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Why does spelling matter so much when children are learning to read and write? And how can parents and teachers help children who struggle with spelling? Spelling is more than memorizing words for a weekly test. It's a foundational literacy skill that supports reading, writing, and children's ability to express their ideas. In this episode of The Reading Symphony, Katie Megrian speaks with Dr. Brennan Chandler, Assistant Professor of Dyslexia at Georgia State University, about the science of spelling and why effective spelling instruction is essential for developing confident readers and writers. Dr. Chandler explains how spelling connects to phonics, word reading, and written expression, why some children struggle with spelling even when they can read fluently, and what evidence-based spelling instruction looks like in practice. They also discuss spelling interventions for children with dyslexia, practical ways to support spelling development at home, and the Dyslexia Parent Project, which aims to help families navigate reading difficulties, evaluations, and special education. Chapters 00:00 – Why Spelling Is Essential for Writing 00:58 – Meet Dr. Brennan Chandler 01:46 – From Classroom Teacher to Dyslexia Researcher 06:06 – Are Teachers Better Prepared to Teach Reading Today? 09:56 – The Reading Symphony Substack 10:27 – Why Spelling Matters for Reading and Writing 11:54 – Does Writing Still Matter in the Age of AI? 13:19 – Reading Is Knowledge, but Writing Is Power 16:15 – Why Spelling and Reading Develop Differently 19:45 – Connecting Spelling Instruction With Phonics 20:48 – Why Spelling Needs Dedicated Instruction 23:15 – Teaching Multisyllabic Words and Morphology 24:46 – Helping Children Apply Spelling Skills to Writing 28:55 – Research on Parent-Led Spelling Interventions 31:00 – How Structured Spelling Intervention Works 35:45 – Supporting Children With Dyslexia Through Their IEPs 38:15 – Introducing the Dyslexia Parent Project 39:00 – Helping Parents Navigate Dyslexia and Special Education 44:50 – Practical Spelling Resources for Families Connect with Dr. Brennan Chandler Website: https://brennanchandler.com/index.html Dyslexia Parent Project: https://dyslexiaparentproject.org/ Parent Toolkit: https://brennanchandler.com/toolkit-parents Spell Squad: https://brennanchandler.com/spellsquad/ Instagram: @brennanchandlerphd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennanchandler/ Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers and writers. https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ #ScienceOfReading #SpellingInstruction #Dyslexia #LiteracyInstruction #ReadingInstruction #TheReadingSymphony

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan, literacy educators and co-founders of Logos Literacy Academy, about how morphology helps children become stronger readers and spellers - and why understanding the meaningful parts of words is essential for effective literacy instruction. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Sarah Paul & Michelle Sullivan Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan are literacy educators, authors, speakers, and co-founders of Logos Literacy Academy. Together, they bring more than 40 years of experience in education and nearly 30 years supporting struggling readers. Both are Orton-Gillingham trained and have completed LETRS and additional structured literacy training. Through Logos Literacy Academy, they help K–5 educators integrate morphology, phonics, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension into effective reading instruction. They are also co-authors of an upcoming book on morphology, expected in spring 2027. Michelle founded The COLORFUL Classroom and hosts the Literacy in Color podcast, while Sarah created Sarah's Teaching Snippets. 🔗 Sarah & Michelle's Links Logos Literacy AcademyLogos Literacy Academy InstagramMichelle Sullivan – The COLORFUL ClassroomMichelle's InstagramSarah Paul – Sarah's Teaching SnippetsSarah's InstagramChapters 00:00 - Why Children Already Understand Word Structure 01:14 - Meet Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan 02:40 - Discovering the Magic of Morphemes 04:45 - Michelle's Journey Into Morphology 09:00 - How Sarah and Michelle Connected 11:38 - What Is Morphology? 12:25 - What Are Morphemes? 13:24 - Why Words Are More Than Sounds 14:08 - Understanding Base Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes 18:00 - How Morphology Helps Struggling Readers 20:05 - Is Morphology Being Taught in Schools? 21:00 - Why Morphology Instruction Should Start Early 24:00 - What Parents Should Ask About Literacy Instruction 27:00 - How Word Meaning Explains Spelling 30:00 - Using Morphology to Improve Spelling 33:00 - Common Misunderstandings About Morphology 36:00 - Why English Spelling Isn't Random 39:00 - Morphology Resources for Teachers 42:00 - Exploring Word Structure at Home 45:00 - Supporting Struggling Readers and Spellers 🎧 The Reading Symphony Podcast is recorded and produced by Clear-Cut Podcasting - professional podcast production made simple. 👉 https://clearcutpodcasting.com #Morphology #ScienceOfReading #StructuredLiteracy #ReadingInstruction #SpellingInstruction #LiteracyEducation #TheReadingSymphony

