The Science of Reading: Shame on You

[@sarahp444]

This is the video I needed to hear. When we know better, we do better. While there are some reading practices I used in the past that really hurt children's reading progress (and feelings about these are COMPLETELY valid), that doesn't mean we need to shame teachers for not knowing better. Many of these poor reading practices are the main ones I was taught in my undergrad and grad programs. It's not our fault. We were doing what we thought was best at the time for our students. The best thing we can do is learn from our mistakes and lovingly guide others who also want to improve teaching students best reading practices. Thanks, Anna, for the pep talk!

[@corinnegillingham4854]

Just finished my LETRS training today, units 1-4. It’s the most amazing training I’ve ever received as a teacher/reading coach and based on the science of reading. I’m glad that I focus my efforts on improving instruction and have never heard of negative talk about teachers.

[@CrimeAndTides]

Thank you for this video! I appreciate you sticking up for teachers & creating positive change by explaining how we can make small changes to improve instruction. And yes, we are SO overwhelmed…..

[@benitar5581]

As a second grade teacher I agree with many of your points. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for your honesty. Thank for creating a safe space.

[@stefanielozinski]

When we know better, we do better! I’m a homeschool mom to a son with some learning disabilities, and I have seen how much he has thrived with a structured literacy approach. I used a curriculum from Memoria Press called First Start Reading and it has been so easy to use and my son loves it. :) However, my own experience with reading was basically the complete opposite. I grew up homeschooled surrounded by a lot of “unschool” ideas, and connected to that was the idea that if you provided a literacy-rich environment, kids will just pick up reading. Funny enough, I did - I was a very precocious reader and learned to read fluently at age 4! I always loved reading and honestly never found it difficult in the least. It came naturally. I was lucky. But my sisters did not have this experience. They both struggled to read until they were 10-11 years old. I am confident that had my mother had been more aware of what the science said, she would have done more systemic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics. I think humility is so important and I am heartened to see how many teachers and fellow homeschool moms are choosing to put the kids first vs. digging their heels in and wanting to “be right”. We all only know what we know. As you rightly say in this video, all we can do is move forward. I think the future is so bright for reading achievement!

[@judithbouch9533]

Yes,yes,yes! I am an 80 year old former public school teacher who is sill a volunteer teacher in a Special Program! I have seen soooooo many programs come and that have been Healed as the perfect program and them often persecuted as the exact reason for failure in education- particularly the reading field! I have Read, workshopped, taken classes and even traveled to New Zealand to study and Participate in classes related to the Mari Clay reading philosophy! I am still doing it, thusl listening to your interpretation this morning. I truly agree we teacher first of all must to be supportive of each other so that in turn we can hopefully become “The voice of learning for our students!” (I have a learning disability that through the help of several very superior educators and my Mother I learns to cope with my difficulties and in return the support to all my students to help then become better and happier reader’s. I always looked for the perfect one way to really do “IT!” And what did I find-“That our student are not One Size Fits All!” And it is up us as teacher to know our students needs and how what you use fits those need with in a concrete development well researched base!” Sorry I didn’t mean to go on sure a tirade! All I want to do was wish you luck. I hope and you/or someone will become the voice of sanity before our Education System and our students are damaged even more! Bless and Keep Judith A Bouch

[@ksenia5199]

I’m a mom. This issue was brought to my attention by the podcast Sold a Story. My daughter is 15 months old, so she won’t start learning to read for another few years. However, I’m reaching out to her future kindergarten teachers about this issue, and they’re not interested in talking to me. I tried to email them. I didn’t get a response. I’ve emailed the principal. Hopefully she responds. I agree with you about not blaming, but it’s frustrating when it feels like there is such pushback about change!

[@user-vd2jk7dl3p]

Thank you for being such an involved moma. Don't stop! ❤

[@robertas.1739]

It is great that you are concerned and not afraid to reach out. As the other person said - keep it up! I'd also like to point out that you are your child's first true teacher and she will learn so much just by watching you, imitating you, and so forth. Read to her - not just books at home, but signs at stores. "Oh look, apples are on sale. I think I will buy some apples." Have her hold an apple while you discuss it so she connects the word apple and the real-life (concrete object) item - the apple to what you are talking about. Those simple conversations will make connections that will help her understanding to grow!

