn’t be pitted against each other Read Like Us = repeated reading across wide array of texts 46:30 – Wide Reading and Teacher Control Students won’t achieve wide reading through self-selection alone The teacher’s role in exposing students to diverse genres Balancing instruction with student choice 48:00 – Benefits of Wide Reading Exposure to different language patterns across genres Informational vs. narrative text structures Building terrain navigation skills with various text types 49:00 – Getting Started with Read Like Us Start with tomorrow’s text Find the 200-300 word section with the most “oomph” Use what you already have in your classroom 50:21 – Closing Where to find the protocol and resources Final thoughts and wrap-up

In this episode we welcome Dr. Sharon Walpole, a professor at the University of Delaware. We explore the challenges teachers face in addressing varying student needs, Dr. Walpole’s pragmatic approach to differentiation, and the developmental roadmap for reading proficiency. Dr. Walpole shares insights on the importance of grade-level instruction, the flaws of certain assessment systems, and practical classroom applications. Make sure to check out Dr. Walpole’s books with Guilford Press! https://www.guilford.com/author/Sharon-Walpole00:00 Introduction to Differentiation01:03 Meet Dr. Sharon Walpole02:15 Defining Differentiation03:23 Acceleration vs. Remediation04:45 Pragmatic Approaches to Differentiation08:03 Challenges with Guided Reading16:46 The Science of Reading and Differentiation23:51 The Stairway to Proficiency Model35:47 Maximizing Instructional Impact36:03 The Importance of Dosage in Education36:38 Resources for Differentiated Reading Instruction37:35 Grouping Students for Effective Learning40:20 Aligning Small Group and Whole Group Instruction48:57 Tiered Instruction: Strategies and Misconceptions56:40 Effective Use of Paraprofessionals01:01:32 Curriculum and Instructional Materials01:03:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Teaching Literacy Podcast, host Jake Downs discusses with Dr. Michael Coyne from the University of Connecticut the concept of advanced phonemic awareness and its implications for early reading proficiency. Dr. Coyne shares findings from his recent study that examines the impact of using oral-only advanced phonemic awareness instruction on first graders. They explore the theoretical underpinnings, practical recommendations for teachers, and the overall relevance of these findings to classroom practice. Tune in to understand the nuanced debate around advanced phonemic awareness and its role in effective literacy instruction. 00:00 Introduction to Advanced Phonemic Awareness01:33 Guest Introduction: Dr. Michael Coyne02:25 Defining Phonological and Phonemic Awareness06:29 Research on Phonemic Awareness10:04 Advanced Phonemic Awareness: Concepts and Tasks12:17 Theoretical Underpinnings and Critiques20:21 Study Overview: Curriculum and Implementation26:55 Study Design and Measures29:44 Evaluating Phonemic Awareness Instruction30:46 Study Results: Phonemic Awareness Outcomes32:54 Near Transfer Outcomes: Word Reading and Fluency34:53 Exploring Differential Benefits37:39 Recommendations for Phonemic Awareness Instruction42:17 Balancing Oral and Integrated Phonemic Awareness Activities50:15 Optimism in Literacy Research and Instruction52:29 Jake’s Take on Teaching Phonemic AwarenessReference:Coyne, M. D., McCoach, D. B., Santoro, L. E., Gentile, M., Rodrigues, C., & Kastner, P. (2025). The Effects of Advanced Phonemic Awareness Instruction in First Grade. The Elementary School Journal, 000–000. https://doi.org/10.1086/737952

How can we best apply the Science of Reading to support multilingual learners? This episode tackles that critical question with Dr. Steven Amendum from the University of Delaware.We explore how evidence-based literacy instruction must leverage a student’s first language as a key asset, not a barrier. Dr. Amendum breaks down practical teaching strategies to boost decoding and reading comprehension for bilingual and multilingual students in diverse classrooms.You’ll also learn how to build effective collaboration between classroom teachers and language specialists and hear about the research-demonstrated impact of the Bella professional learning program. If you’re looking for actionable, research-driven approaches to support your English learners, this episode is a must-listen. 00:00 – Introduction and overview of the episode02:07 – Current support and challenges for multilingual learners in schools04:29 – State vs. federal roles and legislation for multilingual learners06:49 – Key research: Importance of first language (L1) in English reading development09:21 – Cross-linguistic transfer and leveraging home language as an asset11:09 – Oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies in L1 and L213:44 – Practical strategies for teachers: supporting students without knowing their L117:30 – Previewing text language and other evidence-based practices21:28 – Benefits of these strategies for all students23:00 – Decoding, fluency, and phonological awareness across languages25:54 – Instructional strategies: Blend as you go & Say it, move it34:29 – Peer support and collaborative learning36:10 – Effective teacher collaboration and professional learning41:00 – Evidence of impact: Bella program and student outcomes44:35 – Final thoughts and optimism for literacy research46:18 – Jake’s TakeReference:Kittle, J. M., Amendum, S. J., & Budde, C. M. (2024). What Does Research Say About the Science of Reading for K-5 Multilingual Learners? A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews. Educational Psychology Review, 36(4), 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09942-6

