logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
44m 17s

Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Two—...

Reading Horizons
About this episode

This episode focuses on cracking the alphabetic code in part two of studying the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert by Anne Castles, Kathleen Rastle, and Kate Nation. The discussion emphasizes the significance of spoken language comprehension for young learners and the crucial role of engaging students in the writing system in connecting spoken and written language. Debunking myths about phonics and highlighting the years of practice and instruction needed for reading proficiency, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide where research meets classroom practice. Let’s explore this crucial intersection together in Literacy Talks.


Download the Reading Horizons Discovery Product Guide.

Access past show notes.

Read the transcripts.

Up next
Jun 18
From Mighty to Masterful: Lindsay Kemeny’s Next Chapter
In this special summer bonus episode of Literacy Talks, co-host Lindsay Kemeny steps into the spotlight to share the story behind her newest book, Rock Your Literacy Block. Building on the foundation of Seven Mighty Moves, Lindsay reveals how her latest work takes teachers deeper ... Show More
45m 2s
May 14
From FOMO to Front Row: A Deep Dive into the Reading League Summit
What happens when leading voices in literacy come together—not to lecture, but to listen, question, and grow? In this bonus episode, Donell Pons recaps her experience at the 2025 Reading League Summit, joined by co-hosts Stacy Hurst and Lindsay Kemeny and special guests Kari Kurt ... Show More
50 m
May 1
Season Finale: Highlights, High Points, and Lessons in Structured Literacy
As we wrap up Season 7 of Literacy Talks, we reflect on a powerful journey through the lens of the 75th Anniversary Issue of the International Dyslexia Association. In this special finale, hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny revisit the insights, standout moments, ... Show More
32m 39s
Recommended Episodes
May 16
First Steps to Fluency: How Young Learners Become Independent Readers with Virginia Quinn Mooney
Episode 226In this episode, Virginia discusses the importance of fluency in K-2 grades, emphasizing its role in reading comprehension. She shares strategies for teaching fluency, including within partner reading, read-alouds, and shared reading. Virginia highlights the significan ... Show More
39m 5s
Aug 2024
[Episode 99] From Phonics to Fluency: Inside the RedThread Literacy Program (w/Robin Rubenstein)
In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, our host Dr. Wendy Amato discusses the importance of literacy and reading with Robin Rubenstein, Director of Curriculum and Implementation at K12 Coalition. This conversation centers around K12 Coalition's Red Thread literacy curriculum, ... Show More
22m 34s
May 2024
[Listen Again] Ep. 119: How Reading Science Works for English Learners with Elsa Cardenas-Hagan
From August 5, 2022 Dr. Elsa Cardenas-Hagan joins the podcast to share that reading science works for English Learners. What does it mean to use evidence-based instruction to teach English Learners? Dr. Cardenas-Hagan asserts that every language has its own history, its own cultu ... Show More
1h 4m
Feb 2024
3.10 Effective Vocabulary Strategies in Literacy Intervention
Imagine being a learner who is new to English. Someone says to you, "Can you lend me a hand?” Imagine what that learner is processing. First, it’s a question. Second, think about the word lend. Do I know what that means? Third, lend a hand. Does that mean they literally want one ... Show More
1h 2m
Apr 2024
Ep. 191: Teaching Spelling is Teaching Reading with Pam Kastner
 Pam Kastner discusses the connection between spelling and reading. She emphasizes that teaching spelling is teaching reading, as spelling is a higher linguistic skill that requires complete and accurate recall and memory for words. Spelling helps students understand the internal ... Show More
40m 7s
Apr 2019
Improving Encoding Instruction
Send us a textShannon and Mary discuss a professional article, "Why Phonics Teaching Must Change" published in Educational Leadership, September, 2008 by Jeannine Herron. They talk about a different approach to teaching students to read.  What if we focus more on encoding rather ... Show More
38m 32s
Sep 2021
Ep. 70: Science of Reading Part 1: Decodable Texts, Sound Walls, & the Aim of Early Literacy
What are we aiming to accomplish in early reading instruction? Dr. Julia Lindsey asks this  as she tackles topics such as decoding, decodable texts, sound walls, and more. We discuss the role of instruction and how that pushes a child to be better instead of keeping them at the s ... Show More
47m 30s
Dec 2021
Ep. 87: "I'm a Kindergarten Teacher, and the Way I've Been Teaching Reading is Wrong"
We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)In today’s episode, Kate Winn, a teacher, freelance writer and TV guest, and wife and mom to two girls, joins us on the podcast to share how after 20 years of ... Show More
36m 43s
Feb 2022
[Listen Again] Ep. 23: Emily Hanford Epically Defines the Science of Reading
We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Hi Literacy Lovers! This week we wanted to offer you all a chance to listen to one of our favorite episodes from when we just started the podcast. The absolute ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2022
Does Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis & Comprehensible Input Work for Learning Mandarin Chinese?
My eBook: https://www.peakmandarin.com/free-ebook Links: To learn more about the UK Mandarin immersion retreats visit: https://mandarinretreat.com/ Blog with information about the immersion retreats: http://imlearningmandarin.com/2022/08/14/i-tasted-full-immersion-for-the-first-t ... Show More
1h 3m