Send us a Text Message. The One About… APM Journalist Christopher Peak Breaking News Episode! Sold a Story Christopher Peak joins us to discuss his THREE APRIL articles with us about the collapse of literacy giants: Reading Recovery, Lucy Calkins, and Fountas and Pinnell, along with Heinemann Publishing. Christopher Peak Bio: Christopher Peak is an investigative reporter who covers education for APM Reports. He co-reported “Sold a Story,” a podcast about a disproven approach to teaching reading used in many elementary schools. The series was one of Apple’s most shared podcasts in 2023. It won ..read more

Send us a Text Message. The One About… Kathy Rastle on Having a Database of Books for Children The Children and Young People’s Books-Lexicon (CYP-LEX) provides unprecedented information into the nature of vocabulary in books that British children aged 7+ read and is a highly valuable resource for those studying reading and language development. Shouldn’t we have one in the USA? What Words do Children Encounter When They Read for Pleasure? Maria Korochkina   Kathy Rastle on Having a Database of Books for Children amp; Kathy Rastle Mar 12, 2024 Blog: https://www.rastlelab.com/post/what-wor ..read more

Send us a Text Message. The One About… Is Reading Recovery the Science of Reading? Article: “Reading Recovery IS the Science(s) of Reading and the Art of Teaching” Debra Semm Rich, Saint Mary’s College https://readingrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/JRR_23-2_Spring_2024_Rich.pdf Quote from the article: “The purpose of this article is to compare and contrast the media version of the Science of Reading (SOR) Movement with the comprehensive, researched Sciences of Reading to which Reading Recovery ascribes.” A former Reading Recovery teacher and an attorney share their views with us. Bio ..read more

The One About… Is Reading Recovery the Science of Reading? Article: “Reading Recovery IS the Science(s) of Reading and the Art of Teaching” Debra Semm Rich, Saint Mary’s College https://readingrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/JRR_23-2_Spring_2024_Rich.pdf Quote from the article: “The purpose of this article is to compare and contrast the media version of the Science of Reading (SOR) Movement with the comprehensive, researched Sciences of Reading to which Reading Recovery ascribes.” A former Reading Recovery teacher and an attorney share their views with us. Bio: Catherine Cook, B.Ed., L ..read more

The One About… TRL Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines with Dr. Maria Murray and Kari Kurto Here is a link to the Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines: https://www.thereadingleague.org/curriculum-evaluation-guidelines/ When reviewing curricula for Tier I instruction, it is essential to ensure they do not include instructional practices that are not aligned with the scientific evidence base of how children learn to read. The Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines are designed to highlight any non-aligned practices, or “red flags,” that may be present. Here is a landing page with more information on the Curr ..read more

The One About… Text Structure and Inference Skills: The Latest Instructional Research! Marianne Rice, Tiffany Peltier, and Kacee Lambright “What’s the Main Idea?”: Using Text Structure to Build Comprehension Alida K. Hudson, Julie Owens, Karol A. Moore, Kacee Lambright, Kausalai (Kay) Wijekumar First published: 27 April 2021 https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/trtr.2016 “Inference skills for reading: A meta-analysis of instructional practices.” Rice, M., & Wijekumar, K. (K.) (2024, March 18). Inference Skills for Reading: A Meta-Analysis of Instructional Practices. Jour ..read more

The One About… What’s the Research Behind Mouth Picture Sound Walls? quote Cows don't fly, and phonemes don't have lips. So why is this unsupported practice spreading like wildfire? quote - Dr. Jan Wasowicz Article: “Articulatory Gestures in Literacy Instruction” Laura MacGrath, MSc(A) January 25, 2024 https://learningbydesign.com/professional-development/spell-links-blogue/ Bio: Dr. Jan Wasowicz **External Consultant for Purdue University, Interdepartmental Science of Reading Initiative to strengthen teacher preparation in using science-based methods **Advisory Board Member, The Reading Leagu ..read more

The One About… Joan Sedita on Comprehension Strategy Instruction “The growing awareness of the role of background knowledge in supporting reading comprehension has led some literacy professionals and journalists to proclaim that building background knowledge is the main solution to addressing students’ difficulties with reading comprehension.” – Joan Sedita This episode takes a look at the actual research supporting the teaching of instructional strategies. Article: “In Support of Main Idea and Comprehension Strategy Instruction” https://keystoliteracy.com/blog/in-support-of-main-idea-and-comp ..read more

The One About… Is the term “SoR” overused? Special Guest Emina McLean SoR? SoL? Structured Literacy? Quote: “What does that mean? In concrete terms, what exactly would you observe in these schools with respect to documentation, assessment, or teaching and learning practices that would mean they were an “SoL” school, and who decides?” – Emina McLean “There is no such thing as an “SoR” curriculum, resource, or set of instructional techniques.” Article: https://www.eminamclean.com/post/has-the-science-of-reading-become-a-rampant-thought- terminating-clich%C3%A9 Emina McLean Bio: https://www.emina ..read more

The One About: Dr. Holly Lane: Does Expensive Mean Better Quality? Dr. Holly Lane couldn’t sell a used car for $500 until she raised the price to $1500! Why do we think free or inexpensive products aren’t very good? Why do we think programs and materials with all the bells and whistles are better? Science or Snake Oil Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc5SjcLQ5Ow Bio: Dr. Holly Lane is a faculty member at the University of Florida and director of the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI). Her research focuses on the prevention of reading difficulties through effective early li ..read more