A PODCAST WITH FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON LITERACY, LEARNING, AND TEACHING
About Literacy Talks Podcast
Welcome to Literacy Talks, the podcast series from Reading Horizons, where reading momentum begins. Each episode features our trio of literacy champions: Stacy Hurst, an assistant professor of reading at Southern Utah University and Chief Academic Advisor at Reading Horizons; Donell Pons, a dyslexia specialist, educator, presenter and writer, who now works with adults who struggle with reading; Lindsay Kemeny, an innovative, dedicated elementary teacher who is a CERI certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher.
Keep in touch with Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay by emailing them your questions, comments, and thoughts about episode topics at literacytalks@readinghorizons.com
Meet Your Literacy Champions
Each episode mixes just the right blend of humor, hope, and humanity. It’s a conversation among friends, always mixed with practical literacy strategies, powerful tips, and a real passion for teachers and students alike.
Listen, laugh, and learn with Literacy Talks, brought to educators everywhere from Reading Horizons.
Stacy Hurst
Professor at Southern Utah University and Chief Academic Advisor at Reading Horizons
Lindsay Kemeny
Elementary Teacher,
Speaker, and Author
Donell Pons
Speaker, Author, and Recognized Expert in Literacy and Special Education
LISTEN TO THE MOST RECENT EPISODE
Spotlight on Dyslexia: Education, Advocacy, and Support
Dyslexia is often misunderstood, missed altogether, and surrounded by myths. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts revisit the state of dyslexia. From gaps in...
Keep the Momentum Going!
Subscribe to our Literacy Talks podcast digest and never miss an episode! We’ll send you summaries of every session, links for the resources discussed on each show (and some extra goodies) so that your learning never stops.
Spotlight on Dyslexia: Education, Advocacy, and Support
Dyslexia is often misunderstood, missed altogether, and surrounded by myths. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts revisit the state of dyslexia. From gaps in...
Informing and Transforming with Kindness, Patience, and Consideration
As literacy instruction evolves and improves and the science of reading informs classroom practice more and more, we all need to make room for each other’s ideas, perspectives,...
Who Needs to Know What? Teachers and Students—Different Needs!
There is much to know as we teach foundational and more advanced literacy. Here’s where questions arise. How much do teachers need to know about the science of reading to be...
Literacy Legislation: Challenges, Changes, and Choices
In October of 2023, The Reading Council of North America filed a lawsuit against Ohio, attempting to reverse the state’s move to align classroom instruction to the science of...
New Perspectives on the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy is growing in popularity for students with dyslexia, and now it is often included in state-level education policy. In this...
All the Buzz from Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning 2024
Whether you attended the Plain Talk 2024 Conference or wish you did, this Literacy Talks episode is a whirlwind wrap-up of the event. From our hosts’ responses to several keynote...
A Big Conversation about Small Group Instruction
There is new interest in small group instruction as a key component of early literacy learning. Some educators are talking about skipping the small groups. Others have important...
Valuable Words About Vocabulary, with Special Guest Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert
Season 5 of Literacy Talks begins with a visit from special guest Dr. Elfrieda “Freddie” Hiebert, noted researcher, educator, author, and president and CEO of TextProject, Inc.,...
Season’s Greetings and Literacy for All
As the saying goes, “That’s a wrap!” This episode closes Season 4 of Literacy Talks. Our listening audience has grown remarkably, and we’re grateful to every educator who tunes...
Writing: Rethinking How We Build the Foundation
How can we encourage young learners to become confident writers? It’s a question every elementary classroom teacher continues to ponder. In this episode of Literacy Talks,...
The Write Stuff: Handwriting Instruction and Why It Matters for Literacy
Students’ ability to write fluently is important for literacy success. This episode tackles how we can confidently and carefully teach handwriting so students can make critical...
ICYMI: The Reading League Conference 2023
The Reading League Conference 2023 was a high-energy, high-impact event, and our three Literacy Talks hosts were there. This episode voices their observations on the conference’s...
Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Four—Comprehension Takes Center Stage
With this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts wrap up a four-part mini-series exploring the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition from Novice to Expert...
Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Three—What is Skilled Word Reading?
“There’s more to learning to read than phonics…” This statement is true, but without phonics at the core of foundational literacy, the progression from beginning reading to...
Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Two—Cracking the Alphabetic Code
In this episode of Literacy Talks, the focus is squarely on cracking the alphabetic code, making this episode a “must-hear” for educators who teach reading and educators who...
Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part One of a Four-Part Article Study
Whether you participate in more formal professional learning communities or informal study groups with colleagues, you know the power of sharing and discussing articles and...
A Mighty Moving Episode With Lindsay Kemeny
This installment of Literacy Talks features and celebrates the publication of our own Lindsay Kemeny’s new bestselling book, 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested...
The Story Gets Better With Special Guest Emily Hanford
In this episode of Literacy Talks, the trio excitedly welcomes Emily Hanford, the award-winning journalist and media producer whose work and Sold a Story podcast have changed the...
We’ll Level With You: Unpacking the Reading Level Research
Season 4, Episode 4 Click this link to read the show notes.
On Levels: A Candid Conversation with Guest Dr. Matt Burns
Classroom teachers, families, reading coaches, and, most importantly, students have all experienced reading levels. In this compelling episode of Literacy Talks, special guest...
The Facts Matter: Data and Insights to Guide Your Back-to-School Approaches
How many times have you heard the phrase, “Get real”? This episode extends our back-to-school conversation and focuses on the data and real-time information that will help...
Welcome Back…to School!
Whether you’re teaching for the first time or a seasoned classroom educator, the words ‘back to school’ always signal excitement, energy, and new enthusiasm for the year ahead....
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Literacy Talks is available on most popular podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, Click the links to follow Literacy Talks or search for it on your favorite podcast platform.
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