#DearReadingTeacher

Episode 13 is recorded for Parents confused by sight words and for Parents who know their child is not learning to read by memorizing a list of words. Their early reader is guessing and/or staring. I start with a personal story in this episode, my lived experiences with sight words as an educator and parent. Then, I wrote a letter to the American kindergarten teacher (or any educator that is pushing sight words over decoding/sounding out) linked below. I hope this letter will push families and early childhood educators to find ways to immediately help our early readers stop guessing. Sight words should be the outcome of effective reading instruction, not the focus of the process.

The amazing podcast host of Explore Black History, Dr. Shannon Stanton Agbotse, joins me in what is my favorite #DearReadingTeacher episode so far. Dr. Shannon helps us explore the history of literacy practices in Black America. This conversation is a powerful testament to how important it is for Black Americans to do our scholarship and research as we reshape literacy practices for our children today. Dr. Shannon shares how her journey as an educator has led her to create intentional spaces of learning for Black children that are transformative and empowering. 

Guest Information:

Remember the ‘shhhhhh’ rule from the library? Thankfully many strict library rules are gone, but families face new challenges raising readers at the library. In the first episode of Season 2, I discuss the competition between screens and library use with another Parent and a children’s author, Meredith Johnson. As library lovers we are already biased to enjoy the library and we want to raise our children to enjoy this community space. So, how did we maximize the library for our families?

Guest Information:

The magical and special book gardens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin that has inspired thousands of families is called Bookworm Gardens. The guest in this is Bookworm Garden’s Director of Education and Community Programming, Cate Tinker. Cate shares how this beautiful garden has led a local community and so many families to get outside + read. In our chat as teacher moms, we discuss reading outside, community building, and our childhood love for books that we share with our children. I am so happy to end this first season on such a positive note!

More Research:

In this conversation, Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood, a Children’s Author and Educator, shares her approach to reading instruction at home and the value of ‘‘bathing your child in language.” Dr. Brown-Wood and I discuss ways to intentionally promote literacy as parents and diversity in children’s books. Dr. Brown-Wood highlights her upcoming books and projects, including a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood called Mahogany that releases in 2024.

Recommended Resource for Parents:

Imagination Library - https://imaginationlibrary.com/

Guest Information:

Some Parents are afraid to teach their child to read because Parents believe they are imposter teachers. Not true at all. Parents are a child's most important teacher. We are our children's first teacher and I believe we can set a strong foundation of literacy for our children if we are supported by our community and when we are intentional from an early age. I hope this honest episode will illuminate how I leveraged the good, the bad, and the community to teach my child to read. I won't pretend it's easy - it takes years. My story does not have to reflect yours, but you may be able to relate if you feel alone on this journey with your child.

Parents of struggling readers should listen to this first part of 2 episodes if they have a student in a U.S. public school. My guest for Episode 6 and 7 is Leroy Smith, M.Ed. Leroy is the founder of Realized Solutions, LLC and an advocate for students with disabilities. In this honest conversation between two special educators, we discuss all the things we want Parents to understand before contacting their child’s school for an evaluation for special education services.

Share these episodes and the guidance document (see link below) with any Parents that may have fears of how to get started getting their child evaluated for a reading-related disability.

Guest Information:

Instagram - @RealizedCurriculumSolutions

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/realizedsolutionsllc/

Website - https://www.realizedcurriculumsolutions.com/

Recommended Resources for Parents:

Parent Evaluation Flyer - https://tinyurl.com/evaluationflyer

ParentCenterHub (for Parents of Students with Disabilities) - https://www.parentcenterhub.org/

Follow #DearReadingTeacher on Social Media:

Instagram/Facebook - @DearReadingTeacher

Website - https://school.readinggardenclub.com/

Reading Garden Club Instagram/Facebook - @ReadingGardenClub

Do you have an early reading/struggling reader story to tell?

Are you a homeschool Parent or reading educator? Contribute as a guest - https://tinyurl.com/readingteacherpodcast/

First grade teachers are Nation Builders. My guest in the 5th episode of the #DearReadingTeacher Podcast is a first grade teacher in the United States. @MindfulTeacherRachel teaches children how to read every day. She is also a children’s author and advocates through social media for applying the “science of reading” research and evidence-based methods in classrooms. In this episode, @MindfulTeacherRachel gives Parents a checklist to help families determine which literacy resources are based on the science of reading research.

Guest Information:

Instagram/Facebook - @MindfulTeacherRachel

Website - https://beacons.ai/rachelsor

Recommended Resources for Parents:

Reading Rockets Glossary of Terms - https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/glossary

Reading Buddies Show - https://www.youtube.com/c/readingbuddiestrl

UFLI Parent Resource Hub - http://ufli.education.ufl.edu/resources/parent/

IMSE FREEBIES - https://imse.com/digital-resources/?categories=38

Follow #DearReadingTeacher on Social Media:

Instagram/Facebook - @DearReadingTeacher

Website - https://school.readinggardenclub.com/

Reading Garden Club Instagram/Facebook - @ReadingGardenClub

Do you have an early reading/struggling reader story to share?

Missy Purcell is a Parent and Teacher that faced a public school system that was totally ill-equipped to teach her child to read. Missy's experiences continue to empower her to face all of our fears as teachers and parents. Missy is a true advocate for applying the Science of Reading research to schools today. Her advocacy work demonstrates why Parents are driving the sea changes we already see in 2023-2024 school year. What can we do to lead to more evidence-based reading instruction?

Guest Information:

Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/groups/scienceofreadingforadvocates/

Youtube - @untilEVERYkidcanread

Twitter - @missypurcell1

Blog - https://www.thedyslexiainitiative.org/post/dear-balanced-literacy-teacher

Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-128-dear-balanced-literacy-teacher-with-missy-purcell/id1463219123?i=1000581894049

Follow #DearReadingTeacher on Social Media:

Instagram - @dearreadingteacher

Facebook - @dearreadingteacher

Reading Garden Club Facebook/Instagram - @ReadingGardenClub

YouTube - @ReadingGardenClub

Website/Transcripts - https://www.readinggardenclub.com/drt

Do you have an early reading/struggling reader story to tell?

Early speech struggles can also be signs of dyslexia. By the end of the third episode of #DearReadingTeacher, @HoneybeeLiteracy answers a listener’s question about the early signs in speech of dyslexia. The founder of Honeybee Literacy, Tiniyja Burney, M.A., CCC-SLP, illuminates why Speech-Language Pathologists should always be included in the early reading conversation.

@TheNeuroAffirmingParent shares a Mom’s personal journey supporting early readers at home and in the public school system in the second episode of #DearReadingTeacher. The “Sold a Story” podcast dramatically changed this Parent's perspective on education in the United States. “It just made me feel so empowered as a parent because it no longer was me just lost and just relying on the school for that information.” Now she advocates for her children's education, for structured literacy for all, and for neurodiversity with confidence.

My name is Elisabeth Forde and I will be Your Reading Teacher. In this first episode of #DearReadingTeacher, I share the story that started this early reading podcast for Parents. The short version of why I left the classroom and decided to homeschool, and why I empower Parents who want literate children.