In episode 69 of the Teaching Literacy Podcast, host Jake Downs speaks with Dr. Kay Wijekumar, Houston Endowed Chair in the Department of Teaching and Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University. They discuss the importance of teaching students to generate rather than find the main idea in texts, detailing Dr. Wijekumar’s evidence-based KAT framework (Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation). The episode delves into how the main idea is foundational for reading comprehension and explores practical strategies for teachers, touching on the inefficacies of current curricular practices. Dr. Wijekumar highlights her website, literacy.io, which offers resources and professional development for educators. The conversation also includes a discussion on the critical role of text structures, and how principals and coaches can support teachers in implementing these strategies effectively. 00:00 Show Opening02:23 Literacy as a Civil Right04:47 Literacy.io: A Resource for Teachers08:48 Challenges in Identifying the Main Idea12:10 Generating vs. Finding the Main Idea15:49 Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation (KAT) Framework25:11 Text Structure and Main Idea34:15 Cause, Problem, Solution Text Structure35:59 Identifying Causes and Solutions in Education38:59 The KAT Framework: Knowledge, Acquisition, and Transformation40:31 Implementing the KAT Framework in Classrooms41:37 Scaffolding and Sentence Stems for Effective Learning49:03 Inference Questions and Background Knowledge01:00:59 Teachers and Coaches: Improving Main Idea Identification01:07:55 Conclusion and Optimism for Literacy Instruction01:10:40 Jake’s Take: What Matters Most? ReferencesHudson, A. K., Owens, J., Moore, K. A., Lambright, K., & Wijekumar, K. (2021). “What’s the Main Idea?”: Using Text Structure to Build Comprehension. The Reading Teacher, 75(1), 113–118. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2016Rice, M., & Wijekumar, K. (2024). Inference skills for reading: A meta-analysis of instructional practices. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(4), 569–589. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000855Rice, M., Wijekumar, K. (Kay), Lambright, K., & Stack, A. (2024). Promoting Inference Generation: Using Questioning and Strategy Instruction to Support Upper Elementary Students. The Reading Teacher, 78(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2353Wijekumar, K., Beerwinkle, A., McKeown, D., Zhang, S., & Joshi, R. M. (2020). The “GIST” of the reading comprehension problem in grades 4 and 5. Dyslexia, 26(3), 323–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1647Wijekumar, K., Hudson, A., Lambright, K., Owens, J. K., Binks-Cantrell, E., Beerwinkle, A., & Stack, A. (2023). Knowledge acquisition and transformation (KAT) using text structures. The Reading League Journal.

Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller and Dr. Eunsoo Cho discuss building a strategic assessment system in literacy education. They cover how to use data to inform reading instruction, the difference between screeners, diagnostics, curriculum based measures, and computer adaptive tests, and the importance of reliability in assessments. Common pitfalls like over-testing and teaching to the test are addressed, along with practical advice for setting up a coherent and actionable assessment framework in schools. Show Documents:Michigan Department of Education (2020). Early literacy assessment systems that support learning. Lansing, MI: Authors. https://www.michiganassessmentconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/ELAS_Guide_2020_v5.pdfTruckenmiller, A. J., Cho, E., Bourgeois, S., & Friedman, E. (2024). Uses and Misuses of Commercial Reading Assessment: An Applied Framework for Decision Making in Grades K through 6. The Reading Teacher, 77(5), 609–623. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2274Truckenmiller, A., Coyne, M., Valentine, K., & Moura, P. (2025). Independent Researcher Review of Commercial Reading Screening Assessment Suites May 2025. https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/vrn3g_v1 00:00 Introduction and Welcome02:36 The Importance of a Strategic Assessment System05:25 Different Stakeholders, Different Data Needs09:50 Assessment of Learning vs. Assessment for Learning13:31 The Myth of the One Perfect Assessment17:18 Understanding Screener, Diagnostic, and Progress Monitoring Assessments28:26 CBM vs. CAT: Formats of Assessment34:42 Accuracy in Assessment: Sensitivity and Specificity38:05 Balancing Sensitivity and Specificity in Assessments39:22 Importance of Reliable Assessments40:40 Challenges of Over and Under Identification45:12 Informal Reading Inventories: Pros and Cons46:14 Modern Assessments and Their Advantages54:48 Common Pitfalls in Data Usage57:15 Over Testing and Its Implications01:00:35 Teaching to the Test: A Critical Look01:06:24 Building a Coherent Assessment System01:13:55 Optimism for the Future of Literacy Research