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Lyn Stone, educational linguist, author, and founder of Lifelong Literacy, about why writing is essential for learning to read - and how explicit instruction, handwriting, and a better understanding of English spelling can help children become stronger readers and writers. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Lyn Stone Lyn Stone is an educational linguist, author, and founder of Lifelong Literacy, an international literacy consultancy and tutoring practice. Her latest book, Foundations for Life: Structured Literacy for Reading and Writing, provides practical lessons designed to help parents and educators strengthen children's foundational literacy skills. 📚 Foundations for Life by Lyn Stone In this episode, Lyn shares the story behind Foundations for Life, explains why she wrote it, and discusses how families and teachers can use it to support children's reading and writing development. The book is available through Express Readers, with international purchasing information available through Lyn's website. 🔗 Lyn Stone's Links Purchase Foundations for LifeLyn’s WebsiteLinkedinSubstack Chapters 00:00 - Why Children Get Stuck Learning to Read 00:45 - Meet Lyn Stone 01:36 - How Lyn Became a Literacy Educator 03:41 - Why Guessing Words Can Hurt Reading Development 05:46 - Introducing Foundations for Life 06:30 - The Story Behind Lyn's New Book 08:28 - Helping Children Move Beyond Early Literacy 10:13 - How Parents Can Use Foundations for Life 10:37 - Why Phonics Alone Isn't Enough 12:10 - Why Writing Should Be Taught From the Beginning 12:46 - How Writing Strengthens Reading Development 14:42 - What Happens When Writing Becomes the Priority 16:17 - Why Handwriting and Letter Formation Matter 18:17 - How to Support Children Learning to Write 20:05 - Why English Spelling Isn't Random 20:45 - Useful Words vs. Tricky Words 21:17 - A Practical Lesson: Understanding the Word "Was" 24:06 - The History Behind English Spelling 26:29 - How Literacy Tutors Can Support Families 27:13 - What Parents Should Look for in a Reading Tutor 28:05 - Why Reading Assessments Matter 30:04 - Where to Find Foundations for Life 30:48 - What Keeps Lyn Passionate About Literacy Education 🎧 The Reading Symphony Podcast is recorded and produced by Clear-Cut Podcasting - professional podcast production made simple. 👉 https://clearcutpodcasting.com #ScienceOfReading #LearningToRead #WritingInstruction #StructuredLiteracy #ReadingInstruction #Handwriting #LiteracyEducation

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie welcomes Meghan Hein, a second-grade teacher, former reading intervention specialist, and instructional coach with over 20 years of experience in education. Meghan shares how discovering the Science of Reading transformed her approach to literacy instruction, even after years of supporting struggling readers. Together, they discuss why experienced teachers are rethinking reading instruction, how phonics and decoding help children become stronger readers, how parents can recognize potential reading difficulties, and practical ways to support reading fluency at home. They also explore the importance of effective classroom instruction and communication between parents and teachers. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ About Meghan Hein Meghan is a second-grade teacher in San Diego, California, with more than two decades of experience in education. Through her Instagram account, Always More to Learn, she shares practical literacy strategies, classroom experiences, and resources grounded in the Science of Reading. Connect with Meghan Meghan’s Instagram Meghan’s Learning Library Chapters 00:00 – Why an Experienced Reading Teacher Had to Rethink Everything 00:38 – Meet Meghan Hein 01:50 – Meghan's Journey Into the Science of Reading 04:00 – What Teacher Preparation Didn't Teach About Reading 06:00 – Helping Struggling Readers With Decoding 09:00 – Supporting Reading Practice at Home 12:00 – Addressing Gaps in Foundational Reading Skills 15:00 – Recognizing Reading Difficulties in Your Own Child 17:49 – Questions Parents Should Ask Teachers 20:00 – What Effective Literacy Instruction Looks Like 23:00 – Building Strong Parent-Teacher Partnerships 27:00 – Advocating for Better Reading Instruction 30:00 – Helping Children Develop a Love of Reading 33:00 – Building Comprehension and Reading Fluency 35:00 – Simple Reading Strategies Parents Can Use at Home 38:00 – Where to Find Meghan and Her Literacy Resources Subscribe to The Reading Symphony for conversations about evidence-based reading instruction, literacy development, and helping every child become a stronger reader. #ScienceOfReading #ReadingInstruction #TeachingReading #LiteracyEducation #TheReadingSymphony

