We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

The science of learning is what research says about how our brains learn.
In this episode, Nathaniel Swain discusses the science of learning, emphasizing its connection with the science of reading.

He shares:

• key mindset shifts for teachers
• the significance of coherent curriculum planning
• practical strategies like using mini whiteboards and advanced organizers to enhance student engagement and understanding

He also highlights the need for responsive whole-class instruction and the importance of closing learning gaps early in students' educational journeys.

Resources

• Nathaniel Swain's website
• Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement by Nathaniel Swain
• Asubel’s Meaningful Learning in Action by Sarah Cottingham
• Ep. 63: Kindergarten Teacher Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices
• Ep. 115: Kindergarten TEAM Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices
• Ep. 154: Fluency Instructional Routines with Nathaniel Swain

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

From July 14, 2023

What if you could unlock the secrets to fluency instruction in literacy, and transform your students into confident and skilled readers? Join us as we delve into this crucial topic with Nathaniel Swain, Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia, who shares his expertise on the three components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and prosody. Let's explore together how balancing speed with comprehension can make all the difference in today's digital age, where skimming and scrolling are the new norm.

We discuss a variety of practical strategies to help students practice fluency in the classroom, such as choral reading and paired reading. Nathaniel also sheds light on the role of technology in simplifying the process of creating engaging materials. Discover how to create an environment that fosters student engagement and understanding, and learn the differences between fluency instruction in primary and intermediate classes.

Finally, we examine the value of fluency in reading instruction and how it can be integrated into the literacy block. Nathaniel explains the self-teaching hypothesis and emphasizes the importance of exposing students to unfamiliar words and challenging texts. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with tips and strategies to help your students become fluent and confident readers!

Resources

• Think Forward Educators
• Five Ways to Focus on Fluency, Think Forward Educators Blog
• Fluency Rubric, Tim Rasinski
• Readers Theater Scripts, Chase Young
• Fluency Resources, Tim Rasinski
• Nathaniel Swain on Writing to Learn, ERRR Podcast

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

The authors of No More “Strategy of the Week”: Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the Book discuss the importance of teaching comprehension strategies in a text-centered approach. They emphasize the need to move away from isolated strategy instruction and instead focus on using texts as the center of instruction. They highlight the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, and text structure in preparing students for reading. During reading, they suggest using explicit think-alouds to model comprehension strategies and provide scaffolds for students. They also emphasize the need for students to do the heavy lifting during reading and for teachers to support and guide their thinking. The conversation explores the different stages of comprehension instruction: before reading, during reading, and after reading.

Takeaways

• Teaching comprehension strategies should be done in a text-centered approach, where the focus is on using texts as the center of instruction.
• Before reading, it is important to activate or build background knowledge, pre-teach vocabulary, and attend to text structure.
• During reading, teachers should provide explicit think-alouds to model comprehension strategies and provide scaffolds for students.
• Students should be doing the heavy lifting during reading, with teachers supporting and guiding their thinking.
• Engaging students in meaningful reading experiences and connecting comprehension strategies to authentic texts is crucial for effective comprehension instruction. Explicit strategy instruction is crucial for teaching comprehension skills.
• Modeling how to use comprehension strategies helps students understand how to apply them.
• Providing opportunities for students to practice and apply comprehension strategies is essential.
• Engaging students in discussions and writing activities after reading helps consolidate learning and deepen understanding.

No More “Strategy of the Week”: Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the Book

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

Imagine transforming the way you teach reading. Picture your students not just passively consuming the written word, but actively producing meaning and taking purposeful actions inspired by what they've read. This is the promise of our conversation with Doug Fisher, professor at San Diego State University and renowned author, as he takes us on a journey into the depths of reading comprehension.

We question the effectiveness of common literacy programs and discuss the intricate ties between vocabulary, comprehension, and prior knowledge. How do you feel about the 'letter of the week' approach? Listen as we scrutinize its validity and dig deeper into other foundational reading skills, such as letter recognition and sound blending. We also expose the symbiotic relationship between vocabulary and comprehension, underscoring the pivotal role of knowledge in decoding texts.

