Literacy Talks

In this episode of Literacy Talks , our trio of literacy experts unpacks all the information first introduced in Episode 3 of this season, featuring special guest Dr. Matt Burns. Why? Because the conversations surrounding reading levels, assessments, and the unwavering pursuit of reading proficiency are pivotal. From underscoring the importance of informal observations, pre-teaching, and scaffoldi...

Classroom teachers, families, reading coaches, and, most importantly, students have all experienced reading levels. In this compelling episode of Literacy Talks , special guest Dr. Matt Burns shares his research and insights and their application to literacy learning, extra support, and growth. It’s a candid and refreshing look at assessment, measurement, and the changes in how the profession can...

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Get real”? This episode extends our back-to-school conversation and focuses on the data and real-time information that will help teachers create classrooms that are places of success for every student. From recognizing that nearly a third of all fourth graders score below basic in reading, with another third at very basic levels, to early assessments that...

Whether you’re teaching for the first time or a seasoned classroom educator, the words ‘back to school’ always signal excitement, energy, and new enthusiasm for the year ahead. As we launch season 4 of Literacy Talks , our trio explores ideas and strategies to create classroom, at-home, and tutoring environments that support readers and reading. You’ll pick up helpful tips for classroom setup. You...

Pop some popcorn. Find a comfy couch. Settle in and listen to this episode of Literacy Talks as our terrific trio shares a lineup of films about literacy. From The Right to Read to Blame It On Gutenberg , there are new and now classic films about the critical importance of literacy that you’ll want to watch. In this episode, our trio shares their responses to the movies and why they believe it’s i...

Every educator can relate to this episode as it delves into the complex issue of students encountering difficulties in reading. Our podcast hosts approach this issue through various lenses, revisiting the essentials of effective reading instruction, highlighting the significance of diagnostic assessments, and emphasizing the importance of early identification of learning gaps. This episode underli...

Words that are spelled the same but are pronounced differently depending on their context can be perplexing for readers of all ages. What can you do? The answer comes from helping young readers build the skill known as set for variability . This episode of Literacy Talks unpacks this essential literacy skill and distinguishes it from the notion of guessing at the right pronunciation. It requires s...

Whether you attended the March 2023 Plain Talk Conference in New Orleans or wish you did, this Literacy Talks episode will give you a front-row seat for an insightful wrap-up on all the news and sessions from the conference. From favorite breakout sessions to highlights of the keynote addresses, this episode will take you on a round trip to Plain Talk and back without ever packing a suitcase. 💬 W...

We’re all familiar with the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” When it comes to literacy, that village includes teachers, families, and caregivers alike. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our trio of literacy experts looks at how educators and those in students’ home lives can play a cooperative, collaborative role in raising confident, capable readers. From productive conversations...

As schools and districts transform literacy instruction, invest in new professional learning for teachers, and train literacy coaches to implement instruction anchored in the science of reading, a key question arises—When will we see results? This episode of Literacy Talks addresses the question and provides insights into how changes in literacy instruction will deliver measurable and observable i...

Reading and literacy statistics offer valuable insights. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our trio of reading experts takes a helpful look at the numbers of reading. The “one in five” stat underscores the need to provide services and support to striving readers. There’s also the 50/50 split that tells us an equal number of girls and boys grapple with dyslexia. You can count on new information a...

Once students can master decoding, their vocabularies can blossom. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our trio of literacy experts tackles the challenges and joys of helping students build their vocabulary skills, along with the how’s and why’s of using the techniques of vocabulary-rich teaching.  💬 Want more insights like this? Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest   for episode recaps...

How can we, as educators, caregivers, and family members, encourage a love of reading in students? This episode of Literacy Talks explores the challenges and joys of teaching students to read, our priority, and encouraging their love of reading along the way. From helping them experience and feel success as they decode their first words to giving every student the opportunity to succeed, this epis...

In November 2022, our Literacy Talks hosts attended the International Dyslexia Association’s 73rd annual conference. In this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to travel with them virtually as they share their key takeaways from the conference and their impressions of the many memorable presentations they attended. From new findings in brain research to effective intervention and prevention mode...

The reading pendulum is swinging, and in this episode of Literacy Talks , our reading experts talk candidly about how to frame and navigate the changing priorities and emphases. This conversation will give teachers and leaders valuable perspectives on the importance of focusing on foundational skills while still addressing all strands of literacy in instruction. The sciences of reading and learnin...

Our Literacy Talks trio of hosts took time to reflect on the things they’re grateful for and what they’re looking forward to in the months ahead. From the strides their own children are making in their academic careers after struggling with dyslexia, to the work and progress they see in their own students, this episode will uplift and inspire literacy champions everywhere. A bonus? Our hosts celeb...

In the world of education and instructional approaches, the pendulum is always swinging. In early literacy, there’s a new and welcome emphasis on applying the science of reading to teaching practices and curriculum content. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our trio of literacy experts explores the bigger picture, helping educators and administrators alike think about their literacy programs as...

If you were among the fortunate educators who attended The Reading League 2022 Conference in Syracuse, NY, you’ll enjoy this conversation between our Literacy Talks hosts and the speakers who dropped by to chat. If you didn’t attend, you’ll have a chance to participate in some of the conference’s remarkable energy, insights, and inspiration. From university faculty members to the founders of the p...

The early literacy landscape is filled with phonics, decoding skills, and all the components of Structured Literacy instruction. Is there room for writing? Our three Literacy Talks hosts say, “Yes!” In this episode, educators will learn more about teaching fundamental writing skills all along the literacy pathway. From the five critical writing skills early learners need to develop to the eventual...

There are so many valuable reading and literacy conferences it can be challenging to attend them all, but our Literacy Talks audience is in luck. Donell Pons, one of our podcast hosts, traveled to the SSSR Conference, and in this episode, she shares many of the insights and new data points she learned at this event. From the importance of teaching letter/sound combinations to the role of oral lang...

Too often, parents, classroom teachers, administrators, and even pediatricians have difficulty identifying the signs of dyslexia. Students are sometimes adept at hiding their reading struggles…and not every student who has difficulty learning to read has dyslexia. In this episode, our Literacy Talks trio will share their experiences identifying students who may need evaluation and support services...

This is an episode to listen to many times over and share with your literacy colleagues. With featured guest Dr. Anita Archer, this Literacy Talks episode covers the literacy landscape and explores the power and practicality of explicit literacy instruction. From instructional content to instructional design, effective delivery to feedback and practice, listeners will have the opportunity to under...

For many of us, one book can make a profound difference in how we teach, our understanding of reading science, and our insights into how students learn to read. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our experts share the impacts that the book Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers by Louisa Cook Moats, Ed. D, continues to have on their work in classrooms with young readers, pre-service te...

Ask most reading teachers if they learned everything they needed while in college, and chances are, they’ll say no. Hands-on classroom experience and in-the-classroom coaching and mentoring have been instrumental in helping them build confidence and capacity. But beyond in-class experiences, what kinds of professional learning will help reading teachers adapt and transform their practice? In this...

This episode can be a classroom game-changer. For many of us, spelling means a weekly word list handed out on Monday and assessed on Friday. In this episode of Literacy Talks , our experts share new perspectives on actually teaching spelling. It’s more than testing or memorizing words. Good spelling instruction can be a diagnostic window into students’ proficiency as readers and writers. Tune in a...