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Kim Lockhart, literacy educator and teacher trainer, about why exposure alone isn't enough to teach children how to read - and how evidence-based instruction, oral language development, and structured literacy can help teachers reach struggling readers. Drawing on 25 years of teaching experience, Kim discusses the Science of Reading, structured literacy, the myth of learning styles, and why explicit, evidence-based instruction is essential for struggling readers. They also explore oral language development, French immersion, and practical ways parents and teachers can support children's literacy. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Kim Lockhart Kim Lockhart, M.Ed., is a Lecturer in Education and Education Consultant with 25 years of experience in French Immersion and Special Education. She specializes in structured literacy, teacher training, and evidence-based reading instruction. 🔗 Kim Lockhart's Links: SoRticle: Science of Reading Article Discussion Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1183541269592100/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmelockhartlds/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-betts-lockhart-852788249/ Chapters 00:00 – Why Teacher Education Needs to Change 00:52 – Meet Kim Lockhart 02:16 – Why Kim Became Passionate About Teaching Reading 03:45 – Bridging the Gap Between Reading Research and Classroom Practice 04:50 – What Structured Literacy Looks Like in the Classroom 07:09 – How One Teacher Helped Change Literacy Instruction 09:26 – Starting a Science of Reading Book Club 11:27 – Learning Through Podcasts and Research Articles 12:25 – Building a Community of Literacy Educators 14:45 – The Gaps in Teacher Education 16:07 – Why Reading Research Doesn't Always Reach Teachers 17:10 – Turning Research Into Effective Teaching Practice 18:30 – The Myth of Learning Styles 20:35 – Why Teaching Methods Should Match the Skill 22:36 – What Every New Teacher Needs to Learn 23:02 – Why Oral Language Is Essential for Literacy 25:00 – Speech, Articulation and Language Development 26:35 – How Parents Can Develop Children's Oral Language 28:20 – Why Correct Pronunciation and Grammar Matter 32:15 – Structured Literacy in French Immersion 33:45 – Building Language Comprehension in a Second Language 36:10 – Why Exposure Is Not Instruction 37:50 – Supporting Children Learning a Second Language at Home 40:00 – Understanding the Differences Between Languages 42:00 – Why Reading Aloud Doesn't Automatically Teach Reading 43:00 – The Importance of Everyday Conversations 45:30 – Why Independent Reading Isn't Always Enough 47:15 – What Parents Should Know About Reading Difficulties 48:00 – Why Children Need Intervention, Not More Time #ScienceOfReading #StructuredLiteracy #ReadingInstruction #LiteracyEducation #LearningToRead #OralLanguage #ReadingDifficulties