[@basiaw.3912]

Anna, thank you so much for your humane voice of reason! To stop the all madness what is going on, and on... i think that we, teachers should do what we have decided to do, means teaching and what is best for the students:Love them & help them to learn.That's our mission!

[@CoffeeEmpress]

Thank you for your message and thank you for your contribution to teaching reading. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. -Arthur Ashe

[@giftoflifewc]

Thank you so much for doing this and sharing your voice with teachers!

[@rosemarymadowo228]

Thank you so much Anna for your very educative videos...I learn a lot listening and watching them...

[@sarahp444]

So true! There are some harmful parts of balanced literacy but some amazing parts, as well. We don't have to throw out every part.

[@user-vd2jk7dl3p]

I used to be one of those people who blamed the teachers when I first learned about these issues and others. As I learned more and got more experience in this field I found that you really "don't know what you don't know" and when most teachers are given what they are told are the best practices by the people who are in that they are learning from themselves they put their whole heart and soul into it! They are truely doing the best that they were taught to do and there are far more components working that contribute to these issues than just the teachers. Yeas there are bad teachers out there but so many are putting their everything into their CRAFT and I do see them making shifts when they find out what they were doing is wrong. They really do care about their students and want them to succeed.

[@donaldknight7479]

Thank you for this. I think your non-judgemental approach is the way to go. As you implied: you can't throw the baby out with the bathwater....those leveled readers are still useful!

[@chloehoyt9757]

Where can I buy your materials?

[@paulasabbia31]

Let's not worry so much about the "science of reading," but just have families read to and with our students early and often. Parents are too quick to let students engage in unproductive screen time. Watching a read aloud video is so totally inferior to sitting with a parent or other loved one while reading engaging content...over and over again. As we all know, children model behavior, so let's continue the concept of "get caught reading." In my observation, children would rather read for reading's sake. If I had a nickle for every time a child said, "I hate reading..." also, let's allow them to read above their so called perceived level. Let's encourage them to challenge themselves by reading above and asking questions. It irks me when a child wants to read a designated 5th grade book in the library and they are redirected to the 2nd grade section because that is the grade they're in. We have to bring the JOY back to reading and not make it a chore or something to be approached so endlessly and boringly scientifically.

[@akemitsukino]

What schools don't allow kids to read outside their grade level? We let kids read at whatever level they're at academically. So we might have 2nd graders reading 1st grade level, some 3rd, etc. Also, parents reading to their kids is important, yes. But we ALSO need good instruction. We need both.

[@juliuswilcox7327]

As parents we are not looking for perfection we are looking for transparency. We are very involved in our children's education. Both are ADHD and one is dyslexic. The truth is some kids were passed along and can not read. Unfortunately finger pointing is the American way LOL. As we all know, greed seeps into every fiber of society including education. I think the the pandemic really shocked those who were not paying attention and the results showed deficiencies in our education system. The bottom line is learning is not one format for every child.

[@finasoto3926]

Kindergarten teachers got rid of their leveled readers in their classroom library. I'm afraid those kindergarten will only be given Leveled Readers. Seems like Dick and Jane phonics readers are back in style🤔Pkease don't throw out the baby with the bath water.

[@PhD4me]

The parents are the first TEACHERS/INSTRUCTORS for their CHILDREN. Students should learn to read before they attend school. Parents should share more accountability and responsibility.

[@jenineslocum1168]

I must be out of the loop. I don’t really know what this video is about. I homeschool my kiddos, so I use what works for them. In my homeschool groups I haven’t heard of any reading issues. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@timwrigley102]

It's almost like having a high teacher to student ratio allows the teacher to be more flexible and cater to individual needs.

[@natashavenzen907]

You nailed it

[@deborahmcdaniel3522]

Bravo you. Professor McDaniel

[@zren2023]

👏👏👏👏👏