In this episode of Science of Reading Leadership, we’re thrilled to host Lindsay Kemeny, an elementary school teacher, author, and passionate advocate for literacy. Lindsay brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight into what works in teaching students to read effectively.

We Discuss:

• Inspiration from Experience: Hear how Lindsay's personal challenges with her son's dyslexia propelled her deep dive into literacy research and shaped her teaching methodologies.
• Seven Mighty Moves: Explore the pivotal strategies Lindsay adapted in her classroom to enhance literacy instruction, making her a favorite among K-3 teachers nationwide.
• The Power of Decodables: Understand why decodable books are essential in phonics instruction and how they lay a strong foundation for new readers.
• Support for Educators and Families: Discover Practical steps for educators to assist families in reinforcing reading skills at home.

Important Timestamps:

00:00 Lindsay's background and journey into education.

02:44 Introduction to "Seven Mighty Moves" and the inspiration behind it.

14:28 The critical role of decodable books in reading instruction.

22:07 Importance of the language side of Scarborough’s Reading Rope in a structured literacy program.

27:10 Lindsay's advice for implementing changes in literacy instruction effectively.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable advice for educators at all levels. Whether you’re in the classroom or leading a district, Lindsay’s experiences and strategies offer invaluable insights into promoting successful literacy outcomes.

Connect with Lindsay

Website

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LinkedIn

“If we truly want our students to be fluent readers and comprehenders, we have to start laying that automaticity foundation back when we're teaching letter names and letter sounds and words and phrases.”

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, renowned researcher, author, and educational consultant, joins us on this Science of Reading Leadership episode to discuss the importance of reading fluency, understanding learning differences like dyslexia, appropriate intervention strategies, and more.

With decades of education experience, Dr. Hasbrouck shares invaluable insights into effective literacy practices and the transformative power of tailored instruction.

Key Takeaways

1. The Essence of Fluency: Dr. Hasbrouck emphasizes that accuracy, not speed, is the foundation of reading fluency. Understanding this can significantly enhance educators' approaches to teaching reading.
2. Individualized Instruction: The importance of tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of students, particularly those with dyslexia or other reading challenges.
3. Preventative Approaches in Literacy: Dr. Hasbrouck advocates for early identification and intervention to prevent reading difficulties, highlighting that the right strategies can mitigate nearly all reading challenges.

Timestamps:

00:00 Hasbrouck's journey into education and literacy.

03:41 Insights into the role and evolution of instructional coaching.

08:09 Discussion on the critical nature of reading fluency for student development.

13:17 Exploring the intersection of dyslexia and reading fluency.

22:55 Effective strategies for improving literacy among diverse learners.

27:09 Overview of Dr. Hasbrouck's latest book and its impact on literacy education.

This episode is packed with expert advice and practical strategies that can transform literacy instruction and outcomes. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or simply passionate about literacy, you'll find valuable insights that can be applied in various educational settings.

Connect with Dr. Hasbrouck

Email: janhasbrouck@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janhasbrouck/

X: https://x.com/janhasbrouck

Science of Reading Resources

What You Need to Know About the Science of Reading: https://justrightreader.com/blogs/news/science-of-reading-what-you-need-to-know

Science of Reading Decodables in English and Spanish: www.justrightreader.com

In this powerful Science of Reading Leadership episode, we welcome Natalie Wexler, an esteemed education writer and author of "The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System—And How to Fix It." Natalie shares her extensive experience and dives into how we can bridge the educational divide with effective knowledge-building strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the Knowledge Gap: Natalie explains the knowledge gap concept, highlighting the disparity in background knowledge that contributes to the reading comprehension gap between socioeconomically diverse groups.
• Importance of Early Knowledge-Building: Discover the necessity of starting knowledge-building in early education to close the comprehension gap between different student demographics effectively.
• Strategies for Building Knowledge: Natalie provides practical advice on constructing knowledge in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of starting early and using engaging, content-rich materials.
• Role of Writing in Learning: Gain insights into how writing significantly boosts learning and retention by helping transfer and retrieve information from long-term memory.
• Curriculum Development: Learn about the pivotal role of adopting content-rich, knowledge-building curricula in schools.

Important Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction of Natalie Wexler and her contributions to education.

04:26 - Explanation of knowledge-building in K-12 education and its significance.

07:10 - Natalie highlights the importance of comprehension and vocabulary alongside phonics in reading education.

18:25 - Discussion on using a content-rich curriculum and the role of teachers.

21:55 - Natalie's advice for district leaders to accelerate reading achievement.

Connect with Natalie Wexler

Website

LinkedIn

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Science of Reading Resources

What You Need to Know About the Science of Reading

A Guide to High-Quality Structured Literacy Materials