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Rudo Kashiri, science educator, children’s book author, and former NASA educator, about how science, storytelling, and hands-on learning can help children develop stronger reading skills, build background knowledge, and become more curious learners. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Rudo Kashiri Rudo Kashiri is a National Board Certified science educator, children’s book author, and founder of Curious Minds Explorers Publishing. A retired NASA science educator, she now combines storytelling and interactive science to make STEM accessible and engaging for young learners. 🔗 Rudo’s Links: Curious Minds Explorers Publishing: https://www.curiousmindsexplorerspublishing.com/ Rudo’s Learning Resources & Substack: https://substack.com/@curiousmindsexplorerspublishing Chapters 00:00 – How Storytelling Makes Science Easasier to Understand 00:52 – Meet Rudo Kashiri 02:06 – How a Love of Science Led to NASA 03:54 – What Is STEM? 04:17 – Teaching Science Through Stories 05:31 – How NASA Inspired Rudo’s Children’s Books 06:25 – Combining Science, Reading and Hands-On Learning 07:36 – Turning Children’s Interests Into Science Lessons 08:18 – Do Stars Really Twinkle? 09:00 – Clouds, Rainbows and Everyday Science 09:58 – Teaching Kids How Airplanes Fly 10:31 – Exploring NASA’s Artemis Missions 11:23 – Hands-On Science Activities for Kids 12:07 – Correcting Common Science Misconceptions 12:50 – Introducing Science to Young Children 14:02 – Teaching States of Matter Through Ice Cream 14:59 – How Reading and Science Work Together 16:00 – Why Early Science Knowledge Matters 17:43 – Encouraging Kids to Ask Questions 18:24 – What Parents Should Ask About Science Education 19:01 – Are Children Doing Enough Science Experiments? 20:05 – Finding Science in Everyday Life 20:57 – The Role Parents Play in Science Learning 21:55 – Parents Don’t Need to Know All the Answers 23:07 – Science Resources for Families and Teachers 23:30 – Rudo’s Classroom Activities and Learning Resources 24:09 – Science Programs From Earth to Mars 24:49 – Encouraging Children to Read 26:53 – Rudo’s Advice for Parents 27:00 – Science Is All Around Us 27:54 – How Science Conversations Build Language Skills 28:34 – Why Representation in STEM Matters #ScienceForKids #ScienceEducation #STEMEducation #Reading #Literacy #ScienceOfReading #ScienceForKids #ScienceBooksForKids

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Jen O’Sullivan, education researcher and lecturer, about what effective reading instruction looks like beyond phonics - and why strong literacy teaching needs to connect the different skills involved in learning to read. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Dr. Jen O’Sullivan Dr. Jen O’Sullivan is an education researcher and lecturer specializing in literacy education. A former primary school teacher, her work focuses on early reading development, early intervention for reading difficulties, teacher professional learning, and the role of children’s literature in literacy instruction. 🔗 Dr. O’Sullivan’s Links: Read Write Jen: readwritejen.com Read Aloud with Intent by Dr. Jen O’Sullivan and Dr. Clara Fiorentini: Read Aloud with Intent The Power of Playful Language: Read Dr. O’Sullivan’s article Picture Book Vocabulary Finder: Vocabulary Finder International Reading Achievement Results (PISA): PISA 2025 Results Chapters 00:00 – The Science of Reading vs. the Science of Teaching Reading 00:55 – Meet Dr. Jen O’Sullivan 02:16 – From Classroom Teacher to Literacy Researcher 04:18 – Bridging the Gap Between Reading Research and Practice 05:26 – What Effective Teacher Training Looks Like 07:05 – Why Teachers Need Ongoing Professional Development 09:43 – Connecting the Pieces of Literacy Instruction 11:03 – Why Reading Skills Shouldn’t Be Taught in Isolation 12:22 – Reading Is Like an Orchestra 14:43 – Why Phonics Is Fundamental — But Not Enough 16:27 – Vocabulary and Background Knowledge Matter Too 18:21 – How Background Knowledge Supports Reading 20:03 – Why Reading Multiple Books on One Topic Helps 20:34 – Why Vocabulary Is So Important for Comprehension 22:30 – Why Dictionary Definitions Aren’t Enough 25:04 – Playful Ways to Build Vocabulary at Home 29:43 – The Picture Book Vocabulary Finder 33:03 – How Picture Books Build Sophisticated Language 35:27 – Using Books to Develop Vocabulary 39:32 – How Parents Can Evaluate Reading Instruction 42:04 – What to Do If Your Child Is Struggling 42:38 – Nursery Rhymes and Building Early Literacy 43:20 – Let Your Children See You Read and Write 44:05 – Why Reading Aloud Is So Powerful 45:21 – Making Read-Alouds More Engaging 48:19 – The INTENT Framework 50:28 – Should Parents Worry About Graphic Novels? 55:13 – Where to Find Dr. Jen O’Sullivan #ScienceOfReading #ReadingInstruction #Phonics #ReadingComprehension #Vocabulary #Literacy #ReadingAloud

