Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers
Supported by Great Minds
Melissa & Lori Love Literacy® is a science of reading podcast for teachers who want to understand how reading really works and what that means for classroom instruction. Each month, we explore key topics in the science of reading and literacy instruction through thoughtful conversations with researchers, authors, and classroom teachers who are putting reading research into practice.Melissa & Lori are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters, learning alongside you and asking the same questions teachers everywhere are asking: What does the research say about reading? What does strong literacy instruction actually look like in real classrooms? And how can teachers apply the science of reading in ways that make sense for their students?Through conversations with leading literacy experts and educators from classrooms across the globe, Melissa & Lori help bridge the gap between reading research and day-to-day teaching. Whether you are a classroom teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or school leader, you’ll find clear explanations of science of reading concepts and practical insights for your classroom, school, or district.Topics across the podcast align to science of reading research, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and spelling, along with broader conversations about reading development, multi-tiered systems of support, and supporting struggling readers.If you care about strong reading instruction, evidence-based literacy practices, and helping every student become a successful reader, you’re in the right place.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 10, 2023 • 1h 6min
[LISTEN AGAIN} Ep. 66: Science of Reading Comprehension with Nell Duke
From July 30, 2021 To connect with a practitioner lens, Duke (alongside Ward & Pearson) also penned The Science of Reading Comprehension Instruction. They ask the question: What have decades of research told us about the nature of comprehension and how to develop students’ comprehension in schools? Listen to find out!If you’re enjoying Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, bring us to your school or event.We offer keynotes, presentations, and live podcast-style sessions focused on practical, science of reading–aligned strategies aligned to our podcast and book, The Literacy 50. Email LiteracyPodcast@greatminds.org to learn more.Get free resources and updates at literacypodcast.com.
Nov 7, 2023 • 3min
Episode 168: Quick Q&A: What is Dysgraphia?
What is dysgraphia? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines dysgraphia as referring to difficulty with either language or spelling-based aspects of writing. Dysgraphia impairs letter writing by hand, which can affect spelling, learning to spell words, the speed of writing, reading word recognition, comprehension, and writing processes and products. ResourcesAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association Disorder of Reading and Writing International Dyslexia Association Understanding DysgraphiaIf you’re enjoying Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, bring us to your school or event.We offer keynotes, presentations, and live podcast-style sessions focused on practical, science of reading–aligned strategies aligned to our podcast and book, The Literacy 50. Email LiteracyPodcast@greatminds.org to learn more.Get free resources and updates at literacypodcast.com.
Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 7min
Ep. 167: The Relationship Between Phonics and Language Comprehension with Tiffany Hogan
Researcher Tiffany Hogan discusses the relationship between phonics and language comprehension, emphasizing systematic instruction. They explore components of language, word recognition, assessment challenges, and strategies for teaching. The discussion includes mispronunciations, dyslexia, developmental language disorder, and the importance of supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Nov 1, 2023 • 3min
Episode 166: Quick Q&A: What is Developmental Language Disorder?
What is Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD? Developmental Language Disorder is a brain-based neurodevelopmental diversity - such as autism or dyslexia or dysgraphia. Students with DLD are six times more likely to have reading difficulties. DLD is a brain variation that makes it difficult to learn language from the environment. ResourcesNew IDEA Guidance Includes Developmental Language Disorder as a Qualifying Category by Tiffany P. Hogan, Kelly Farquharson, Karla McGregorDLD and Me Educator Fact Sheet If you’re enjoying Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, bring us to your school or event.We offer keynotes, presentations, and live podcast-style sessions focused on practical, science of reading–aligned strategies aligned to our podcast and book, The Literacy 50. Email LiteracyPodcast@greatminds.org to learn more.Get free resources and updates at literacypodcast.com.
Oct 27, 2023 • 56min
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 128: Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher with Missy Purcell
From October 7, 2022In this episode, we talk with former balanced literacy teacher and parent, Missy Purcell. She authored a blog post titled Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher.Missy writes, “According to Nancy Young’s ladder of reading, roughly 10-15% of kids can figure out reading out with this type of instruction, but my child, who would later be diagnosed with dyslexia, would never be able to become a proficient reader with any version of balanced literacy. He, according to Young, like 85% of students, benefit from or need systematic explicit instruction that follows a scope and sequence with fidelity to become proficient readers and writers.”We want to normalize the idea that most kids CAN learn how to read with structured literacy instruction. ResourcesDear Balanced Literacy Teacher Looking for Heroes: One Boy, One Year, 100 Letters 2nd EditionThese resources from the International Dyslexia Association are helpful to spread the word on social media about October as Dyslexia Awareness Month! If you’re enjoying Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, bring us to your school or event.We offer keynotes, presentations, and live podcast-style sessions focused on practical, science of reading–aligned strategies aligned to our podcast and book, The Literacy 50. Email LiteracyPodcast@greatminds.org to learn more.Get free resources and updates at literacypodcast.com.
Oct 20, 2023 • 42min
Ep. 165: How Brains Learn to Read and Dyslexia with Nadine Gaab
Nadine Gaab, Associate Professor of Education at Harvard, talks about how brains learn to read, debunking dyslexia myths. She emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention for reading difficulties, as well as the challenges in teaching reading. The podcast also discusses the significance of early screening for learning disabilities, pre-screening children in community settings, and the mental health aspect of learning to read.
Oct 13, 2023 • 1h 10min
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 127: Richard Gentry, Dyslexia Expert
From September 30, 2022 Dr. J. Richard Gentry, Dyslexia Expert and the “Guru of Spelling,” joins us on the podcast today to discuss dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability, neurobiological in origin. It’s the #1 reading disability that manifests itself in a continuum. People with dyslexia have difficulty in accurate fluent reading, spelling, and decoding abilities. Dr. Gentry shares his personal story of overcoming dyslexia, how dyslexia affects people, and how teachers can help students with dyslexia in the classroom. If you’re enjoying Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, bring us to your school or event.We offer keynotes, presentations, and live podcast-style sessions focused on practical, science of reading–aligned strategies aligned to our podcast and book, The Literacy 50. Email LiteracyPodcast@greatminds.org to learn more.Get free resources and updates at literacypodcast.com.
Oct 6, 2023 • 47min
Ep. 164: Misconceptions about Learning to Read with Carolyn Strom
Carolyn Strom, a literacy expert, joins Melissa and Lori to debunk misconceptions about how the brain learns to read. They discuss explicit instruction, mapping words instead of memorizing, making drills engaging, the importance of spoken language in comprehension, and the phase of collecting and organizing in children's learning process.
Sep 29, 2023 • 51min
Ep. 163: Mom Advocate Discusses Dyslexia Awareness
This podcast episode features discussions on dyslexia awareness, the struggles and emotional impact on children with dyslexia, the importance of professional learning and quality materials for teachers, the frustration of not implementing effective teaching methods, the journey of a mother creating board games to teach reading, finding the right school for children with dyslexia, supporting struggling readers and empowering teachers with resources and techniques.
Sep 22, 2023 • 1h 14min
[Listen Again] Ep. 109: The Right to Read with Second Language Educator, Kim Lockhart
Canadian French immersion teacher and special educator, Kim Lockhart, discusses meeting the needs of students by removing the three cueing system and focusing on reading science. She models an evidence-based phonics lesson and emphasizes the importance of building language comprehension. The challenges faced by second language learners in French immersion programs are examined, along with the teaching approach for letter sounds and blending drills. The podcast also covers supporting children's education during the pandemic, tier one support for students with pronunciation difficulties, and the passion for literacy and favorite books.
