The Reading Symphony

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.

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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 Life
• Lyn’s Website
• Linkedin
• Substack

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: http://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.

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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: ciullo@txstate.edu

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:phakeem@baypath.edu

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

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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

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast...

Katie talks with Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez, literacy educator and co-founder of Boston Literacy Ladies, about why supporting teachers is essential to improving literacy instruction and helping students become stronger readers.

Together, they explore the Science of Reading, teacher burnout, instructional coaching, professional development, and the challenges educators face when implementing evidence-based reading instruction. They also discuss dyslexia screening, family-school partnerships, and how schools can provide teachers with the practical support they need to succeed.

📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack

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Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/

👤 About Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez

Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez is a literacy consultant, educator, and co-founder of Boston Literacy Ladies, an organization dedicated to helping teachers strengthen literacy instruction through personalized coaching and practical classroom support.

🔗 Jaenine's Links:

Website: https://www.bostonliteracyladies.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonliteracyladies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bostonliteracyladies

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@boston.literacy.ladies

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez

00:45 – Stop the Summer Slide Workshop Announcement

02:00 – Why Boston Literacy Ladies Was Created

04:20 – The Isolation Many Teachers Experience

05:15 – The Biggest Challenges Teachers Face Today

06:50 – Coaching Teachers Across Grade Levels

08:10 – Family Partnerships & Building Trust

10:00 – Why Parent Workshops Often Struggle

11:45 – Reaching Families Who Need Support Most

13:00 – Helping Families Understand Reading Data

15:40 – Dyslexia Screening & Early Intervention

19:00 – What Effective Teacher Support Looks Like

20:15 – Teacher Burnout & Low Teacher Efficacy

21:45 – Curriculum Overload & Initiative Fatigue

23:30 – Why Teachers Shouldn't Have to Write Curriculum

24:45 – Supporting Teachers Through Change

27:00 – Improving Family Communication

28:00 – What Gives Jaenine Hope About Literacy Education

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast...

Katie talks with Holly Korbey, education journalist and author, about the science of learning and what parents and teachers need to understand about how children learn, remember, and develop essential academic skills.

Together, they explore working memory, cognitive load, background knowledge, retrieval practice, and why explicit instruction is so effective. They also discuss the Science of Reading, effective study strategies, writing instruction, knowledge-rich curriculum, and how evidence-based teaching practices can help students become more confident and successful 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 Holly Korbey

Holly Korbey is an education journalist, author, speaker, and creator of The Bell Ringer newsletter, where she explores the science of learning and its implications for education.

Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Edutopia, and MIT Technology Review, among other publications. Through her writing and reporting, Holly helps parents, teachers, and education leaders better understand research on how children learn and how evidence-based instructional practices can improve learning outcomes.

🔗 Holly’s links:

Newsletter: https://thebellringer.substack.com/

Website: https://hollykorbey.com/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/hollykorbey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-korbey-21617331/

Chapters:

00:00 – Why the Public Needs to Understand How Learning Works

00:43 – Meet Holly Korbey: Education Journalist & Author

05:00 – Why Holly Asked to Speak on Podcasts About Education

06:00 – “We Need to Understand How Humans Learn”

07:20 – Science of Reading vs. Science of Learning

10:40 – What Cognitive Load Theory Actually Means

15:00 – Homework, Apps & Cognitive Overload

17:00 – Why Explicit Instruction Matters

19:30 – Creative Thinking Is the Goal, Not the Starting Point

21:00 – Sports, Music & How the Brain Learns Skills

24:00 – Why Flashcards Are a Miracle for Learning

26:00 – Effective Study Habits & Spaced Retrieval

28:00 – What Gives Holly Hope About Education

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast...

Katie talks with Missy Purcell, literacy advocate, educator, and parent, about what families can do when their child is struggling with reading, but school assessments suggest everything is fine.

Together, they explore dyslexia, early screening, structured literacy, reading interventions, IEP meetings, and the challenges parents face when advocating for their children. They also discuss how to recognize signs of reading difficulties, navigate school resistance, and ensure struggling readers receive the evidence-based instruction and support they need.

📩 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 Missy Purcell

Missy Purcell is a literacy advocate, educator, and parent whose journey into dyslexia advocacy began when she fought to secure appropriate reading instruction and support for her dyslexic son. She is the co-founder of Gwinnett Advocates for Dyslexia and serves as Education Chair with Decoding Dyslexia Georgia. Through her advocacy work, Missy helps families understand dyslexia, navigate the special education system, and advocate for evidence-based reading instruction and appropriate educational support. Connect with Missy Purcell

🔗 Missy’s links:

Website: https://misspurcell.com/

Instagram: @misspurcelladvocates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misspurcelladvocates/

X / Twitter: @MissyPurcell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-purcell-84061b143/

Chapters:

00:00 – Opening: “I Shouldn’t Be the Most Knowledgeable Person in the Room”

01:18 – Meet Missy Purcell: Dyslexia Advocate & Educator

03:10 – Fighting the School System to Get Her Son Help

09:40 – When Good Grades Hide Reading Struggles

15:20 – How Parents Can Spot Dyslexia Early and Push for Support

33:59 – What Effective Reading Intervention Looks Like

36:20 – Why Dyslexia Laws Need Real Accountability

43:50 – How Parents Can Advocate With School Boards

50:20 – Being Brave When Your Child Is Being Failed

01:03:00 – Helping Dyslexic Kids Decompress After School

#dyslexia #scienceofreading #structuredliteracy #strugglingreaders #parentadvocacy