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Melissa Orkin, educator and developmental psychologist, about dyslexia, structured literacy, reading fluency, and why the emotional side of learning matters. Melissa explains how motivation, confidence, and a child’s willingness to make mistakes can affect reading development. They explore the difference between intrinsic motivation and rewards, how the RAVE-O approach connects different parts of the reading brain, and practical ways parents and teachers can build stronger readers. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Dr. Melissa Orkin Dr. Melissa Orkin is an educator and developmental psychologist specializing in literacy achievement. She is Director of Crafting Minds Group, has taught at Tufts University and Harvard University, and is co-author of The Structured Literacy Playbook. 🔗 Dr. Orkin's Links: RAVE-O Curriculum: https://www.craftingmindsgroup.com/site/rave-o Crafting Minds Group: https://www.craftingmindsgroup.com/ Beyond Gold Stars: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nke-VZYlAssz1mVUyoDC77_hdEySfkeo/view?usp=sharing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-orkin-ph-d-1876311/ The Structured Literacy Playbook: https://www.amazon.com/Structured-Literacy-Playbook-Preplanned-Playbooks/dp/0593970942 Chapters 00:00 – Dyslexia, Motivation and the Emotional Side of Reading 00:52 – Meet Dr. Melissa Orkin 01:41 – From Structured Literacy to Dyslexia Research 03:50 – Why Schools Were Afraid to Say Dyslexia 05:27 – Reading Fluency, Motivation and Student Confidence 11:12 – Rewards vs. Intrinsic Motivation 14:40 – Teaching Children That Mistakes Are Part of Learning 18:16 – Why Learning Is Emotional and Social 18:44 – Why Are Schools Afraid to Say Dyslexia? 21:11 – How the Reading Brain Learns to Read 22:39 – Phonology, Orthography and Structured Literacy 23:44 – Building Vocabulary and Word Knowledge 25:57 – Syntax and Reading Comprehension 29:44 – How RAVE-O Reading Intervention Works 35:34 – RAVE-O for Struggling Readers 39:08 – Gaps in the Science of Reading 39:52 – Why Progress Monitoring Matters 46:10 – Hope for the Future of Reading Instruction 48:41 – Advice for Parents of Struggling Readers #Dyslexia #StructuredLiteracy #ScienceOfReading #ReadingInstruction #ReadingFluency

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Stephen Ciullo, Professor of Education, about what effective writing instruction actually looks like - and why many students, particularly struggling writers and students with learning disabilities, may need more explicit support. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Dr. Stephen Ciullo Dr. Stephen Ciullo is a Professor of Education whose research focuses on writing instruction for students with and without learning disabilities and on improving teachers' effectiveness in writing and content-area instruction. His work examines what writing instruction looks like in real classrooms and how research can be translated into practical strategies teachers can use with students. 🔗 Dr. Ciullo's Links: Email: [email protected] Bio: https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/1921294 Chapters 00:00 - Why Teachers Aren't Taught How to Teach Writing 01:00 - Meet Dr. Stephen Ciullo 03:21 - Why Writing Instruction Needs More Attention 05:57 - How Students Become Skilled Writers 07:24 - Skills Students Need to Become Better Writers 08:19 - Cognitive Load and Writing Strategy Overload 11:57 - What Research Says About Teaching Writing 12:18 - Why Writing Skills Don't Transfer Across Genres 14:13 - Teaching Text Structure and Purpose 15:10 - How Parents Can Support Writing Through Reading 17:11 - The Connection Between Reading and Writing 17:51 - Writing Problem or Comprehension Problem? 21:02 - Why Teachers Need More Writing Training 25:42 - What Effective Writing Instruction Looks Like 30:41 - Explicit vs. Incidental Writing Instruction 33:56 - Writing Support for Students With IEPs 34:36 - How to Write Better IEP Goals for Writing 37:37 - What Parents Should Ask About Writing Instruction 41:41 - When Your Child Struggles With Writing

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with longtime history educator and education consultant Lauren Brown about why knowledge matters for literacy - and why subjects like history and social studies shouldn't be pushed aside to make more room for reading instruction. Lauren explains why "knowledge is the material that we think with," how gaps in background knowledge can become gaps between students, and why building knowledge from an early age makes later learning easier. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Lauren Brown Lauren Brown taught U.S. history at the middle and high school levels for more than 20 years and spent another eight years working with future social studies teachers at the university level. Today, she works as an education consultant and writes about teaching, learning and why social studies matters. Her work focuses on how rich history and social studies instruction can build students' knowledge, strengthen reading and writing, sharpen thinking and prepare young people to participate thoughtfully in democracy. 🔗 Lauren's Links: LinkedIn Teach Stuff That Matters MiddleWeb Writing & Consulting Services Chapters 00:00 Why Background Knowledge Matters 00:45 Meet Lauren Brown 04:19 Why Science and Social Studies Matter 08:12 What Parents Should Ask Schools 10:02 Helping Struggling Readers 13:02 Should Kids Memorize Facts? 20:17 How Knowledge Makes Learning Easier 28:16 Building Knowledge at Home 35:22 Connecting School and the Real World 37:32 Where to Find Lauren