Guest host Dr. Kristin Conradi Smith interviews Dr. Jake Downs about the ‘secret soup’ of highly effective K-2 teacher teams. Link to Jake’s Study: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/2/259 Downs, J., Martz, K., & Mohr, K. (2025). Exploring the Instructional Effectiveness of High-Growth K-2 Teacher Teams in Foundational Reading. Education Sciences, 15(2), https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020259 Link to ULEAD Report: https://schools.utah.gov/ulead/uleadfiles/reports/ipr/Instructional%20Clarity%20Early%20Lit%20IPR.pdf Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6 Episode Outline & Show Notes 00:00 — Host Introduction & Listener Call-to-ActionJake asks listeners for impact statements to support his third-year review. 01:23 — Guest Host IntroductionKristin Conradi Smith introduces herself and the episode’s focus on effective K-2 teacher teams. 01:44 — Introducing Jake & Study OverviewKristin introduces Jake as the guest, outlines his research on high-growth teacher teams. 02:20 — Defining Teacher EffectivenessJake discusses different ways to define “effectiveness” and the study’s focus on student growth. 04:07 — Why Study Teams?Jake explains the importance of studying effective teams, not just individual teachers. 06:32 — District BackgroundJake describes the “Lincoln School District,” its shift in reading instruction, and its reputation for growth. 09:00 — Study Methods: Quantitative DataJake explains how teams were identified using ACADIS data and effect sizes. 11:32 — Student Growth ResultsJake shares impressive proficiency gains by grade level and discusses effect sizes. 13:43 — Mixed Methods & Qualitative InterviewsTransition to focus group interviews with teacher teams and how themes were identified. 16:36 — Theme 1: CollaborationTeams engage in active, data-driven collaborative planning and shared student ownership. 21:23 — Theme 2: Affordances for InstructionTeachers describe autonomy, flexibility, and supportive professional development. 28:59 — Theme 3: Data Practices & Goal SettingRegular data meetings, intentional goal setting at team/class/student levels, and actionable use of data. 41:29 — Theme 4: Teacher FactorsDiscussion of teacher knowledge, beliefs, and collective efficacy. 44:57 — Key Takeaways & ReflectionsJake and Kristin reflect on the “secret soup” of effective teams, the importance of systems, and actionable insights for schools. 53:21 — Assessment & Goal Setting in PracticeHow effective teams use assessment and goal setting to drive instruction. 57:20 — Teacher DevelopmentThe value of both top-down and bottom-up professional learning. 1:00:26 — Final Thoughts & OptimismJake and Kristin discuss optimism for the future of reading research and practice. 1:04:02 — Closing & Kristin’s TakeKristin summarizes the study’s impact and calls for more collaborative, teacher-centered research.

Melissa and Lori invited Jake to discuss Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT) — Listen to the episode here!Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6

Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6 In this episode, host Jake Downs welcomes guest Dr. Freddy Hebert, a renowned literacy researcher, CEO/Founder of TextProject. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of automaticity, the core vocabulary, reading volume, and shifts in text complexity over the decades. They also dive into how teachers can better support students’ reading proficiency, particularly in early grades, and discuss actionable strategies for educators. The episode concludes with reflections on the current state and future of reading research and instruction. Link to TopicReads at TextProject: https://textproject.org/teachers/free-texts/topicreads-primary/ Link to figures mentioned by Dr. Hiebert: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m36jgp8Dt055UrdEa73IQAFES7PPemc_/view Figure 1 shows the reading accuracy by percentile in grades 1-8. Figure 2 shows the ratio of rare words from core reading programs 1957-2014. Episode Overview01:51 Welcome to the Teaching Literacy Podcast02:28 Introduction to Reading Automaticity03:36 Defining and Understanding Reading Automaticity08:10 Core Vocabulary and Its Importance11:28 Challenges with Rare Words and Proper Names19:29 Implications for Teaching and Curriculum Design31:00 Introduction to TextProject.org31:21 The Importance of Reading Volume32:19 Engaging Students with Texts33:15 Statistical Learning and Vocabulary39:56 Challenges in Reading Programs46:15 Third Grade Reading Emphasis48:58 Complexities of English Orthography54:26 Optimism in Reading Research56:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jake interviews Dr. Steve Graham of the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6

Dr. Phil Capin joins the show to discuss 40 years of reading comprehension instruction. References: Capin, P., Dahl-Leonard, K., Hall, C., Yoon, N. Y., Cho, E., Chatzoglou, E., Reiley, S., Walker, M., Shanahan, E., Andress, T., & Vaughn, S. (2024). Reading Comprehension Instruction: Evaluating Our Progress Since Durkin’s Seminal Study. Scientific Studies of Reading, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2024.2418582 What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides Mentioned by Dr. Capin Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices: Kamil, M. L., Borman, G. D., Dole, J., Kral, C. C., Salinger, T., & Torgesen, J. (2008). Improving adolescent literacy: Effective classroom and intervention practices: A practice Guide (NCEE #2008-4027). National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/docs/practiceguide/adlit_pg_082608.pdf Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade: Shanahan, T., Callison, K., Carriere, C., Duke, N. K., Pearson, P. D., Schatschneider, C., & Torgesen, J. (2010). Improving reading comprehension in kindergarten through 3rd grade: A practice guide. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Available at https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED512029.pdf Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Grades K–3: Foorman, B., Beyler, N., Borradaile, K., Coyne, M., Denton, C. A., Dimino, J., Furgeson, J., Hayes, L., Henke, J., Justice, L., Keating, B., Lewis, W., Sattar, S., Streke, A., Wagner, R., & Wissel, S. (2016). Foundational skills to support reading for understanding in kindergarten through 3rd grade (NCEE 2016-4008). National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/practiceGuide/wwc_foundationalreading_040717.pdf Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4–9: Vaughn, S., Gersten, R., Dimino, J., Taylor, M. J., Newman-Gonchar, R., Krowka, S., Kieffer, M. J., McKeown, M., Reed, D., Sanchez, M., St. Martin, K., Wexler, J., Morgan, S., Yañez, A., & Jayanthi, M. (2022). Providing reading interventions for students in grades 4–9 (WWC 2022007). National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/Docs/PracticeGuide/WWC-practice-guide-reading-intervention-full-text.pdf

