Shanahan on Literacy

Latest Episodes:

When Should Reading Instruction Begin? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

If you would like to get into a good argument, tell someone when reading instruction should begin. I'm always surprised at how many people have an opinion on that topic, and how vociferously they sometimes share it. This podcast will reveal what we know about the best time to start teaching reading -- maybe it will help you the next time you're in that argument -- but it will likely be of more value to parents and primary grade teachers.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Curriculum Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

This podcast explores the unfortunate implications of confusing curriculum and instruction. Teachers would do better to distinguish those concepts and to coordinate the one with the other.

Should We Be Using "Words Correct Per Minute"? Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

Reading ability is often measured through oral reading fluency. These days that means having students read passages aloud and counting the numbers of words per minute read accurately. While this has value, it can lead teachers to encourage reading speed over the other elements of fluency (accuracy and prosody). It is important to remember that speed and automaticity are not the same thing, though we use speed as a proxy for the latter. This podcast reviews research that suggests another possibility for evaluating automaticity.

What Teachers Need to Know about Sentence Comprehension Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

For years, teachers were told that teaching English grammar had no impact on reading comprehension or quality of writing. A more recent substantial body of evidence reveals the importance of sentence comprehension in comprehension. This podcast examines that evidence and makes instructional suggestions that can help increase reading achievement.

Literacy Charities for 2026 Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Each year, Shanahan on Literacy identifies the highest rated national, regional, and international Literacy Charities. Find out which ones you want to help -- and which might be a source of support for your students and school.

Won’t Challenging Texts Discourage Young Readers? Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

Research indicates that teaching reading at students' "reading levels" provides no advantages and may do harm when it comes to learning. However, many teachers are less worried about learning, and more concerned about the impact teaching with complex text may have on students' classroom behavior and motivation for reading. This podcast explores those concerns.

Whole Books or Excerpts? Which Do the Most to Promote Reading Ability Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

Recently, there have been claims that reading achievement is being suppressed because schools are teaching reading with excerpts and other short pieces rather than with complete books. These critics say that they want to go back to a time when reading was taught with complete books. This podcast explores those claims and reveals what research has to say on the matter.

Don’t Confuse Reading Comprehension and Learning to Read (and to Reread) Oct 25, 2025

Show notes

Are we making our instructional decisions based upon comprehension data or learning data? Is our purpose to make sure that students gain immediate comprehension of the instructional text or is it to improve kids' reading ability so they will be more successful with future texts? The answer might surprise you.

Considering Running Records, and No, I Don’t Beat My Wife Anymore Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

I've argued against teaching reading at students' instructional levels. Does that mean that I'm against running records and informal reading inventories? What could such tests possibly provide if you aren't teaching with leveled books? This podcast will answer those questions and many more.

What Role Should Pictures Play in Teaching Reading? Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

This podcast explores the role that pictures play in teaching decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

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