Reading Road Trip

Season 2 of Reading Road Trip closes out with a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Buckingham. Kate and Jennifer dig into reading science - what do teachers really need to know? From syllable types to comprehension strategies, linguistic terms to cognitive science, this episode distinguishes between what is a "need to know" and what is "nice to know."    Dr. Jennifer Buckingham is the director of strategy and senior research fellow at MultiLit, and is the founder and director of the Five from Five Literacy Project.   Show Notes: Jennifer's research report, Need to Know or Nice to Know, explores many of the topics discussed in the episode Kate also mentioned Jennifer's blog Don't Discard Comprehension Strategies Jennifer brought up Dr. Daniel Willingham's blog, Can Children be Taught to Comprehend What They Read?  

In this week's episode, Kate chats with Dr. Steve Graham about all things writing. Dr. Graham highlights the importance of handwriting and spelling, and unpacks evidence-based strategy instruction to build strong writers.   Show Notes:  Steve is an author and editor of many books, including Best Practices in Writing Instruction and Writing Better Steve and his co-author Dolores Perin explore many of the evidence-based strategies discussed in this episode in Writing Next, a meta-analysis on effective writing instruction Learn more about Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) at thinkSRSD, or with the books Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students or Building Comprehension in Adolescents

Kate chats with Dr. Jack Fletcher this week, unpacking all things dyslexia: Risk factors and prevention, dyslexia vs dysteachia, instructional tips, wait-to-fail, and dyslexia myths and misconceptions.   Show Notes: Learn more about some of the articles Jack mentioned: The importance of early reading intervention (Lovett et al., 2017) Problems with dyslexia identification models (Scientific American) Helping children with significant reading problems (Vaughn & Fletcher, 2023) Identifying and teaching students with significant reading problems - including 18 common misunderstandings of dyslexia (Vaughn & Fletcher, 2020-2021) The role of instruction in learning to read: Preventing reading failure in at-risk children (Foorman et al., 1998) The Good Behaviour Game  Anxiety and reading (Grills-Taquechel et al., 2012)

Kate chats with Clara Fiorentini this week. Tune in to explore novels in the classroom: how class novel studies fit into structured literacy, how complex text can be scaffolded, using "read-alikes" to choose texts, and avoiding the perils of "extractitis" - don't miss this thoughtful conversation about chapter books! Clara is the president of the Literacy Association of Ireland and a lecturer in initial teacher education at Marino Institute of Education. She is wrapping up her Ph.D. research on current trends in Irish preschool literacy practice. Catch Clara at her blog, on Instagram, and on Twitter.   Show Notes: Clara talks about the Matthew effect, an influential paper from Dr. Keith Stanovich that highlights that with early reading, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Take a look at the open-access paper here. Dr. Tim Shanahan has several blogs about the importance of using complex text in reading instruction. Clara mentions Reading for Pleasure from the Open University - see more here. The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction, an article by Nell Duke, Alessandra Ward and David Pearson, can be found here. Learn more about book tastings on Clara's blog.

This week Kate talks to Kristin Conradi Smith, Tammy Williams, and Ellen Frackelton about research-based comprehension strategies for the classroom, including considerations for text selection and preparation, common pitfalls to avoid and “use it tomorrow” ideas. Bottom line: no more strategy of the week!   Show Notes: Kristin, Ellen and Tammy co-wrote the open-access article "No More Strategy of the Week": Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the Book. Find it here. In this PaTTAN webinar, Hugh Catts discusses the multidimensional nature of reading comprehension sharing how educators need to frame reading comprehension and provide meaningful instruction. Dr. Catts also wrote this article for American Educator, Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension Kristin mentions this video from Reading Rockets, where Dr. Sharon Walpole walks through comprehension as building meaning and not finding the correct answer Bookworms is a free set of instructional resources mentioned in the episode Ellen brings up this blog post by Dr. Tim Shanahan, where he highlights that "reading comprehension should be taught with texts that are worth reading, texts from which we want students to gain knowledge."