Jake Downs talks with Dr. Blythe Anderson and Dr. John Strong about effective summer tutoring programs to prevent the summer slide in elementary reading. They discuss strategies such as small-group tutoring, differentiated instruction, and interactive read-alouds, based on multi-year research that shows significant gains in vocabulary, reading fluency, and foundational skills. The episode emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in summer programs, with implications for school-year instruction. 02:07 Understanding the Summer Slide02:54 Research on Summer School Programs07:00 Designing Effective Summer Tutoring Programs08:46 Training and Implementation of Tutors12:16 Session Format and Instructional Strategies18:31 Assessment and Differentiation27:21 Year Three Results and Findings42:25 Program Evolution Over the Years48:48 Big Lessons Learned from Summer School Programs58:52 Final Thoughts and Optimism for Literacy Research

Host Dr. Jake Downs is joined by Dr. Katherine O’Donnell, an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah, to discuss her research on student outcomes in states following the implementation of science of reading legislation. 03:02 Historical Context: Reading First Era09:37 Mississippi’s Science of Reading Legislation17:02 Comparative Analysis of State Outcomes29:08 Impact on Special Education and ELL Students34:58 Implementation Takes Time39:48 Why Did the ‘Advanced’ Category on NAEP balloon?42:56 NAEP SOR Outcomes as ‘Matthew Effects’48:26 Jake’s Take Capitalizing on Advantages

Dr. Danielle Colenbrander joins the show to discuss the benefits of morphology instruction with students. Reference:Colenbrander, D., Von Hagen, A., Kohnen, S., Wegener, S., Ko, K., Beyersmann, E., Behzadnia, A., Parrila, R., & Castles, A. (2024). The Effects of Morphological Instruction on Literacy Outcomes for Children in English-Speaking Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 36(4), 119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09953-3

Dr. Cherish Sarmiento joins the show to talk about how fifth and eighth grade students use academic language in their writing. Importantly, we learn that words with seven or more letters may be one way to quickly identify academic words. Reference: Sarmiento, C. M., Truckenmiller, A. J., Cho, E., & Wang, H. (2024). Academic language use in middle school informational writing. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 00, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12724

In this episode, Jake is joined by Dr. Blythe Anderson to discuss her research with vocabulary instruction strategies. References: Anderson, B. E. (2024). Vocabulary Talk Moves: Using Language to Promote Word Learning. The Reading Teacher, 77(4), 439–452. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2263 Anderson, B. E., Wright, T. S., & Gotwals, A. W. (2023). Teachers’ Vocabulary Talk in Early-Elementary Science Instruction. Journal of Literacy Research, 55(1), 75–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086296X231163117

In this episode, Dr. Marianne Rice joins Jake to discuss the different types of inferences and how teachers can support their students in generating inferences to enhance comprehension. For more information, be sure to check out literacy.io References: Rice, M., Wijekumar, K., Lambright, K., & Bristow, A. (2023). Inferencing in Reading Comprehension: Examining Variations in Definition, Instruction, and Assessment. Technology, Knowledge and Learning. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-023-09660-y Rice, M., & Wijekumar, K. (2024). Inference skills for reading: A meta-analysis of instructional practices. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(4), 569–589. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000855 Rice, M., Wijekumar, K., Lambright, K., & Stack, A. (2024). Promoting Inference Generation: Using Questioning and Strategy Instruction to Support Upper Elementary Students. The Reading Teacher, 78(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2353

Utah Educators — let’s talk about fluency and comprehension!October 1 – Brigham CityOctober 7 – Salt Lake CityOctober 22 – St. GeorgeMake sure to sign up for both sessionsFluency: https://usbe.midaseducation.com/professional-development/courses/course/64621Comprehension: https://usbe.midaseducation.com/professional-development/courses/course/64623All sessions are free of charge and 7 relicensure hours will be credited for the full day.A big thanks to the Utah State Board of Education for facilitating these sessions.

