18 - Kevin and Robyn Wheldall on Effective Instruction in Reading
Jul 29, 2023
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In this episode, listen to Emeritus Professor Kevin and Dr. Robyn Wheldall as they discuss their careers, co-founding MultiLit, and their book on effective instruction in reading. They share insights on laying reading foundations, teaching reading effectively, differentiation, positive behavior approach, tiered instruction, phonics, and maintaining instructional continuity. A must-listen for teachers interested in evidence-based literacy instruction.
Phonics instruction is essential for learning to read, starting with a few sounds and progressing to more complex ones.
MultiLit offers research-based programs and resources to help struggling readers, aiming to improve reading outcomes for all students.
The book 'Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling' provides practical advice for teachers on evidence-based approaches in literacy instruction.
Deep dives
The Importance of Phonics Instruction
Phonics instruction is essential for learning to read as it teaches the relationship between sounds and letters, helping students decode and blend words. Teachers should provide direct instruction and practice in phonics, starting with a few sounds and building up to more complex ones. A systematic and synthetic phonics program is crucial, offering a comprehensive and structured sequence of sounds, explicit instruction, cumulative reviews, and ongoing assessments to monitor student progress.
The Role of Multi-Lit in Effective Literacy Instruction
Multi-Lit is a leading provider of effective literacy instruction, dedicated to ensuring all children learn to read. They offer research-based programs and resources for teachers, training opportunities, and literacy centers. Multi-Lit's programs, such as the Reading Tutor Program and Mini-Lit, focus on helping struggling readers, while their newer program, InitiaLit, provides evidence-based whole-class instruction for foundation students. The goal of Multi-Lit is to reduce the need for intensive interventions by delivering high-quality instruction from the start, resulting in improved reading outcomes for students.
Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling
The book 'Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling' by Kevin and Robin Waldle aims to provide a comprehensive guide for teachers and educators in understanding the science and strategies behind effective reading and spelling instruction. The book emphasizes the importance of evidence-based approaches and offers practical advice for teachers to implement in the classroom. From phonics instruction to behavioral management techniques, the book covers various aspects of teaching literacy and offers valuable insights into how to support students' reading and spelling skills effectively.
Teaching Reading: Main Ideas and Key Points
Teaching children to read involves understanding the connection between sounds and letters in alphabetic languages. Alongside phonics, other crucial aspects of reading include comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness. It is important to provide explicit instruction, following a systematic and synthetic phonics approach. By using scripts and a structured curriculum, teachers can effectively teach and monitor students' progress in reading. Assessment and progress monitoring are essential for ensuring the mastery of reading skills and identifying areas that need further attention. Differentiation and a response to intervention model can help meet the individual needs of students.
Positive Behavior Approach and Effective Instruction
Promoting positive behavior in the classroom involves using praise statements more frequently than reprimands. Attention should be given to antecedents, such as materials, lighting, and seating arrangements, to minimize distractions and support focused learning. Explicit, teacher-led instruction with fixed scripts can provide clear guidance and consistency in teaching practices. Phonics instruction should include a cumulative review and ongoing assessment to ensure students' progress and mastery. Building a whole school approach and embracing evidence-based practices can enhance the effectiveness of instruction and support ongoing professional learning for teachers.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall and Dr. Robyn Wheldall. They’ve achieved so much throughout their careers including co-founding MultiLit, a leading provider of effective literacy instruction. In this chat, they describe their journeys and how MultiLit came about. They also speak about their recently published book - Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling.
