Alabama Literacy Network's Podcast

Feeding Words & Growing Readers: Interview with Julie Odom & Collie Wells

How do we train educators, parents, and community members the skills to improve the trajectory of children's lives through language & brain development? Julie Odom & Collie Wells of the Alabama Partnership for Children discuss initiatives and free resources available, including Feed Me Words, an initiative designed to helps parents and caregivers provide language interaction that builds the brains of children into readers.

Apprenticing Readers into Life-Long Literacy: Interview with Dr. Linda Friedrich

The focus on foundational literacy is incredibly important, but it's not enough to create life-long literacy. Learn about Reading Apprenticeship, a research-proven approach to adolescent and adult literacy, focused on disciplinary literacy, metacognition, and student engagement from Director of Literacy at WestEd, Dr. Linda Friedrich. 

Reversing the Struggle for Readers: Interview with Lois Letchford

Learn how her son's traumatic experiences in 1st grade prompted Lois Letchford to take his learning into her own hands, become a reading specialist, and advocate for struggling readers everywhere. This inspirational author of the book, Reversed: A Memoir will make you think of struggling readers in a different way. You will also learn more about the struggles many children have with language and how that influences their ability to learn how to read. 

Building the Knowledge to Improve Reading: Interview with Natalie Wexler

If you have wondered why our students struggle with reading, even when they can decode the words on the page, it is likely due to a knowledge gap. This gap has been inadvertently created by a lack of learning in the areas of science, social studies, the arts, and other subject areas. Listen to our podcast with author Natalie Wexler and learn how we can solve not only the reading crisis but also the writing crisis. 

Science of Reading for Everyone: Interview with Dr. Maria Murray

The Reading League is making the Science of Reading accessible to anyone, and in doing so, is improving teaching, learning, and the engagement of stakeholders, including parents. Learn more from President and CEO, Dr. Maria Murray, how The Reading League is changing reading around the world for the better.

The Sweet Sounds of Reading Success: Interview with Dr. Mary Dahlgren

Research has proven that phonological awareness is critical for learning to read. Struggling with phonological skills is one of the best predictors of poor reading outcomes for students. Learn how Tools 4 Reading founder and literacy leader Dr. Mary Dahlgren has changed the trajectory of children's and teachers' lives through her innovative tools and lifetime of work dedicated to improving reading.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month: Interview with Sonya Yates

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! The president of the Alabama branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Sonya Yates, shares the history, the successes, and what still needs to be done in Alabama.

Sharing the Love of SoR: Interview with Dr. Pam Kastner

Dr. Pam Kastner's passion is sharing the love of Science of Reading, and her Wakelets are legendary! As president of The Reading League Pennsylvania and as the State Lead Consultant for Literacy for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), she has been given an unique opportunity to identify high-quality professional learning and share with teachers. Learn how her own experiences led her to help others in this life-long learning journey!

The Courage to Learn & Change: Interview with Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry started her teaching career without the knowledge she needed to effectively teach students to read. She started a journey that took her from the classroom to leading professional learning for The Reading League. Find out what she's learned about the role of knowledge building and the courage it takes to both learn and change. 

NO MORE sight words: Interview with Dr. Katie Pace Miles

For years, children have been asked to memorize lists of "sight" words, with little or no understanding of the phonics, spelling patterns, or function of those words. Learn what needs to change from Dr. Katie Pace Miles, whose research in this area led her to create Reading Ready, a free intervention program designed to help striving readers.