In this episode, Drs. Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell join Jake to discuss their “Strive-for-Five Conversations” strategy for promoting oral language development through simple, serve and return style conversations in the classroom. References: Strive-for-Five Conversations, by Tricia Zucker & Sonia Cabell Cabell, S. Q., & Zucker, T. A. (2023). Using Strive‐for‐Five Conversations to Strengthen Language Comprehension in Preschool through Grade One. The Reading Teacher. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2266 ‌Zucker, T. A., Cabell, S. Q., Oh, Y., & Wang, X. (2020). Asking Questions Is Just the First Step: Using Upward and Downward Scaffolds. The Reading Teacher, 74(3), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1943 ‌Zucker, T. A., Cabell, S. Q., & Pico, D. L. (2021). Going Nuts for Words: Recommendations for Teaching Young Students Academic Vocabulary. The Reading Teacher, 74(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1967 ‌

In this episode Dr. Jake Downs joins us to talk about his research on Synchronous Paired Oral Reading techniques. Guest hosted by Dr. Chase Young. Reference: Downs, J., & Mohr, K. A. J. (2024). A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques in Elementary Classrooms. Literacy Research and Instruction, 0(0), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388071.2024.2319654 Downs, J., Mohr, K., & Young, C. (2023). A historical narrative review of paired oral reading practices in elementary classrooms. Journal of Research in Reading, 46(1), 42–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9817.12413 Downs, J. D. (2021). A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Paired Oral Reading Methods in Elementary Classrooms [Ph.D., Utah State University]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2566075613/abstract/467966ECF20D4340PQ/1

Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington join us on the show to discuss their recent book entitled “The Literacy 50: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night” available through Scholastic. In this episode we discuss Melissa and Lori’s experiences in the classroom, what led them to start a podcast, and what they’ve learned in over 200 episodes of the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast. So many great thoughts in this episode that you won’t want to miss! After you are done listening make sure to check out the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast and their book “The Literacy 50.”

My guests for this episode are here to discuss the role of dispositions, motivation, and agency within the classroom. Their names are Dr. Margaret Vaughn and Dr. Dixie Massey. Dr. Margaret Vaughn is a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Washington State University and Dr. Dixie Massey teaches at Seattle Pacific University. They are the authors of Overcoming Reading Challenges Kindergarten Through Middle School recently published by Peter Lang Press.

My guest today is here to talk to use about reading profiles and how to use them in your classroom. Her name is Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling and she is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Special Education at the Southern Connecticut State University. In this episode we talk about her recent book The Structured Literacy Planner published by Guildford Press.

You’ve probably heard about syntax. Maybe you’ve seen a slide in a presentation that showed a strand of rope labeled as syntax. Or perhaps you learned about sentence structure in school and completed assignments where you had to diagram sentences. But do we really know what syntax is, why it matters, and how to teach it? My guests today are here teach us about syntax. Their names are Dr. Rachel Knecht and Dr. Dianna Townsend. Rachel Knecht is a doctoral candidate at the University of Nevada-Reno. Her research focuses on supporting adolescents’ reading comprehension, particularly through metalinguistic development. Dianna Townsend is Professor of Literacy Studies in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nevada-Reno. Dr. Townsend researches the academic language development of adolescent students, specifically focusing on vocabulary, comprehension, and disciplinary texts. Plenty of take aways in this episode! Text Discussed in Episode: A famed pharaoh of the new period was Amenhotep IV, who triggered a religious revolution. Before Amenhotep’s rule, Egypt was a polytheistic society that believed in many gods, the most important named Amon. But, Amenhotep believed only in Aton, the sun god. Belief in only one god (monotheism) was a radical notion. To show his devotion to Aton, the pharaoh changed his name to Akenhaton (“he who is loyal to Aton”). Akenhaton moved his capital from Thebes, where Amon was worshiped, to Tell el Amanrna. References Knecht, R., Larson, L., & Townsend, D. (2023). Exploring teacher and student knowledge of sentence-level language features. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 66(6), 344–354. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.1290 Townsend, D., Knecht, R., Lupo, S., Chen, L.-T., & Barrios, V. S. (2023). A mixed-methods investigation of third and sixth graders’ academic sentence knowledge. Journal of World Languages, 9(3), 333–370. https://doi.org/10.1515/jwl-2023-0022

Teaching reading comprehension is a challenging task. There are many different aspects to teaching reading comprehension and doing it well is a feat. My guests for this episode are here to help us teach reading comprehension better. Their names are Kristin Conradi Smith, Tamara Williams, and Ellen Frackelton. In this episode we cover what the NRP reported about reading strategies, where the implementation of that research went awry, frameworks for the thinking about productive text comprehension instruction, and practices that can be used before, during and after reading to support student understanding of text. Kristen Conradi Smith is an associate professor in the School of Education at William & Mary. Tamara Williams is a clinical assistant professor at William & Mary, and Ellen Frackelton is a reading specialist in Williamsburg James City Schools in Williamsburg, Virginia. Reference: Conradi Smith, K., Williams, T. W., & Frackelton, E. P. (2024). “No More Strategy of the Week”: Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the Book. The Reading Teacher, 77(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2261

What is the relationship between teachers’ knowledge, belief, self-efficacy, and instructional practice? My guest today studied 34 rural teachers to learn more. Her name is Dr. Karen Kehoe and she is the Director of Dyslexia Services at the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia at Middle Tennessee State University.In this episode we discuss what the sample of teacher knew about teaching reading, how confident they felt about teaching reading, and the evidence-based practices exhibited in these classrooms. Lots to unpack with many important takeaways for the classroom! Reference:Kehoe, K. F., & McGinty, A. S. (2024). Exploring teachers’ reading knowledge, beliefs and instructional practice. Journal of Research in Reading, 47(1), 63–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9817.12440

