Literacy Talks

138 Episodes

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Episode 138:Dyslexia in the Classroom: What to Look For and How to Help

2026-11-0447:53

Show NotesDyslexia is one of the most common reasons students struggle to learn to read, yet misconceptions about what it is—and what it isn't—persist. In this episode, Donell and Stacy discuss the International Dyslexia Association's updated definition of dyslexia and what it tells us about the range of challenges students may experience. They explore early indicators, including difficulties with letter-sound knowledge, phonological awareness, reading fluency, and spelling, as well as the im...

Episode 137: Teaching Irregular Words: What Works and Why

2026-10-2856:15

Episode Description What's the most effective way to teach students to read and spell irregular words? In this episode, Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay examine new research comparing Heart Word instruction and mispronunciation correction, two approaches that help students connect sounds and spellings rather than rely on memorization. They unpack the findings, discuss what the research means for classroom instruction, and share practical strategies for helping students become more accurate, confid...

Episode 136: Making Reading Gains Stick: The Middle School Challenge | The Braxton Story, Part 2

2026-10-2137:25

Show Notes In this follow-up to Episode 127, Donell Pons and Lindsay Kemeny reconnect with Kristie Nelson to hear how her son Braxton is progressing after being identified with dyslexia. While targeted reading intervention has led to encouraging gains, the transition to middle school has brought new challenges. The conversation explores why continued foundational reading instruction matters, how accommodations and self-advocacy support student success, and what educators and families can do t...

Episode 135: What We Learned at The Reading League's 10th Annual Conference

2026-10-1550:10

Fresh from The Reading League's 10th Annual Conference in Chicago, Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy share the research, ideas, and classroom strategies that caught their attention. From the growing influence of AI to the importance of oral language, reading comprehension, and explicit instruction, the trio explores what excited them, what surprised them, and what left them with more questions. Whether you attended the conference or couldn't make it, this Conference Rewind brings valuable insights ...

Episode 134: What’s Hot, What’s Not, and What Matters in Literacy

2026-10-0851:17

Show Notes This episode was inspired by the 30th annual What’s Hot in Literacy survey, which asks literacy leaders to consider both the topics receiving attention in the field and those that deserve more. Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy use the findings as a jumping-off point to examine where literacy conversations are focused—and what may be getting overlooked. Resources Mentioned What’s Hot in Literacy at 30: Trends, Tensions, and Trajectories in a Changing Field Stephanie Grote-Garcia, Evan O...

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