Debunking reading myths and defining literacy buzzwords (with Anna Geiger)
De Facto Leaders
Balancing Phonics and Joy in Reading
This chapter explores the relationship between phonics instruction and the joy of reading, emphasizing contextual understanding in language learning. It contrasts rigid phonics approaches with balanced literacy methods and discusses the importance of empowering teachers to effectively support student learning. Additionally, the chapter highlights the need for a thoughtful integration of structured techniques and playful strategies in early literacy instruction.
There are many “science of reading” terms being used right now (including the “science of reading” itself).
Yet debates about how to help kids become literate continues; and part of that is because of common logical fallacies applied to education.
That’s why I invited Anna Geiger to episode 177 of De Facto Leaders to define important literacy terms and discuss myths associated with teaching reading.
Anna Geiger is a former teacher, mom of six, the founder and owner of The Measured Mom, host of the TripleR Teaching podcast, and author of books such as “Reach all Readers”. She was a balanced literacy advocate for twenty years. As both a classroom teacher and teacher educator, she promoted three-cueing using leveled texts. She taught phonics, but didn’t use a scope and sequence. She provided very little direct instruction because she was sure it would bore students.
Fast-forward to 2019, when she began to realize that many of her teaching practices weren’t backed by research. Anna became Orton-Gillingham certified and earned a Science of Reading graduate certificate. She currently runs The Measured Mom website, which includes easy-prep resources that your students will love so much they’ll forget they’re learning.
This episode is part of the National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).
In this conversation, we discuss:
✅The difference between balanced literacy and structured literacy
✅Decodable texts vs. predictable texts.
✅What is three-cueing and why does it encourage poor reading habits?
✅Using syntactic and context clues: Necessary, but not sufficient for decoding.
✅Early literacy instruction: Play-based learning vs. playful learning
✅Finding the joy in reading and teaching: Can you find joy in something if you haven’t been given the skills to do it?
You can learn more about Anna Geiger’s resources on her website here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/
Order Anna’s book, “Reach all Readers” here.
Listen to my interview with Anna on her podcast, TripleR Teaching here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-help-students-improve-language-comprehension-a-conversation-with-dr-karen-dudek-brannan/
Listen to Anna’s conversation about scaffolding early writing skills with Dr. Sonia Cabell here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-scaffold-preschoolers-early-writing-skills-with-dr-sonia-cabell/
Listen to Anna's conversation with Dr. Susan Neuman about evidence-based instruction for preschoolers here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/what-does-research-say-about-teaching-preschoolers/
Listen to Anna’s commentary on decodable texts here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dos-donts-decodable-texts/
Listen to my conversation with Mary Saghafi and Shannon Betts about reading advocacy here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-165-turning-litigious-situations-into-reading-reform-initiatives-with-mary-saghafi-and-shannon-betts/
Other books mentioned in this episode:
“Learning to Read: The Great Debate” by Jeanne Chall
In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here.
In this episode, I mention Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that helps SLPs create a system for language therapy. You can learn more about Language Therapy Advance Foundations here.
You can get 25% off either program when you join between September 15-October 15. Just enter coupon code RIF25 on the checkout page to get this special rate.
*If you’re already a member of either program and you refer a friend, tell them to email me at talktome@drkarenspeech.com if they join and let me know you referred them and I’ll send you a $100 referral bonus.
Here’s what you can do right now to support this campaign and ensure you don’t miss any of these amazing interviews/commentary.
- Go to Apple, Spotify, or any other directory you use for podcasts and subscribe to the De Facto Leaders podcast.
- Once you listen to an episode or two, leave me a rating and review. This helps get my show into the hands of people who need the information.
- Do you have a colleague or friend who needs to learn more about the research surrounding language and literacy? Do you want to spread the word about practices and ideas you’d like to see in your school, community, or state? If so, tell them about the De Facto Leaders podcast so they can listen to all the episodes in this special campaign.
Reading Is Fundamental is a nonprofit that focuses on connecting educators and families with materials and training aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction. Not only is their model aligned with the science of reading; they also offer unique book ownership solutions for professionals and families to address book equity issues. You can learn more ...
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