We then traverse the landscape of oral language in reading instruction and the implications of isolating reading from writing. Can you guess the impact of these practices on student learning? Doug enlightens us on the significance of comprehension strategy instruction and the importance of developing all elements of reading literacy. To cap it off, our conversation concludes with three practical suggestions that you, as an educator, can apply in your classroom for immediate impact. Prepare to awaken a new perspective on the world of reading.

Resources

• Articles by Natalie Wexler
• Steve Graham: Effective Writing Instruction (video)
• Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students, Harris & Graham (book)

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

Imagine facing not only the struggles of growing up in a challenging environment, but also battling a learning difference that went undiagnosed for years.

Hear the inspiring story of Ameer Baraka as he discusses his book: Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia.

Ameer will discuss:

• How he grew up in New Orleans, facing unimaginable obstacles
• His experiences with being misunderstood and how it impacted his life
• How he transformed his life by reclaiming his education while incarcerated
• How he is now dedicated to helping others recognize their potential

By the end of this episode, you'll see how Ameer’s journey not only sheds light on the challenges of dyslexia but also highlights the incredible strength it takes to overcome adversity.

Want to Learn More?

• Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia by Ameer Baraka

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

From October 7, 2022

In this episode, we talk with former balanced literacy teacher and parent, Missy Purcell. She authored a blog post titled Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher.

Missy writes, “According to Nancy Young’s ladder of reading, roughly 10-15% of kids can figure out reading out with this type of instruction, but my child, who would later be diagnosed with dyslexia, would never be able to become a proficient reader with any version of balanced literacy. He, according to Young, like 85% of students, benefit from or need systematic explicit instruction that follows a scope and sequence with fidelity to become proficient readers and writers.”

We want to normalize the idea that most kids CAN learn how to read with structured literacy instruction.

Resources

• Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher
• Looking for Heroes: One Boy, One Year, 100 Letters 2nd Edition
• These resources from the International Dyslexia Association are helpful to spread the word on social media about October as Dyslexia Awareness Month!

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

In this conversation we explore Nancy Young's infographic, "The Ladder of Reading and Writing," unpacking the complexity of learning to read and write in English. This framework helps educators grasp the diverse factors influencing how students learn. Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck, editors of the new book Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of All Learners help us navigate through the four color-coded levels—ranging from those facing the most challenges to those who begin reading effortlessly—emphasizing tailored teaching methods and the nuanced nature of literacy instruction. Highlighting the pivotal roles of classroom organization and data-driven grouping, the episode underscores the necessity of flexible teaching approaches. Concluding with insights on assessment tools and collaborative strategies, they share what it takes for effective differentiated instruction.

Takeaways

• Learning to read and write in English is a complex process influenced by internal and external factors.
• Instruction cannot be one size fits all and must be differentiated based on students' needs.
• The Ladder of Reading and Writing infographic provides a visual representation of the continuum of literacy development.
• Dosage of instruction varies for different students, with some needing more guided practice and others needing less.
• Observation and data collection are crucial for effective differentiation and instruction.
• Differentiation should be based on students' skills and needs, not just their reading levels.
• Assessment should include screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments to inform differentiated instruction.

Resources

• The Ladder of Reading & Writing Infographic by Nancy Young
• Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of All Learners Edited by Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck
• Differentiated Instruction by Vicki Gibson and Jan Hasbrouck

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)

Jul 7, 2023

Today we talk about fluency and assessment with Jan Hasbrouck. She shares tips and tricks for how to to best assess and teach fluency. She also debunks frequent fluency misunderstandings and explains the scientific evidence that underlies the Hasbrouck-Tindal Oral Reading Fluency Chart.

Note: During the podcast, we mentioned we would link Jan’s previous studies on ORF. But… we want to make sure the most recent information (Fluency Norms Chart 2017 Update) is the one that is prioritized for instructional use, so we’ve linked that to avoid confusion.

Resources

• Hasbrouck-Tindal Oral Reading Fluency Chart
• Fluency Norms Chart (2017 Update)
• Developing Fluent Readers by Jan Hasbrouck, Reading Rockets
• Understanding and Assessing Fluency by Jan Hasbrouck, Reading Rockets
• Tim Rasinski Multidimensional Fluency Rubric
• NAEP Fluency Scale
• What Does “Below Basic” Mean on NAEP Reading?

We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

• Facebook and join our Facebook Group
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com

Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.