Writing is the most challenging literacy skill to teach and to learn. Teachers who understand the connection of the science of reading and the reciprocal impact of reading and writing are ready to meet the challenge of teaching this complex skill.Join us for this fascinating discussion about the symbiotic relationship between learning to read and writing. Our expert, a career educator and writing expert, will share how both reading and writing require systematic, explicit instruction that can and should be an integrated part of daily student life. All students can benefit from strategic reading and writing strategies that focus on the foundational writing skills from basic to complex sentence writing, an understanding of text structure, paragraph, multiparagraph, and essay writing. Let our expert tell you how!Our expert will share:The connection of writing to the science of reading, based on the Reading RopeHow the research (by Graham & Herbert, 2011) illustrates how reading and writing support one another and how writing about reading leads to improvements in a student's reading abilityWhy systematic and explicit instruction is critical to build skilled writersHow writing instruction supports all populations of students—general education, those with IEPs, English learners, gifted and talented, and emergent young scholars

Dr. Patricia Vadasy, a Senior Research Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute specializing in early reading, dives into the world of phonics instruction. She unpacks the pivotal role of alphabet knowledge in teaching young learners to read and spell. Vadasy discusses effective, research-backed phonics strategies, highlighting the importance of systematic teaching methods tailored to diverse student needs. She also explores individual differences in learning and the benefits of practice, emphasizing actionable insights for educators dedicated to fostering successful reading foundations.

Barbara Steinberg, a literacy expert with over 20 years of experience and founder of PDX Reading Specialists, dives into the crucial topic of dyslexia. She debunks common myths and emphasizes the importance of early intervention to empower struggling readers. The conversation reveals effective teaching strategies that bolster reading skills, highlights accommodations that create an inclusive environment, and underscores the role of technology in leveling the academic playing field. Steinberg’s insights help educators transform their approach to teaching students with dyslexia.

Dr. Amy Murdoch, the founding director of the Mount St. Joseph Center for Reading Science, shares her passion for applying reading science to young learners. She discusses the importance of educating preschoolers while introducing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to help all students. Dr. Murdoch delves into creating a doctoral program that shapes future leaders in literacy education. Listen as she highlights successful strategies for implementing essential early reading skills and fostering collaboration among educators to ensure every child thrives.

The large body of empirical research known as the science of reading can be leveraged to create effective intervention systems within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports(MTSS.) Join us for this informative, inspiring conversation with Dr. Stephanie Stollar, as she offers guidance about evaluating, selecting, and implementing intervention programs. As the new school year kicks off, you’ll find this conversation to be incredibly timely and helpful!Our discussion will include how to select reading interventions aligned with research and with students' needs. Key aspects of intervention implementation will be shared, including schedule, educator knowledge, and coaching. Finally, Dr. Stollar will share ways to use adult implementation data and student outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.Listeners will learn:How to select reading interventions aligned to research and matched to student needsHow to implement reading interventions for maximum resultsHow to evaluate the effectiveness of reading interventionsWhat to look for in an effective intervention programWhen intervention is needed and for how longFeatured DownloadGuidance for Selecting, Implementing, and Evaluating Reading Interventions

Are you interested in learning how you can create a system that supports reading instruction and intervention in your school or district to ensure every student has the best chance at literacy success? This discussion is for you!This enlightening discussion will focus on the successful Reading by Grade 3 initiative in the Bethlehem Area School District and the strategies and methods behind the district’s approach to instruction and intervention. Our guest, an expert in literacy education who’s been instrumental in shifting the district’s approach to reading instruction and intervention, will share how educators used assessment data to ensure every student is successfully learning to read and write and overcome challenges—regardless of cause.Our expert will share:The importance of having systems and structures in placeThe importance of teacher and administrator knowledge about using dataThe route to getting the best, most useful dataHow to tailor instruction and intervention once the data is in your handsWhen and how to implement interventionWhat to do when intervention isn’t working

We know students thrive on routine, but how does the concept of routine work in the classroom setting during phonics instruction? Join us as we explore what the ideal classroom environment should look like, sound like, and be like during foundational skills lessons. Picture this: Students eagerly engaged in activities like listening, repeating, decoding, encoding, and applying skills to text.Jessica Farmer of Farmer Loves Phonics will highlight several routines for different aspects of the primary reading block and what literacy coaches, administrators, and others should look for during an observation of these lessons—and how to help classroom teachers integrate these routines.During this episode, you'll discover:What phonics instruction looks like and sounds like in the primary classroomLesson structure breakdown for whole-group instructionRoutines for decoding and encoding practiceThe benefits of choral response during word blending, dictation, and fluency practice exercises

School change is hard…but it can be done! Join us as we talk about what it takes to transform a school’s culture of practice to be more aligned with the scientific evidence base on reading, and why it’s worth the effort. Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry of The Reading League will share how a single school or entire district can transition successfully to teaching reading based on science, and how that transition can dramatically improve overall literacy and student outcomes.Join us as we discuss:What it takes to transform a school toward alignment with the scientific evidence base on readingCommon obstacles and tips for overcoming themExamples of what is possible from The Reading League’s real-life work with schools

We know from decades of rigorous research how students learn to read and how they should be taught. Nevertheless, many elements of evidence-based reading instruction are missing from K–2 classrooms. Join this fascinating and applicable discussion with one of education’s most respected researchers, Dr. Barbara Foorman, as she shares the research-based facts about what is often missing and how to rectify that in the school or classroom.Dr. Foorman will share a range of helpful curriculum specifics, word-identification strategies, differentiation, and more.Listeners will leave this discussion with new understanding of:What's missing in K–2 reading instruction?How to fill the gaps in K–2 reading instruction with evidence-based practicesWays to differentiate instruction so all students learn to readThe importance of (a) privileging word-identification strategies over picture and syntactic cues to ensure accurate word identification, and (b) handwriting fluencyStrategies to apply in the classroom by using assessment data to form flexible reading groups and to encourage writing in support of reading

Dr. Pamela Snow discusses the crucial relationship between oral language and reading skills, emphasizing the need for explicit literacy instruction. The podcast explores the impact of oral language development on reading proficiency, providing strategies for enhancing language skills through meaningful interactions. Additionally, the influence of morphology and etymology on reading skills is explored, highlighting the importance of building strong language foundations for children's future success.