Shanahan on Literacy

Latest Episodes:

Isn’t Independent Reading a Research-Based Practice? Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

It makes sense that giving students lots of time at school to read independently, right? This podcast explores that idea and reveals why it isn't the way to go.

When Sisyphus was in First Grade or One Minute Reading Homework Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

This podcast explores a parent's homework complaint. Her first grader is to do a 1-minute read each evening, and parents are to time it and calculate words correct per minute. Is this a good idea or something more nefarious? Tune in and find out.

Seatwork that Makes Sense for Reading Aug 31, 2024

Show notes

Usually reading seatwork is work aimed at keeping kids busy rather than teaching them. This podcast suggests some ways to make seatwork a plus rather than a minus when it comes to reading achievement.

The Science of Reading Versus the Art of Teaching Reading Aug 24, 2024

Show notes

With all of the emphasis these days on a "science of reading," is there any place for the idea of an "art of teaching?" This presentation explains the role that these two sources of success play and how they may work together.

Print-to-Speech or Speech-to-Print? That Is the Question. Aug 17, 2024

Show notes

There are arguments in reading circles about the best way to teach phonics -- should the focus be on decoding from print to speech (like someone sounding out a word) or from speech to print (like someone trying to spell). This podcast will explore the evidence on both sides.

Should We Teach Graphicacy? Aug 03, 2024

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This podcast explores the value of teaching students to read the graphics in content area texts. Although pictures can distract from the word reading of young children, as they confront more complex texts they will need to learn how to interpret the graphics and this podcast suggests how that might be accomplished.

FAQs on Fluency Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

This podcast provides answers to frequently asked questions about fluency instruction. It considers why we teach fluency, how we can teach it effectively, the kinds of books to use, how to match kids for paired reading, how fluent kids need to be, how much fluency instruction to provide. If you want some quick advice on how to teach fluency this is the podcast for you.

What Do We Do with Above Grade Level Readers? Jul 13, 2024

Show notes

Research shows that students are best taught with challenging texts -- texts that in the past would have been deemed "frustration level" and eschewed for instruction. Teaching with grade level texts ensures that students will reach the levels of literacy needed for full participation in society. Teaching with grade levels texts makes sense, but what do we do with students who already can read grade level or higher texts? This podcasts provides some suggestions.

Does a Four-day Week Mean Lower Reading Scores? Jun 29, 2024

Show notes

Many school districts are considering going to a 4-day school week. This would help solve their problem in getting substitutes, reduce lunch program costs, and make many of their employees happy. But what will it do to reading achievement? This podcast explores the research on instructional time and 4-day school weeks.

What about Tracing and Other Multi-Sensory Teaching Approaches? Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

Many phonics proponents claim that the best way to teach phonics is multi-sensorilly with tracing and similar activities. This podcast reveals what research studies have to say about those claims.

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