Shanahan on Literacy

Mar 29 2025 59 ep. 12 mins 19

Shanahan on Literacy Podcast artwork

Timothy Shanahan is a renowned expert on the teaching of literacy. This podcast addresses practical issues in teaching students to read and to read better.

Education Kids & Family

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Are We Teaching Reading Comprehension Part 2

Mar 29 2025 16 mins

In the last episode, we examined the research on comprehension instruction and how it has changed. In this episode we are exploring the kinds of instruction that should count when it comes to teaching students to comprehend what they read. It gets into issues of knowledge, strategies, questioning routines, and language.

Are We Teaching Comprehension? Part 1

Mar 15 2025 12 mins

There is new research into how much reading comprehension student are receiving. To carry out such studies requires the researchers to define what they mean by comprehension instruction... and that's where it gets interesting. This first of a two-part podcast explores what it means to teach reading comprehension in the Science of Reading era.

Accommodating Reading Comprehension with Listening: Good Idea?

Mar 01 2025 9 mins

Many children suffer from difficulties learning to read and sometimes these challenges take the form of disabilities. The question is should accommodations be provided to these students by replacing listening comprehension with reading comprehension, if we know they will have trouble decoding. This podcast considers the value of such accommodations when it comes to reading.

On Eating Elephants and Teaching Syllabication

Feb 22 2025 12 mins

Should we be teaching syllabication? Some schemes for this are pretty time consuming. Is that kind of investment worthwhile? And, if we do teach students to break words into syllables what is the best way to do that and what should we teach them? This podcast will explore these issues.

Is Print Awareness Part of the Science of Reading?

Feb 08 2025 13 mins

This podcast explores the role that print awareness plays in learning to read. It sorts out the skills that matter from those that do not and explains how the essential ones can be best taught.

My Problem with Teaching Text Organization

Jan 25 2025 12 mins

There is strong research that supports the idea of teaching students to recognize and use text structure to understand and remember the information from text. Accordingly, reading comprehension lessons often focus on teaching story structure and multiple expository text structures, too. But are those really always the best organizational plans to focus on. This podcast argues for s

8 Ways to Help Kids Read Complex Text

Jan 18 2025 8 mins

For years, teachers were told to teach reading at children's "instructional levels." However, research has not been especially kind to this idea, showing either that this adjustment provides no benefit or that it actually is harmful. So teachers are increasingly trying to teach students to read with grade level text. This podcast provides some useful advice on how to do that succes

Are We Getting the Right Information When It Comes to the Science of Reading?

Jan 04 2025 13 mins

Recently, the press has exercised great influence over reading education reform. Radio documentaries have revealed the neglect of key aspects of reading instruction. Although journalists have often been criticized by educators for not knowing enough to determine how reading should be taught, this is not a reasonable demand -- journalists are responsible for identifying problems, no

'Tis the Season of Test Prep: Bah Humbug!

Dec 14 2024 12 mins

School districts want higher test scores. Each year they promote programs of test preparation. Teachers are required to reduce the amount of reading instruction that they provide in the hopes that these efforts will make everybody look good whether the kids can read well or not. This podcast explores what it would take to end up with higher scores which reflect improved reading abi

Literacy Charities for 2025

Dec 07 2024 15 mins

Each year, I identify regional, national, and international charities that support children's literacy. Only the highest rated charities are noted. This podcast identifies those charities, explains their good work, and points out how these organizations might help your schools and your children.