The last few years, it seems everyone’s been talking about phonemic awareness – what works best, how to teach it right, and even how much of it students really need. Today, I’ve got two experts with me, Dr. Florina Erbeli and Dr. Marianne Rice, and they’ve been digging deep into these questions and more.Dr. Erbeli is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, and Dr. Marianne Rice just completed her PhD there.In this episode, we’re breaking down the findings from two recent meta-analyses these researchers did on phonemic awareness. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty – like, does it work better in big groups or small ones? Do those letters really matter when you’re teaching phonemic awareness? How much PA instruction do students really need? And, of course, we discuss deleting and substitution. Lots to unpack in this episode! References:Erbeli, F., Rice, M., Xu, Y., Bishop, M. E., & Goodrich, J. M. (2024). A Meta-Analysis on the Optimal Cumulative Dosage of Early Phonemic Awareness Instruction. Scientific Studies of Reading, 0(0), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2024.2309386Rice, M., Erbeli, F., Thompson, C. G., Sallese, M. R., & Fogarty, M. (2022). Phonemic Awareness: A Meta-Analysis for Planning Effective Instruction. Reading Research Quarterly, 57(4), 1259–1289. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.473

Welcome to another episode of TLP! In this episode, we discuss assessments— their cost, time, and accuracy. Two guests, Dr. Courtenay Barrett and Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller, partnered with a school to explore these questions. Dr. Barrett is an assistant professor in the school psychology program at Michigan State University, and Dr. Truckenmiller is an associate professor in special education at Michigan State, recently published a journal article comparing the costs and accuracy of different reading screening approaches in elementary schools. They collaborated with a school that used three assessments in third grade: the Star Assessment, Acadience Assessment, and Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. Their goal was to identify which assessment or combination best predicted outcomes on the end-of-year state assessment and determine the specific cutoff scores indicating passing. Additionally, they calculated the monetary and time costs for each assessment’s implementation. There is a lot to unpack in this episode!

2023 was a great year here at TLP. I am looking forward to an even better 2024. To kick things off I’ve prepared a special episode where I discuss my New Year’s resolution–thinking like a scientist. In this episode I describe what thinking like a scientist means, why it matters, and the three other frames of thought that often conflict with scientific thinking. I also provide examples of two prominent researchers–Dr. Nell Duke and Dr. Holly Lane–thinking like scientists. Link to Adam Grant on the Huberman podcast: https://youtu.be/3gtvNYa3Nd8 Link to Nell Duke on the Literacy View: https://youtu.be/5LCpLJVwAeo Link to Holly Lane on Melissa and Lori Love Literacy: https://youtu.be/R3ZZBb_Odr8

Dr. Evan Ortlieb joins us to discuss the 2023 edition of the What’s Hot in Literacy survey. This survey was started by Dr. Jack Cassidy in 1997 and is now conducted by Dr. Ortlieb and Dr. Stephanie Grote-Garcia. In this episode we discuss what was hot, what is recieving increased interest, and should be hot. Dr. Evan Ortlieb is dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at South Dakota State University. He also co-edited a recent volume entitled, Disciplinary Literacies: Unpacking Research, Theory, and Practice. We would love it if you consider sharing this episode from a colleague who would benefit and rate/review the show wherever you find this podcast.

Dr. Dana Robertson joins us to discuss his chapter “Explicit Instruction” in the book “Principles of Effective Literacy Instruction.” We discuss his evolution of thought around explicit instruction, how to balance engagement and being explicit, and discuss the how explicit instruction relates to the gradual release of responsibility. We would love it if you consider sharing this episode from a colleague who would benefit and rate/review the show wherever you find this podcast. Reference: Robertson, D. (2021). Explicit Instruction. In S. Parsons & M. Vaughn (Eds.) Principles of effective literacy instruction, Grades K-5 (pp. 136-149). Guilford Press.

Dr. Molly Ness joins us to discuss her recent book ‘Read Alouds for All Learners: A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK–8.’ In this episode we discuss the benefits, common misconceptions, steps for conducting a read aloud in your classroom and much more. Reference: Ness, M. (2023). Read Alouds for All Learners: A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK–8. Solution Tree.

Dr. Margaret Vaughn and Dr. Seth Parsons join us to discuss their recent book “Accelerating Learning Recovery for All Students: Core Principles for Getting Literacy Growth Back on Track.” We discuss a range of topics including schoolwide action teams, MTSS, partnering with communities, and much more. I always learn a great deal from these two scholars, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Reference: Vaughn, M., & Parsons, S. A. (2023). Accelerating Learning Recovery for All Students: Core Principles for Getting Literacy Growth Back on Track. Guilford Publications: New York, NY.

Welcome to a new school year! I hope your summer was fantastic. In this episode I share what I’ve been up to, a bit of history about the podcast, and where the show is going. Be sure to check it out!