In this week's episode, Kate welcomes Kareem Weaver for a candid conversation about the role of literacy in equity, and some myths and misconceptions as strive for the goal of literacy for all.   Kareem Weaver is a co-founder and executive director of FULCRUM and is also the Oakland NAACP's Second Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee. Kareem's advocacy is featured in the film The Right to Read. Mr. Weaver was an award-winning teacher and administrator. He has undergraduate degrees from Morehouse College and a Master's in Clinical Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Weaver believes in the potential of all students, the brotherhood of man, and the importance of service above self.

This week, Kate chats with Dr. Deb Glaser about the second edition of Next STEPS for Literacy Instruction, co-authored with Dr. Susan Smartt. Kate and Deb unpack how to use valid and reliable assessments to shape effective literacy instructions, particularly through the Next STEPS framework: Set-up, Teach, Engage, Practice, and Show You Know. Deb's knowledge and experience in structured literacy is both broad and deep: she is the author of the Reading Teacher's Top Ten Tools online course, Morpheme Magic, and Morphemes for Little Ones.   Show Notes: The second edition of Next STEPS for Literacy Instruction is now available! ONlit.org has created a slide deck in both English and French to support schools, districts and boards to use this excellent text for a book study. Small group instruction is a powerful tool to support stronger literacy outcomes. Deb mentioned the research of Dr. Barbara Foorman and Dr. Joe Torgesen - read more here.   IDA Ontario is a registered charity, and we depend on your donations to support our programs, including Reading Road Trip. Please consider donating to support this work. 

Kate welcomes Catherine Shawana, a member of Wiikwemkoong unceded territory, for a candid discussion about her First Nation school's journey from balanced literacy to structured literacy, as well as a broader conversation about First Nations education. Catherine's passions are rooted in the foundation of building Anishnawbek identity and establishing a connection to Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being. She believes this strength-based identity work is necessary for all students to develop a positive sense of identity and to understand. We all have a community of stories waiting to be told and heard.   Show Notes: Catherine mentioned that the Right to Read report contains not only recommendations for improving practice in Ontario, but also a historical context of First Nations, Métis and Inuit experiences. Read more here.    Throughout the episode, Catherine referenced several past IDA Ontario webinars and workshops: Kareem Weaver joined IDA Ontario's Right to Read Symposium, discussing barriers to educational equity Kate, along with Nellie Caruso and Leigh Fettes, unpacked universal screening in their classrooms in the Becoming a Literacy Leader series Dr. Stephanie Stollar joined IDA Ontario for a day-long workshop on the foundations of MTSS All past recordings of webinars and workshops can be found on our YouTube channel!   Catherine "binge listened" to the Amplify Science of Reading podcast, hosted by Susan Lambert.   Kate mentioned Dr. Rudine Sims Bishops' metaphor of 'mirrors, windows and sliding doors' - see the paper where she originally coined the phrase, as well as a more recent video of her discussing diversity in books and the authors who write them   IDA Ontario is a registered charity, and we depend on your donations to support our programs, including Reading Road Trip. Please consider donating to support this work. 

This week, Kate is joined by Nancy Chapel Eberhardt to discuss all things syntax. A key element of language comprehension, equipping students with an understanding of syntax is key to supporting strong reading and writing skills! Take a listen to learn more about how syntax develops and how to best teach this domain of language.   Nancy Chapel Eberhardt is the coauthor of Sortegories 3.0, a web-based app designed to provide practice for essential early literacy skills. She serves as a member of the International Dyslexia Association's Perspectives on Language and Literacy editorial board and is a board member of the Reading League Connecticut chapter.   Show Notes: Nancy is a wealth of knowledge! Here are links to the fantastic resources she mentions in this episode: Sortegories 3.0 Literacy How: Syntax Knowledge to Practice course and book, co-authored with Dr. Margie Gillis Cheryl Scott article: A Case for the Sentence in Reading Comprehension Oakhill, Cain & Elbro book: Understanding and Teaching Reading Comprehension Coh-Metrix, a tool that analyzes text through measuring word frequency, sentence length, cohesion, and syntactic complexity Hochman & Wexler book: The Writing Revolution Saddler book: Teacher's Guide to Effective Sentence Writing Jennings & Haynes book: From Talking to Writing The cohesion circle Nancy mentions is described in this article from Perspectives on Language & Literacy by Haynes, Smith and Laud Melinda Hinch, SLP from Greater Essex County DSB, has aligned the teaching materials from the Syntax Project to the Ontario B3 Language Conventions continuum. PELI (Preschool Early Literacy Indicators) screening assessment CFOL (Comprehension, Fluency & Oral Language) diagnostic assessment Hennessy book: The Reading Comprehension Blueprint Coming January 2024:

Season 2 of Reading Road Trip kicks off with Emily Hanford! Join Kate Winn to get the inside scoop on Emily's reporting work on the science of reading, including the incredibly popular podcast Sold a Story. Emily unpacks her journey into reporting on literacy instruction, how Sold a Story was made, and how she responds to critics.     Show Notes: Emily's articles and podcasts through APM Reports have shone a light on reading instruction, and have catalyzed conversations and changes to literacy instruction across the world: Hard Words: Why aren't kids being taught to read? At a Loss for Words: How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers What the Words Say: Many kids struggle with reading - and children of color are far less likely to get the help they need   Kate and Emily discuss Sold a Story, the incredibly popular podcast Emily created with Christopher Peak. If you haven't yet listened, check out the six episodes and two bonus episodes.   Kate also mentions a webinar series about structured literacy in kindergarten from Emily Moorhead, an Ontario kindergarten teacher and IDA Ontario volunteer. Take a look at the first, second and third parts of the recordings.   IDA Ontario is a registered charity, and we depend on your donations to support our programs, including Reading Road Trip. Please consider donating to support this work. 

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

In the Season 1 finale, you get to ask the questions! Kate Winn and Una Malcolm answer listener questions, sharing their thoughts on sound spelling walls to structured literacy in older grades. Stay tuned to the end for the answer to the most common question - will there be a Season 2 of Reading Road Trip?   Show Notes: In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we hope to amplify the work of an Indigenous artist in each episode by recommending a picture book. This week's book recommendation is Shi-shi-etko, written by Nicola Campbell and illustrated by Kim LaFave. It is available at GoodMinds, a First Nations family-owned bookstore passionate about Indigenous education. Kate wrote a free lesson plan, featuring explicit instruction of Tier 2 vocabulary words. Find the lesson plan here. Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Concha Wyatt hosted a helpful webinar that unpacks options for structured literacy training.  The International Dyslexia Association has a rigorous accreditation process, and maintains a list of accredited teacher training programs. IDA also has the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading, which highlight all things educators should know and be able to do to ensure all children receive evidence-based structured literacy instruction. Kate uses the Letter Form Assessment, from Dr. Karen Ray, which can be found here.  

Kate 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 from Syria? Diana is a former high school French Immersion teacher, and is now a doctoral candidate in Developmental Psychology and Education at the University of Toronto. She can be found on Twitter and at her website.   Show Notes: Diana works in the Multilingualism and Literacy Lab, led by Dr. Becky Chen, and will soon be working in the Multilingual Families Lab at the University of Alberta led by Dr. Andrea MacLeod. Take a look at the list Kate compiled of the chapter books she read to her class at snacktime to build vocabulary. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support your discussions.

This week, Kate is joined by Dr. Carolyn Strom for a conversation about the reading brain. What are the neural underpinnings of how students learn to read? How can research in this field help us in the classroom? Carolyn is a clinical assistant professor of Early Childhood Literacy at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development. Her work is focused on bridging the divide between scientific research and instructional practices. You can find her on Twitter and at her website.   Show Notes: Carolyn's A Tale of Three Cities is an analogy that helps clarify the neural circuitry involved in language and literacy. For a visual representation, take a look at the diagram. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book The Sharing Circle by Theresa (Corky) Larsen-Jonasson, illustrated by Jessica Von Innerebner. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support your discussions.

Kate welcomes Dr. Daryl Michel for a candid discussion on literacy coaching and PD. As we look to the beginning of a new school year, and as many systems plan structured literacy teacher PD, how can we create meaningful professional learning opportunities that lead to strong student and teacher outcomes?   Dr. Daryl Michel is the founder of Be A Change, LLC, and a lifelong educator who is passionate about engaging with others to learn, teach, and inspire while appreciating and advocating for voices and perspectives to be heard. Find Daryl on Twitter or at his website.   Daryl’s book, Student-Focused Coaching, co-authored with Jan Hasbrouck, is a fantastic resource for instructional coaches, but also for all educators focused on supporting the learning of colleagues.    The book outlines the three main coaching roles—Facilitator, Collaborative Problem-Solver, and Teacher/Learner—and provides tools to build strong professional relationships with all educators. It covers various aspects of coaching, including improving communication, setting and achieving goals, utilizing data in an MTSS model, and supporting administrators. The book also includes practical materials for coaches, such as worksheets, checklists, and self-assessment tools.   In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book Birdsong, written and illustrated by Julie Flett.   Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support your discussions.

