Reading Road Trip: Literacy for Language Learners with Diana Burchell

In this podcast episode, Kate Winn hosts Diana Burchell for a conversation about language learners. Is structured literacy appropriate for multilingual learners? Can early screening and intervention support students in French Immersion? What does research tell us about the language and literacy development of refugees […]

Reading Road Trip: Literacy Myth Busting with Lyn Stone

In this podcast episode, Lyn Stone busts common reading myths and misconceptions, advocating for evidence-based structured literacy for all students. Lyn highlights the importance of targeting intervention to student needs, the myth of dyslexia as a gift, and the value of explicit writing instruction.

Effective Early Literacy Instruction with Dr Sonia Cabell

In this podcast interview with Kate Winn and Dr. Sonia Cabell, the focus is on the importance of early language and literacy development. Dr. Cabell highlights key considerations for instruction in several areas: oral language and conversation, alphabetics, writing and spelling, and building knowledge.

Reading Road Trip: Mighty Moves for Reading Success with Lindsay Kemeny

In this podcast episode, Lindsay Kemeny highlights the “7 Mighty Moves” she made to align her early literacy instruction with research. Moves include teaching phonemic awareness with intention, teaching phonics explicitly and systematically, teaching decoding strategies, using decodable texts for beginning readers, encouraging more decoding of high-frequency words, providing meaningful fluency practice, and embracing vocabulary and knowledge instruction to support comprehension.

Reading Road Trip: All Things Fluency with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck

In this IDA Ontario podcast featuring Kate Winn and Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, the focus is on the significance of reading fluency and its impact on students’ literacy development. Reading fluency, characterized by accuracy, rate, and prosody, plays a vital role in overall reading proficiency and comprehension. The podcast highlights the importance of assessing reading fluency effectively, and using research-backed approaches to supporting fluency development.

Decodable Text: Training Wheels for Reading

This podcast episode explores decodable text as training wheels for early readers. These texts feature phonetically regular words and consistent spelling patterns, providing a structured approach to learning to read. Kemeny emphasizes their importance in building strong phonics and decoding skills, boosting reading fluency and confidence. Decodable texts are introduced in the early stages of reading instruction and gradually phased out as students become proficient in decoding and sight words. Educators can make the process engaging through interactive activities and relatable stories. The goal is for students to transition to authentic texts when they have developed solid decoding skills and a growing sight word vocabulary. Effective use of decodable texts ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey towards reading fluency for young learners.

Deconstructing the Rope: Vocabulary

Nancy Hennessy expertly discusses the Scarborough’s reading rope’s deconstruction and highlights vocabulary and explicit instruction’s vital role in improving reading comprehension. Emphasizing explicit vocabulary instruction, she aims to equip students with a broad and deep lexicon for understanding complex texts and expressing ideas coherently. Through structured guidance, educators can empower students to become proficient readers.