Dr. Young-Suk Grace Kim joins us on this episode to discuss the Direct and Indirect Effects Model of Reading (DIER). DIER builds on and adds to other models of reading (i.e., SVR or Scarborough’s Rope). It encompasses a wide range of factors, including morphological awareness, text reading fluency, and higher-order cognitions, all integrated into a single framework. Additionally, the DIER model sheds light on the interrelations among these component skills, emphasizing hierarchical, interactive, and dynamic relationships. There is a lot to unpack in this episode and plenty of implications for instruction and assessment. Dr. Kim is a professor and senior associate Dean at the school of education, University of California at Irvine Link to DIER model to follow along: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-direct-and-indirect-effects-model-of-reading-DIER-Y-S-G-Kim-2020a-2020b_fig1_369830051 Reference: Kim, Y.S. (2023). Simplicity meets complexity expanding the simple view of reading with the direct and indirect effects model of reading. In S.Q. Cabell, S.B. Neuman, & N.P. Terry (Eds.), Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy. Guilford.

In this episode of TLP, I am thrilled to have Dr. Shayne Piasta on the show. Dr. Piasta is a listener-favorite from Episode 37 and is joining us to discuss alphabet instruction. Our conversation comes from an excellent chapter she wrote in the newly-released Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy (Cabell et al., 2023). If you enjoyed her insights from Episode 37 on early literacy, you won’t want to miss this interview. Dr. Piasta is is Professor of Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University Link to the Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy: https://www.guilford.com/books/Handbook-on-the-Science-of-Early-Literacy/Cabell-Neuman-Terry/9781462551545 Reference Piasta, S.B. (2023). The science of early alphabet instruction: What we do and do not know. In S.Q. Cabell, S.B. Neuman, & N.P. Terry (Eds.), Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy. Guilford.

Welcome to the show! In March 2022, the IES released a practice guide for teachers entitled “Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9” In this episode, I interview four of the panelists who wrote this guide–Dr. Deborah Reed, Dr. Jade Wexler, Dr. Kimberly St. Martin, and Dr. Joe Dimino. This episode is jam-packed of takeaways for your classroom and make sure to check out the guide, available in the show notes. Link to IES Practice Guide: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/PracticeGuide/WWC-practice-guide-reading-intervention-full-text.pdf Link to other IES Practice Guides: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Search/Products

Thanks for a great 2022! Looking forward to TLP in 2023! In this episode, I talk about alignment between preschool writing standards and early elementary writing standards in state that adopted the Common Core. My guest is Laura Tortorelli who is an assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Highlights include insight into how preschool are early writing standards are organized, what practices these standards emphasize, and what it all means for instruction. Reference: Tortorelli, L. S., Gerde, H. K., Rohloff, R., & Bingham, G. E. (2022). Ready, Set, Write: Early Learning Standards for Writing in the Common Core Era. Reading Research Quarterly, 57(2), 729–752. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.436

Welcome to another episode of TLP! This is a fantastic episode where Dr. Danielle Colenbrander breaks down for us irregular words and what we know about these words from research. Dr. Colenbrander is a post-doctoral research fellow at Macquarie University and the lead author of two recent articles we discuss in the episode. A big thanks to my new co-producer, Patrick Wells who helped make this episode possible. If you find value in the show we would appreciate a donation to keep things running. You can find TLP on the business side of Venmo @teachlitpodcast or there is a secure link on teachingliteracypodcast.com where you can donate securely. References: Colenbrander, D., Kohnen, S., Beyersmann, E., Robidoux, S., Wegener, S., Arrow, T., Nation, K., & Castles, A. (2022). Teaching Children to Read Irregular Words: A Comparison of Three Instructional Methods. Scientific Studies of Reading, 26(6), 545–564. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2022.2077653 Colenbrander, D., Wang, H.-C., Arrow, T., & Castles, A. (2020). Teaching irregular words: What we know, what we don-t know, and where we can go from here. The Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 37(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.1017/edp.2020.11

This is a great interview that covers a lot of ground. We discuss teacher content/pedagogical knowledge, phonological awareness instruction, and phonics instruction, why it all matters, and what it means for instruction. My guests are Dr. Shayne Piasta from the Ohio State University and Dr. Alida Hudson from Texas A&M University A big thanks to my new co-producer, Patrick Wells who helped make this episode possible. If you find value in the show we would appreciate a donation to keep things running. You can find TLP on the business side of Venmo @teachlitpodcast or there is a secure link on teachingliteracypodcast.com where you can donate securely.

Welcome to a new school year! This is a fantastic interview to kick things off. In this episode I am talking with Dr. Courtney Hattan and Dr. Sarah Lupo about knowledge, what it means for reading comprehension, and how to think about leveraging knowledge in the classroom. I am also excited to announce that there is a new co-producer with me on TLP. His name is Patrick Wells and he is a first year first grade teacher. He will be helping with the editing and production of the show. If you find value in the show we would appreciate a donation to keep things running. You can find TLP on the business side of Venmo @teachlitpodcast or there is a secure link on teachingliteracypodcast.com where you can donate securely. Link to the 2002 RAND Report: https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1465.html Reference: Hattan, C., & Lupo, S. M. (2020). Rethinking the Role of Knowledge in the Literacy Classroom. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1), S283–S298. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.350