Katie Megrian hosts Michelle Henderson, a literacy and dyslexia specialist and creator of the Parent Blueprint, to discuss how reading develops and how parents can advocate for struggling readers. Michelle shares that her son’s reading struggles led her to study the science of reading and focus on equipping parents, noting many children fall through cracks due to gaps in training, not lack of care. They explain why “just read more at home” is insufficient, contrasting structured literacy (explicit, systematic, evidence-based) with balanced literacy, and connect NAEP results to the need for better instruction. Michelle outlines early dyslexia signs, stresses early action, and describes her $47 Parent Blueprint course and free parent-teacher conference guide at http://michellehendersonliteracy.com. They address older students whose grades mask deficits, the value of OG-style individualized intervention, graphic novels and movies for access and motivation, continuing read-alouds, and supporting children’s self-esteem and self-advocacy.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:30 Meet Michelle Henderson

01:15 Why Advocacy Matters

03:13 Reading Symphony Analogy

04:43 Read Aloud Is Not Enough

07:46 Basics of Reading Skills

08:52 Structured Literacy Training

10:09 Balanced Literacy Debate

14:08 Why Dyslexia Name Matters

19:19 Kindergarten Wake Up Call

24:34 Early Signs of Dyslexia

27:17 Parent Blueprint Course

29:20 Tools Modules And PDFs

32:16 Pricing Giveaway And Free Guide

33:40 Teen Dyslexia Hidden Struggles

37:43 Orton Gillingham For Older Readers

43:20 Movies Graphic Novels And Joy

46:51 Read Alouds And Audio Access

49:55 Handling Discouragement And Hope

51:29 Final Thanks And Podcast Outro

Michelle's Website

Michelle's course

Linda Farrell and Michael Hunter are founding partners at Readsters in Alexandria, VA. They work in schools all over the country to help educators provide assessment and instruction that ensures all students learn to read.

Teachers tell Linda and Michael that they appreciate the practicality of their consulting and their presentations. The reason they can provide practical solutions for helping struggling readers is that they have taught struggling readers from ages 4½ to 81 to read. They also learn from the hundreds of teachers they have worked with in the classroom who work their magic every day with students.

Linda and Michael have presented workshops about effective instruction for beginning and struggling readers for more than 20 years. They participated in reviewing required early reading courses in all colleges and universities in two states. They have coauthored curricula for struggling readers and diagnostic assessments to pinpoint decoding difficulties. Linda is the instructor in Looking at Reading Interventions on the Reading Rockets website. Michael is featured in videos used to demonstrate effective teaching techniques in LETRS modules.

Episode Summary

Katie sits down with two titans of literacy intervention — Michael Hunter and Linda Farrell — whose unconventional paths from investment banking and concrete construction led them to become nationally recognized reading specialists. Together, they unpack the most common reasons children struggle to read, how to identify exactly where a student is stuck, and the powerful (and often overlooked) practice strategies that make the difference between a child who can read and a child who reads fluently and automatically.

https://www.readsters.com/

https://www.decodingdyslexia.net/

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Reading Symphony Podcast, I sit down with early childhood educator Salley King Edwards, whose 25+ year career spans classrooms, coaching, and national literacy work through Cox Campus.

We explore how language, knowledge, and everyday interactions lay the foundation for reading long before formal instruction begins.

Salley shares her personal journey as both an educator and a parent navigating reading challenges, including the early signs she noticed, what she missed, and what she wishes more families understood.

This conversation is both deeply practical and incredibly reassuring: reading development doesn’t start in kindergarten—it starts from birth. And there is so much families can do, in simple and meaningful ways, to support it.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Cox Campus (free courses for families and educators)
• Brilliance of Babies (Salley’s book series and resources)
• "How Knowledge Helps" (Willingham)

In this special live episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie sits down with colleague and friend Kindred Obas for a conversation about joyful reading culture, complex texts, identity, and the kinds of classroom experiences that help children see themselves as readers.

Together, Katie and Kindred discuss:

• how to build a classroom culture where reading feels joyful, social, and meaningful
• why classroom libraries should include both mirrors and windows
• what Kindred learned from watching students move from books like Dog Man to much more complex texts over time
• how her sixth grade Jane Austen book club is helping students grow as readers, thinkers, and community members
• why exposure to complex text, paired with support and belonging, can strengthen comprehension and confidence
• how families can talk with children about harder histories with honesty, empathy, and care
• why it matters to offer books about children of color that are not only rooted in struggle, but also in joy, curiosity, and possibility
• Kindred’s next chapter at Stanford, where she will study curriculum, teaching, race, language, and healing-centered approaches to teaching hard history

This episode is a beautiful reminder that reading growth is not just about skill. It is also about identity, access, belonging, and the communities we build around books.

Katie Megrian | 10:15 AM (0 minutes ago) | | to me

Fundraiser by Kindred Obas : Fund Our Journey to Jane Austen's England https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england?attribution_id=sl:e9fcfcf6-52f6-4666-8406-5c5cc968e35a&lang=en_US&ts=1773612248

Books and Texts Kindred Discusses

• Kindred by Octavia Butler
• Emma by Jane Austen
• A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
• Persuasion by Jane Austen
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
• The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• Love Is by Diane Adams
• The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith
• The Breakfast Club Adventures series by Marcus Rashford
• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
• Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
• Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee