TRT Podcast#8: 4 things you can do to get started with the science of reading
Does learning about the science of reading feel overwhelming? Here are four simple things you can do to get started!
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Full episode transcript
Hello, it's Anna from the Measured Mom, and today I want to share four things you can do to get started learning about the science of reading.
Number one, acquaint yourself with The Reading League. The Reading League is a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping all teachers understand the science of reading. This is their mission statement: "The purpose of The Reading League is to increase knowledge of science-based approaches to teach reading as well as research that demystifies how people learn to benefit the lives of millions of students. We train and support educators and school leaders. By extension, we also serve parents, specialists, and researchers. We believe all children deserve to learn to read and all teachers can teach them."
I love the Reading League because it always comes at things from a non-judgmental approach. They have lots of free resources, as well as recorded webinars that you can purchase, but you can start by reading their Defining Guide, which is free online, and gives a simple look at what the science of reading is and is not.
If you have room in your budget, you can purchase some of those webinars I mentioned, or sign up for their journal, which is the most readable, accessible journal I've ever received. I love it. If nothing else, check out their YouTube channel and watch the free trainings. So that's number one, to check out The Reading League.
Number two, begin reading a simple accessible book about the science of reading. If you're not sure where to begin, listen to our next episode because that's where I'm going to talk about some simple books to get you started.
Number three, start listening to science of reading podcasts, which you are obviously already doing, because you are listening to this one! I would head to the show notes for this episode so you can get a list of the others that I've found, and add them to your podcast player.
Here are some that I have discovered that I think you will like. Literacy Talks, Melissa and Lori Love Literacy, Amplify, Teaching Reading and Learning (which is the Reading League podcast), EDVIEW 360, and Reading Teachers Lounge. If you know of more science of reading podcasts that I did not mention, I'd love for you to leave those in the comment section of the show notes.
Number four, join a reputable science of reading Facebook group so you have a place to ask questions. Maybe you've heard of the big Facebook group, "Science of Reading: What I Should Have Learned in College." Now, the group has gotten very, very big, and you know, of course, that the bigger a group gets, the more drama you might find and the more difficult it becomes to sort between helpful and unhelpful comments, but the moderators in this group are really dedicated to making it a place where you can learn so they work really hard to only, I think, approve questions they think will be helpful, and then they also moderate the answers. So it's a great place to go, and I recommend joining that one or a similar one.
Quick recap, the four things you can do to get started learning about the science of reading: get acquainted with The Reading League, begin reading a simple accessible book, start listening to more science of reading podcasts, and join a reputable science of reading Facebook group.
In our next episode, I'll be sharing easy books to get you started with the science of reading. You can find the show notes for today's episode at themeasuredmom.com/episode8.
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Resources mentioned in this episode
- The Reading League website
- The Reading League’s Science of Reading: Defining Guide
- The Science of Reading: What I Should Have Learned in College (Facebook group).
- Science of Reading podcasts
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Annette Olenski
Thank you, this is a different approach to teaching with a lot of flexibility. These ideas are helpful as we are looking forward to a new type of classroom and teaching special education students.
Arlene
We live in a 2 bedroom apartment with no backyard and have a 3 year old, an 8 year old and an 11 year old. And we’re trying to stay sane during this homeschooling time. My 8 year old requires my full attention for all of his assignments. As soon as I walk away to help my 11 year old or to get lunch started, he gets easily distracted and walks away from his assignment to go play or to make my 3 year old cry. I get upset at him because it takes him about 6 hours to complete all of his assignments for the day. He takes about 3 hours just to finish his math assignment. I don’t have time for myself or time to clean something or to cook lunch/dinner. I get frustrated. The energy I have daily all goes to my 8 year old. By the time we’re done, I’m mentally drained. I then don’t feel like doing anything else. I can’t be the only one feeling this way?
Anna G
Oh my heart goes out to you, Arlene! A small apartment with no backyard is not ideal when you’re stuck at home! I guess my first tip would be to have your 11-year-old start the day playing with the 3-year-old for X number of minutes. Then tackle the part of your 8-year-old’s work that is most difficult for him to stay focused on. If you’re sitting right there and insisting that he do each problem one by one, does that help? I’m not there so I can’t see how this is going, but is it actually possible to get the math work done in 30 minutes? I would set a reasonable goal for him getting it done (with you sitting there) and then give a reward when he finishes it in that time frame.
Cherie Priel
Your stuff is amazing and all the things you do to help us, as educators, parents and students. The amount of time you put in is incredible. I love your stuff!!! Thanks for sharing your passion with all of us.
Anna G
Thank you so much, Cherie!
Anne
Thanks Anna your article was fantastic and inspirational.
Keep up the amazing work you share with us.
Anna G
I’m so glad this was helpful, Anne!
Bhavana Rastogi
That was inspiring and thank you for this. I needed to read something like this.
Anna G
I’m so glad it was helpful, Bhavana!
Bette Mroz
Anna, I,too, have often recommended your website in my column SUPPORTING SUPER STUDENTS and on my website http://www.supportingsuperstudents.org.
Now, I must recommend your Podcasts. I appreciate your telling us where we can listen to them. I especially appreciate the transcripts since I am hearing handicapped working with a cochlear implant and sometimes, the hearing is difficult and I miss things.
Just thank you for all. Bless you in your faith and witnessing to others.
Our God is good!
Sincerely,
Bette
Anna G
Thank you for sharing, Bette, and for your encouragement!
Suzette
I liked your webcast, however I cannot send this podcast to public school children due to the religious content.
Anna G
Understood! Thanks for understanding that my faith is important to me, and while it’s not a focus of my podcast, small mentions will occur here and there.❤️
Rebecca
Thank you so much for your information!
I have no children at home anymore, but I’m a special education teacher trying to help my students from a distance. I have forwarded many resources, including yours!
Just a thought about exercise. I turn on worship music and dance! I don’t know if whole families want to do that, but it might be fun. My dog thinks I’m weird, but that’s ok. =)
Anna G
Good for you, Rebecca, lol!