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with reading specialist Dawn Jagannath about what happens when struggling readers aren't responding to traditional reading interventions. They explore structured linguistic phonics, speech-to-print instruction, why older striving readers need meaningful "catch-up growth," and how parents can tell whether an intervention is actually working. Dawn also shares practical ways families can support struggling readers at home without turning home into another intervention session. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Dawn Jagannath Dawn Jagannath is a reading specialist with more than 20 years of experience as a special educator, classroom teacher, and literacy specialist. She is an EBLI Certified Educator and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in the Science of Learning at Gordon College. 🔗 Dawn's Links: Website: https://www.jagannathliteracy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-jagannath-88a225426/ Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI): https://eblireads.com/ Reading Simplified: https://readingsimplified.com/ Chapters 00:00 Why Some Struggling Readers Need a Different Approach 00:40 Meet Dawn Jagannath 02:33 From Special Education to Reading Specialist 04:45 Learning the Science of Reading After Graduate School 06:12 What Struggling Looks Like for Older Readers 07:45 Why "Catch-Up Growth" Matters 10:47 What Is Structured Linguistic Phonics? 13:04 How Dawn Discovered Speech-to-Print Instruction 14:34 When More Intervention Isn't the Answer 16:04 Changing How Students See Themselves as Readers 18:24 Why Speech-to-Print Can Be More Efficient 19:18 How the Brain Finds Patterns in Words 24:15 Helping Students Reach "Escape Velocity" 25:11 Moving From Decodable to Authentic Text 28:16 Questions Parents Should Ask Schools 31:10 Helping Older Striving Readers Catch Up 33:21 What Parents Can Do at Home 35:04 Protecting a Child's Identity as a Learner 36:20 Another Tool for Educators and Parents 38:12 Dawn's Future Research Into Linguistic Phonics 40:09 Where to Find Dawn

Have you ever been told, "They're doing fine," even though you know your child is struggling to read? In this solo episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie Megrian explains how to understand your child's reading assessments, why vague reassurance isn't enough, and the questions every parent should ask before accepting that answer. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, principal, district literacy leader, and parent advocate, Katie shares four real stories from families whose instincts were right - and explains how understanding assessment data can completely change conversations with your child's school. You'll learn: • The difference between Screeners, Diagnostic Assessments, and Progress Monitoring Assessments • When it may be appropriate to request a formal evaluation • Which reading assessments are backed by research • What parents can do before the school year begins • The three questions every parent should ask when discussing their child's reading progress Whether you're concerned about dyslexia, reading intervention, or simply want to better understand your child's progress, this episode will help you become a more informed and confident advocate. Resources Mentioned: 📖 How to Decode Your Child's Reading Assessments 📄 Quick Phonics Screener 📄 CORE Phonics Survey 📚 Reading Assessment Done Right By Dr. Stephanie Stollar & Kate Winn Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Why Reading Assessments Matter 01:02 Four Stories That Changed Everything 05:16 The Four Types of Reading Assessments 05:51 1. Screeners 07:01 2. Diagnostic Assessments 08:28 3. Progress Monitoring Assessments 10:30 When Should You Request an Evaluation? 12:22 Which Reading Assessments Can You Trust? 13:08 What Parents Should Do Before School Starts 15:05 The Three Questions Every Parent Should Ask

