Science of Reading: The Podcast

Maryanne Wolf, esteemed literacy expert and director of UCLA's Center for Dyslexia, delves into the tensions of literacy instruction. She talks about the plea to preserve deep reading in the digital age, literacy and screens, and the most pressing topics in research on the brain and literacy. She also emphasizes the importance of teachers and passing on knowledge.

Tanya S. Wright, an Associate Professor of Language and Literacy at Michigan State University and former kindergarten teacher, shares valuable insights on optimizing vocabulary development in young learners. She emphasizes the critical connection between vocabulary and early literacy, offering practical strategies for educators. Wright discusses the importance of integrating vocabulary instruction across all subjects and fostering inclusive classrooms. Her anecdotes highlight the need for engaging young students through purposeful and interactive learning experiences.

Dr. Jasmine Rogers discusses Black language perception and teacher strategies in the classroom. She shares insights on allowing students to be themselves, teacher approaches for inclusivity, and emotional stories. Dr. Rogers emphasizes introspection for impactful teaching and explores the importance of embracing language diversity.

Margaret McKeown, retired professor and decades-long researcher, talks about the importance of vocabulary, effective instruction methods, and the role of informal instruction. She emphasizes the significance of tier two words for knowledge building and highlights the need for interactive and ongoing instruction. Listeners will gain insights into bolstering vocabulary instruction in their own communities.

Famed education thinker and author, John Hattie, discusses the biggest takeaways from his work, the importance of successful implementation, and his thoughts on AI and the future of education. They talk about the distinction between being a real teacher and an academic, the limitations of meta-analysis, and using 'Visible Learning' for effective teaching practices. They also discuss interacting with critics, the impact of online data, and upcoming revolutions in education.

Gina Cervetti, a Professor of Education at the University of Michigan specializing in literacy, joins to explore the deep connections between knowledge, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. She argues that knowledge and vocabulary are complementary, redefining knowledge to include cultural understanding. Gina discusses the concept of conceptual coherence and how it enhances comprehension in students. She also shares innovative strategies for building vocabulary without traditional lists, emphasizing the importance of integrating cultural backgrounds to foster engagement in literacy.

Join Molly Ness, an expert in read-aloud strategies and author of "Read Alouds for All Learners," as she shares insights from her journey from law to teaching. She highlights the transformative power of read-alouds in enhancing literacy, vocabulary, and comprehension for students from Pre-K to eighth grade. Molly discusses effective strategies for intentional planning and implementation, emphasizing their socioemotional benefits. Using examples like Mo Willems' 'Knuffle Bunny,' she showcases how read-alouds can engage students across various subjects.

The podcast features Reid Smith and Pamela Snow discussing the importance of building background knowledge for literacy. They highlight the complexity of knowledge-building, the role it plays in literacy, and the need for a knowledge-rich curriculum. The episode explores the benefits of coherent curriculum design and emphasizes knowledge and skills development over time.

In this episode, in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we highlight Kareem Weaver's daughter Margaret "Margo" and nephew Elijah—both of whom learned they had dyslexia later in their young lives. After many struggles in school, Margo was diagnosed with dyslexia in high school. Meanwhile, Elijah was diagnosed with dyslexia only while he was incarcerated. Margo and Elijah discuss the impact of their diagnoses. Meanwhile, Kareem reflects on their stories and shares lessons learned for families and caregivers. Margo and Elijah also share their advice for educators and other young people about types of dyslexia. Show notes:Listen: Kareem Weaver’s first interview with Susan: What it takes to be a literacy education changemaker.Listen: Kareem Weaver’s most recent podcast appearance: The Right to Read: live from Plain TalkMuch more on dyslexia: Listen to S7E7 with Dr. Tim Odegard and S7E9 with Dr. Sally ShaywitzDocumentary: The Right to Read Website: FULCRUM (Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate) Read: How dyslexia diagnosis changed a Bay Area high school softball player’s lifeQuotes:"It made me realize I wasn't the problem; something was wrong with me. I just had a little bump in the road that was making it just a little bit harder for me." —Margo Weaver"It shouldn't take having to go to jail to get what you need to learn how to read. That's the bottom of it." —Kareem Weaver"Just try to take a deep breath in and ask questions." —Elijah Valencia"Even when they were trying to help me ... it's like they were expecting me to be learning at everybody else's pace." —Elijah Valencia"Real talk as a parent: We got to own up to stuff." —Kareem Weaver"When a kid can't read and life gets a hold of you, it's a life cycle. Next thing you know, you find yourself in situatins that you never would have imagined." —Kareem Weaver"Most parents are overwhelmed and they need an ally in the building." —Kareem Weaver"I just wish somebody kind of sat with me and told me that I wasn't stupid and that I was okay." —Margo Weaver

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Reid Lyon, one of the leading experts in reading research. After years working for and with the highest levels of the U.S. government, Dr. Lyon stepped away from working on reading research. However, in May 2023, he released his "Ten Maxims: What We've Learned So Far About How Children Learn to Read." Picking up where we left off last episode, Dr. Lyon continues to expand on what we know about how children learn—and explains how much of this information was known two decades ago when he was testifying before Congress. He also goes into what he sees in the current Science of Reading landscape, and what he hopes for the future, and how both of those things led to the creation of his "Ten Maxims."Show notes:Listen to: Embracing the complexity of learning to read (Part 1)Dr. Reid Lyon: “Ten Maxims: What We've Learned So Far About How Children Learn to Read”Keith Rayner’s research: “Eye movements in reading and information processing: 20 years of research”Marilyn Adams: Beginning to ReadSusan Brady:  Phonological Processes in Literacy Emily Hanford: “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”Quotes:“The Science of Reading is cumulative and we’re learning all kinds of new things.” —Dr. Reid Lyon“A more realistic look at reading is in fact to understand the complexity, but not be intimidated by it.” —Dr. Reid Lyon“When you’re working on something that’s so critical to a life—to a child’s life—belief systems don’t cut it. Evidence cuts it.” —Dr. Reid Lyon