Science of Reading: The Podcast

Judith Hochman, Ed.D., co-author of 'The Writing Revolution' and a veteran educator, engages in a riveting discussion about the critical links between writing and reading skills. She shares her journey in transforming writing instruction, emphasizing that effective teaching transcends mere assignment of tasks. Hochman provides insight into foundational sentence structure for young learners, innovative instructional strategies, and the broader implications of enhanced writing on literacy. Listeners will appreciate her actionable tips for elevating writing in classrooms.

In this discussion, Jane Ashby, Ph.D., a professor at Mount St. Joseph University and expert in reading science, delves into the concept of 'settled science' and its implications for teaching phonology. She emphasizes the significance of phonology in reading comprehension and vocabulary growth, arguing for practical teaching methods over the latest research trends. Ashby also introduces insightful strategies for helping students transfer oral skills to literacy tasks, making a compelling case for the lasting impact of phonemic awareness on literacy development.

In this episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert is joined by Tiffany Hogan, a professor at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, who studies the connections among speech and language and literacy across time in children. Together, Susan and Dr. Hogan explore the complexities of language, the components that form language, and the significance of language for literacy. Dr. Hogan explains Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)—its characteristics, its prevalence, and the challenges in recognizing it. She emphasizes the importance of supporting children with DLD and the role of educators in making a difference long-term. She also provides listeners with effective strategies for supporting children with oral language deficits, offers insights into the relationship between background knowledge and language, and answers questions from our listener mailbag.Show notes: Connect with Tiffany HoganX: @tiffanyphoganFacebook: sailliteracylabInstagram: @seehearspeakpodcastPodcast: seehearspeakpodcast.comResourcesWebsite: DLDandMe.org Read: A Review of Screeners to Identify Risk of Developmental Language DisorderWebsite: Raising Awareness of Developmental Language DisorderListen: SeeHearSpeak podcast with Tiffany HoganPolicy Paper: If we don’t look, we won’t see: Measuring language development to inform literacy instructionListen: Focused implementation: Doing less to do more, with Doug Reeves, Ph.D.Join our community Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/scienceofreadingConnect with Susan Lambert: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-lambert-b1512761/Listen to Beyond My Years: Building an education network to make change, starring A. Simone McQuaige.Quotes: “Neurodiversity means that we have lots of different ways to think, and we each come to the table with different brain structures” –Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D. ”Oral language difficulties are a crystal ball into reading comprehension” –Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.“You, as an educator, can be the one that really makes a difference for that child. It only takes one person to make a huge difference in the life of a child” –Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.Episode timestamps*02:00 Introduction: Who is Tiffany Hogan?04:00 Defining language05:00 Language development and its Impact on literacy10:00 Variability in language learning11:00 Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)18:00 Challenges in Identifying and Supporting DLD20:00 The Importance of Vision Screening21:00 Universal Screeners for DLD24:00 Listener mailbag: How can educators most effectively help students with oral language deficits in early childhood prepare and develop literacy?28:00 The Connection Between Language and Background Knowledge30:00 Understanding DLD and Its Challenges33:00 The Role of Speech Language Pathologists35:00 Final Thoughts

Natalie Wexler, an education writer and author focused on literacy instruction, joins Susan Lambert to discuss her new book. They delve into the importance of connecting literacy instruction to cognitive science, emphasizing the limitations of phonics alone. Natalie explains cognitive load theory's practical application in teaching reading and writing. She shares effective strategies for implementing evidence-based approaches in classrooms and how to inspire colleagues to embrace these innovative methods.

A. Simone McQuaige, district leader driving research-based literacy and community partnerships. Jamie Vannoy, kindergarten teacher advancing evidence-backed instruction for at-risk learners. Elizabeth Caton, coach aligning classroom practice to strong tier 1 programs. Amber Hines, district literacy leader using sound walls and Scarborough’s rope. They discuss practical, award-winning ways to bring evidence-based literacy into schools and classrooms.

Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year from Tennessee, shares her extensive experience as an ESL teacher and advocate for families. She emphasizes the power of mentorship and collaboration among educators. Testerman discusses the importance of being flexible in teaching and connecting with communities. She tackles challenges like the 'who knows best' dynamic in education and the necessity of self-care for teachers. Most importantly, she inspires others to embrace new perspectives and prioritize relationship-building with families and students.

Ioulia Kovelman, Ph.D., is a developmental cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Michigan, specializing in literacy development for neurodiverse and multilingual students. She highlights how children's brains adapt during reading and the unique challenges faced by dyslexic learners. Ioulia emphasizes the importance of personalized literacy instruction and how different languages engage various cognitive 'muscles.' Ultimately, she underscores the collaborative relationship between scientists, teachers, and students in advancing literacy education.

In this engaging conversation, Susanne Nobles, Chief Academic Officer at ReadWorks and expert in educational research, discusses the importance of making high-quality texts accessible to all students. She highlights the value of the Article-A-Day program, which enhances students' knowledge and vocabulary while supporting teachers. Nobles emphasizes how children can discern quality in texts and shares insights on creating Spanish-English materials for bilingual learners. She offers thoughtful advice on ensuring text quality to foster a genuine love for reading.

Lori Josephson, a literacy specialist and author of "Calling All Neurons! How Reading and Spelling Happen," explores the fascinating connection between neurons and literacy. She shares her journey in creating an accessible resource about the neuroscience of reading. Lori discusses the importance of involving everyone in a student's literacy journey and offers strategies for helping older elementary students who struggle with foundational skills. This engaging conversation bridges the gap between reading and spelling, emphasizing innovative approaches to literacy education.

Hugh Catts, Ph.D., a professor at Florida State University specializing in language sciences and language disorders, dives into the complexities of comprehension. He argues that comprehension isn't just a reading skill but a multifaceted condition shaped by prior knowledge and intention. With personal ties to dyslexia, he offers insights on the significance of background knowledge and practical strategies to enhance student understanding. Hugh emphasizes the importance of coherent text and the interplay of vocabulary for better comprehension.