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie welcomes Sean Morrisey, creator of the Word Mapping Project, for an engaging conversation about vocabulary instruction, morphology, the Science of Reading, and why building "word wealth" is essential for every child's literacy development. They also discuss why vocabulary instruction shouldn't stop after the primary grades, how to create meaningful conversations around words, and why connecting sound, spelling, and meaning helps words become permanently stored in memory. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Sean Morrisey Sean Morrisey is a fifth-grade teacher at Pinehurst Elementary School in the Frontier Central School District near Buffalo, New York. A former school psychologist, Sean is the creator of the Word Mapping Project, a morphology-rich curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading and the Science of Learning. His work helps educators teach vocabulary, spelling, morphology, and word study through practical, evidence-based instructional strategies that improve long-term literacy outcomes. 🔗 Sean's Links: Website Sean's Substack Word Mapping Project Webinar X (Twitter) Chapters 00:00 – Kids Can Learn Bigger Words Than We Think 00:49 – Meet Sean Morrisey 02:00 – From School Psychologist to Classroom Teacher 05:00 – Why Spelling Still Matters 06:10 – The Birth of the Word Mapping Project 09:00 – Teaching Big Words to Little Kids 13:00 – Bringing Vocabulary to Life 16:00 – Dyslexia, DLD, and Reading Difficulties 20:00 – What Is the Word Mapping Project? 21:00 – Sound, Spelling, Meaning & Morphology 24:00 – Supporting Struggling Readers 27:00 – Building Your Own Word Knowledge 28:00 – Teaching with Synonyms and Antonyms 29:30 – Practical Advice for Parents

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie hosts Phyllis Hakeem, Professor of Education at Bay Path University, for a thought-provoking conversation about the science of reading, neuroscience, structured literacy, and why educators must embrace the principle of "do no harm" when teaching children to read. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Phyllis Hakeem Phyllis Hakeem is a Professor of Education at Bay Path University. Her work focuses on literacy, neuroscience, reading assessment, teacher preparation, and structured literacy. Drawing from decades of experience in education and research, she helps educators better understand how the brain learns to read and how evidence-based literacy instruction can improve outcomes for all students. 🔗 Phyllis's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-hakeem-a92b4838 Email:[email protected] Bay Path University: https://www.baypath.edu/ Faculty Profile: https://www.baypath.edu/academics/faculty-directory/biography/phyllis-hakeem/ Reading & Literacy Programs: https://www.baypath.edu/academics/graduate-programs/reading-literacy-instruction-msed-eds/ Chapters 00:00 – Do No Harm: Why Reading Instruction Matters 01:43 – Meet Phyllis Hakeem 05:18 – From Neuroscience to Literacy Education 08:38 – Finding Joy in Literacy Work 11:03 – Why Phyllis Says "Do No Harm" 12:54 – Practice Makes Permanent in the Brain 15:13 – Understanding Reading Assessment and DIBELS Data 17:24 – Fluency Is More Than Reading Speed 19:18 – Marketed Misconceptions in Education 19:37 – Science of Reading and Marketing Claims 20:09 – Research-Based vs Evidence-Based 21:40 – How to Evaluate Literacy Research 24:18 – When Curriculum Isn't Enough 25:00 – Intellectual Humility and Lifelong Learning 25:25 – You'll Never Know It All 26:03 – Prior Knowledge vs Background Knowledge 27:33 – Building Better Literacy Systems 28:18 – Bay Path University's Literacy Program 31:00 – Preparing the Next Generation of Reading Teachers

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie hosts Kate Crist, founder of Education 4500 and literacy consultant, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing schools today: why so many students reach middle school and high school without being able to read grade-level texts fluently. 📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/ 👤 About Kate Crist Kate Crist is the founder of Education 4500, where she helps school and district leaders design equitable literacy systems that improve outcomes for adolescent readers. 🔗 Kate's Links: Website: https://www.education4500.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecrist/ Chapters 00:00 – Why So Many Students Still Can't Read 00:46 – Meet Kate Crist & Education 4500 03:25 – The Goal: Every Student Graduates Literate 05:00 – Literacy Outcomes Are Designed, Not Accidental 07:40 – Why High School Literacy Needs a Different Approach 09:00 – It's Not the Child's Fault 11:00 – The Role of Teachers vs. The Role of Systems 13:20 – Why Leadership Matters for Literacy Success 14:20 – The Type 10 Fluency Protocol Explained 16:00 – Why Students Need More Eyes on Text 18:00 – Fluency and Reading Comprehension: The Missing Link 19:00 – Why Grade-Level Fluency Matters 21:00 – What Happens When Students Struggle to Read 22:00 – Practical Fluency Routines for Older Readers 25:30 – How Schools Can Build Literacy at Scale 28:00 – What Gives Kate Hope About the Future of Literacy #scienceofreading #adolescentliteracy #readingcomprehension #structuredliteracy #strugglingreaders #literacyinstruction #education #middleschool #highschoolliteracy #readingintervention