This week, Kate and guest Renata Archie dive into early reading screening: what is it, why is it needed, and most importantly, how it can inform instruction. Renata is a doctoral student in reading science, and an Academic Intervention Services Coordinator for New York City Department of Education where she supports educators and leaders with assessment, data analysis, and instruction. Renata can be found on Twitter.   In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book Be a Good Ancestor, written by Leona and Gabrielle Prince, and illustrated by Carla Joseph.   Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support any discussion

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck joins the podcast this week, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience on reading fluency. Together, Kate and Jan unpack fluency - what is it, how educators can provide instruction that supports reading fluency, and common misconceptions. You can find Jan on her website and Twitter page.   Jan has written several excellent books, including Student-Focused Coaching and Conquering Dyslexia. Curious about oral reading rate? Jan and her colleague Dr. Gerald Tindal published oral reading rate norms for student in grades 1 to 6. Jan mentioned a recent study by White et al. (2021) that investigated the link between oral reading rate and comprehension on the NAEP assessment.   In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock, written by Dallas Hunt, and illustrated by Amanda Strong. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support any discussion

This week, Kate has a conversation with Lindsay Kemeny, a primary teacher from Utah and author of the brand-new book 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-To-3 Reading Success. You can find Lindsay on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Lindsay’s book, 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-to-3 Reading Success, is a must-read! Lindsay and Kate have both used a partner reading and paragraph shrinking instructional routine for classwide fluency and comprehension building. Lindsay’s webinar for PaTTAN gives a nice overview of this research-backed strategy. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book Dancing With Our Ancestors, written by Sara Florence Davidson and Robert Davidson, and illustrated by Janine Gibbons. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support any discussion

Kate is joined by Dr. Holly Lane, professor and researcher at the University of Florida, and creator of the UFLI Foundations program. Together, Kate and Holly unpack some of the considerations for teaching foundational word reading and spelling skills. Dr. Holly Lane is the Director of the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), an associate professor of special education, and co-author of the UFLI Foundations program. Holly's research focuses on effective practices for reading instruction and intervention. Holly can be found on Twitter. UFLI Foundations is a systematic and explicit phonics program. With a scope and sequence for kindergarten to grade 2 students, the program is carefully designed to support educators in providing effective early reading and spelling instruction. The program is composed of a manual (available from Canadian, American, and Australian vendors) as well as free online lesson resources. Are you a UFLI user? Join the UFLI Foundations Community group on Facebook! In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book Oolichan Moon, written by Samantha Beynon and illustrated by Lucy Trimble. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support any discussion.

Kate Winn welcomes Dr. Sonia Cabell for a candid discussion about five key research-based elements of early language and literacy instruction for young children. Dr. Sonia Cabell is an Associate Professor of Education at Florida State University and the Florida Center for Reading Research. Sonia's research focuses on early language and literacy instruction for young children, particularly as a preventative approach to support equity in future reading and writing. You can find Sonia on Twitter. Sonia’s Books: Literacy Learning for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers: Key Practices for Educators Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy The Rising Star Scaffolding Guide, written by Sonia and her co-authors, is a great resource for Kate in her classroom as she supports young writers. The Florida Center for Reading Research is a treasure trove of free resources for educators. Kate hosted a phenomenal webinar for IDA Ontario, Structured Literacy in Kindergarten: 5 Key Changes That Made All My Students Readers. Curious how Kate did it? Catch the webinar recording and materials. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we are amplifying the work of an Indigenous creator in every episode. This week’s pick is the picture book It’s a Mitig by Bridget George. Are you an educator listening to Reading Road Trip with your colleagues? Use our Podcast Discussion Guide to support any discussion.