Welcome to this episode of TLP! My guest is Dr. Kathleen Brown who directs the reading clinic in the college of education at the University of Utah. Her work focuses on beginning reading instruction, word recognition, instruction, comprehension, instruction, intervention models for at-risk and struggling readers, and teacher professional development in reading instruction and intervention. Dr. Brown and her colleagues recently reviewed the two most popular Phonological Awareness materials used in Utah’s Kindergartens. The team then compared those curricula with current research consensus. It is a fascinating conversation with plenty of take-aways for your classroom. Reference: Brown, K. J., Patrick, K. C., Fields, M. K., & Craig, G. T. (2021). Phonological Awareness Materials in Utah Kindergartens: A Case Study in the Science of Reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(S1), S249–S272. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.386

Welcome to this episode of TLP! My guest is Dr. Devin Kearns, who is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Kearns’s research focuses on reading disability, including dyslexia and school-aged children with an emphasis on linking educational practice to cognitive science. In this episode we discuss helping students read long words. Our discussion includes polysyllabic and polymorphemic discussion, as well as tradeoffs between those two modes of instruction. Here are the two long words we discuss at ~21:42 pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters, 12 syllables, 6 morphemes) humuhumunukunukuapuaa (21 letters, 12 syllables, 1 morpheme; state fish of Hawaii) Link to Dr. Kearn’s excellent teacher-friendly website: https://www.devinkearns.org/teachers Link to Phinder (super cool!): https://www.devinkearns.org/phinder Reference: Kearns, D. M., & Whaley, V. M. (2019). Helping Students With Dyslexia Read Long Words: Using Syllables and Morphemes. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 51(3), 212–225. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040059918810010

In this episode I interview Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling about her new book Structured Literacy Interventions: Teaching Students With Reading Difficulties Grades K-6. Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling is a professor emerita in the department of special education at Southern Connecticut State University. Her research interests have focused on reading development, literacy difficulties, and how teacher knowledge connects to reading instruction.This is an excellent interview with lots of great takeaways for your classroom.

Maybe you have bought materials from Teachers Pay Teachers to use in your classroom. Or maybe you borrowed curriculum from another teacher that you used to supplement your instruction in the classroom. This is supplemental curriculum at work and my guest today has some interesting findings about this phenomenon.His name is Daniel Silver and he is a 4th year PhD student at USC. In this episode we talk about how things like the Common Core, social media, and COVID have all influenced the use of supplemental curriculum.This is a great episode with plenty of takeaways for thinking about how to supplement curriculum in the classroom. If you are interested in reading the paper or getting in contact with Daniel Silver he leaves his contact information near the end of our interview. Reference:Silver, D. (2021). A Theoretical Framework for Studying Teachers’ Curriculum Supplementation. Review of Educational Research, 00346543211063930. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543211063930

Today’s guest is a returning guest. I’m very excited to re-interview on the show, Dr. Margaret Vaughn. Dr. Vaughn is an associate professor in the College of Education at Washington State University. Dr. Vaughn recently completed a systematic review of teacher visioning in a systematic review, which forms the basis of our conversation today. I would also highly recommend checking out Dr. Vaughn’s previous episodes as well as her recent books. TLP Episodes with Dr. Vaughn Episode 8 Adaptive Literacy Teaching Episode 9 Student Agency in Literacy Recent Books by Dr. Vaughn Student Agency in the Classroom: Honoring Student Voice in the Curriculum Teaching with Children’s Literature: Theory to Practice Recent Special Issue on Teacher Visioning in the Peabody Journal of Education: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0161956X.2021.1980317 Reference: Vaughn, M., Wall, A., Scales, R. Q., Parsons, S. A., & Sotirovska, V. (2021). Teacher visioning: A systematic review of the literature. Teaching and Teacher Education, 108, 103502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103502

Welcome to a new year! In this episode I invited Dr. Zoi Philippakos associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Knoxville, Tennessee to discuss her recent book Developing Strategic Young Writers Through Genre Instruction Resouces for Grades K-2. It’s a great book, she also has a related book for 3-5 that I highly recommend checking out as well. Enjoy the episode!

2021 was fantastic! Looking forward to a great year of literacy in 2022!

I’m very excited about today’s episode today. My guest is Dr. Dan Reynolds, he is an assistant professor of English and literacy education at John Carroll university. He does a lot of work with scaffolding texts and, helping support students in complex texts. But today we’re talking specifically about updated recommendations for adolescent literacy. In 2008, the Institute of education sciences released a guide for teaching adolescents grade 4-12. Link to 2008 IES Practice Guide for Adolescent Literacy: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/practiceguide/8 Dr. Reynold’s article highlighting important updates: https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jaal.1176 References: Kamil, M.L., Borman, G.D., Dole, J., Kral, C.C., Salinger, T., & Torgesen, J. (2008). Improving adolescent literacy: Effective classroom and intervention practices. IES Practice Guide. NCEE 2008-4027. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. Reynolds, D. (2021). Updating Practice Recommendations: Taking Stock of 12 Years of Adolescent Literacy Research. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 65(1), 37– 46. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.1176