Reading Road Trip

Blake Harvard, an AP psychology teacher from Alabama and author of "Do I Have Your Attention?", discusses the intricate relationship between attention and memory. He reveals why multitasking hampers learning and offers practical strategies like retrieval practice and spaced learning to boost memory retention. The conversation delves into how preparing with retrieval can alleviate test anxiety and suggests innovative ways to enhance multiple-choice assessments, emphasizing the importance of effective educational strategies for maximizing student engagement.

Lisa Rogers, a school-based literacy facilitator, Courtney Berger, a secondary teacher, and Kristen Roy, a special education educator, discuss their transformative work with structured literacy interventions for older students. They share how data-driven strategies led to measurable improvements in reading skills and student confidence. The conversation highlights their innovative use of the REWARDS program, effective progress monitoring tools, and the importance of creating supportive classroom environments that empower struggling readers. Personal success stories illustrate the profound impact of targeted literacy support.

This week, Kate welcomes Dr. Tiffany Hogan to explore Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). They dig into what DLD is, how it relates to dyslexia, signs educators can watch for at different grade levels, and how to support students in the classroom. Dr. Hogan shares insights on screening, assessment, and instructional strategies, as well as misconceptions that can impact identification and services. The conversation is packed with practical advice for educators and a call to action to raise awareness about DLD. This episode mentions: Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina DLD and Me See Hear Speak podcast Open access article reviewing DLD screeners PELI - Preschool Early Literacy Indicators LanguageScreen CUBED Narrative Language Measures Acadience CFOL - Comprehension, Fluency & Oral Language

Reading Road Trip hits the road! In this special episode, co-producer Dr. Una Malcolm swaps her behind-the-scenes hat for a mic as she and host Kate Winn unpack their highlights and hot takes from the 2025 Society for the Scientific Study of Reading Conference in Calgary. From poster sessions to practitioner panels (and even a scenic detour to Banff), Kate and Una reflect on their conference adventure. Plus, listen in for a bonus segment featuring top structured literacy tips from Reading Road Trip listeners! Links to past Reading Road Trip episodes mentioned: Season 4, Episode 4 – Implementation Science with Dr. Katlynn Dahl Leonard Season 3, Episode 8 – Higher Education & Systems-Level Literacy with Dr. Andrea Fraser Season 1, Episode 3 – Foundational Literacy Skills with Dr. Holly Lane Season 1, Episode 2 – Language and Literacy with Dr. Sonia Cabell

This week, Kate Winn chats with educator and SyllaSense decodable book author Lee-Ann Lear. They discuss the role decodables can play in a structured literacy classroom, common misconceptions, and practical tips for using decodable text. Lee-Ann also shares how SyllaSense got started, how the books are written and reviewed, and why their scope and sequence goes beyond just phonics. Whether you’re new to decodable text or already using it regularly, this episode offers helpful insights for educators supporting early readers.   Mentioned in this episode:  Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? by Tyna Legault Taylor The Reading League Decodable Book Sources UFLI Decodable Text Guide The Active View of Reading - Duke & Cartwright SyllaSense Scope and Sequence SyllaSense Teacher Tip Sheets SyllaSense deck-odables SyllaSense workshops

What is implementation science, and why should educators care about it? In this episode, Kate welcomes Dr. Katlynn Dahl-Leonard to break down how this field can help close the gap between literacy research and classroom practice. They discuss Katlynn's recent study on teacher implementation of a structured literacy intervention, components of fidelity, and what makes implementation easier - or harder - for educators. Tune in for practical insights on supporting evidence-based instruction in real-world settings. This episode mentions: If You Were Here by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin Katlynn's study, co-authored with Drs. Colby Hall & Philip Capin, Exploring the feasibility of implementing the SPELL-Links to Reading and Writing intervention (open source) Translational science: A road map for the science of reading by Dr.Emily Solari et al. Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) Program integrity in primary and early secondary prevention: Are implementation effects out of control?    

Join Dr. Sarah Lupo, an Associate Professor of Literacy Education at James Madison University, as she delves into enhancing adolescent literacy across subjects. She identifies five key challenges in understanding complex texts and offers research-backed strategies for scaffolding instruction. Dr. Lupo emphasizes the importance of connecting literacy to students' identities and communities while navigating text complexity. Discover practical tools, like double entry journals and collaborative reading techniques, to elevate comprehension in every classroom.

This week, Kate Winn welcomes Irish educator and researcher Dr. Jen O’Sullivan to explore how young children develop the ability to make inferences and how educators can explicitly support this essential skill. From playful, practical strategies to research-backed insights, this episode is packed with ideas to bring inferencing to life in the early years. Mentioned in the Episode: The Game by Henry Charles Ten Bears and Shoshannah Greene RAND Reading Study Group (2002) Oakhill and Cain (2012) study on inference and comprehension Tighe and Schatschneider (2014) study on predictors of reading comprehension Hall et al. (2019) study on inference instruction with English language learners Jen O’Sullivan’s Substack  

In this lively discussion, Dr. Leslie Laud, Director of thinkSRSD, shares her extensive experience in transforming writing instruction across U.S. classrooms. She dives into the adaptable thinkSRSD model, which enhances literacy from kindergarten to high school, while also easing teacher workloads. Dr. Laud highlights the model's effectiveness in fostering student engagement and ownership of learning. Listen in for insightful anecdotes and strategies that not only improve writing skills but also resonate beautifully with Canadian curricula.

Buckle up - Reading Road Trip is back for a fourth season! Join classroom teacher Kate Winn for a jam-packed season featuring fabulous guests. From researchers and authors to educators and practitioners, they're all sharing practical ideas that can be implemented now in your class, school, board or district!