A Novel Idea: The History of the Science of Reading

Our journey through the history of literacy instruction in the United States has brought us to the very place we started: the current science of reading movement that has taken the education field by storm. In this concluding episode of A Novel Idea, we discuss the future of the science of reading movement and hear input from a variety of experts, including: @ehanford@literacypodcastMelissa and Lori Love Literacy@KJWinEducationLearn More Science or snake oil: How to tell the difference, Holly Lane, University of Florida Literacy Institute https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/science-or-snake-oil/ Read it, say it, hear it, write it: Instructional routines that engage the four language skill areas, Meg Mechelke, Iowa Reading Research Center https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/blog/2023/05/read-it-say-it-hear-it-write-it-instructional-routines-engage-four-language-skill Scope and sequence: What is it, and how do educators use it to guide instruction?, Meg Mechelke, Iowa Reading Research Center https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/blog/2023/03/scope-and-sequence-what-it-and-how-do-educators-use-it-guide-instruction Episode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-8 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

In the 1990s, debates over literacy instruction reached a tipping point in the nation’s most populous state. Learn more about the reading crisis in California and the start of the so-called “Reading Wars” in this episode of A Novel Idea. Plus, hear from: Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain Dyslexia, Fluency, and the Brain@ReadingShanahanLearn More “The Reading Wars,” Nicholas Lemann, The Atlantic Monthly https://www.pbs.org/weta/twoschools/thechallenge/history/ Scarborough’s Rope https://institute.aimpa.org/resources/readingrope Episode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-6 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

Following the explosion of the Reading Wars in California, a push for nationwide literacy legislation swept the nation. In this episode of A Novel Idea we explore the consequences of this movement, including the influence of legislative efforts including The National Reading Panel and Reading First. Featuring thoughts from: @natwexlerThe Knowledge Gap@ReadingShanahanProust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain Dyslexia, Fluency, and the BrainLearn More National Reading Panel https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/nrp/Documents/report.pdf Episode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-7 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

Whole language is one of the most talked about developments in literacy instruction in the past several decades. In this episode of A Novel Idea, we take a look at the history and founders of this popular teaching philosophy and examine its effects on contemporary instruction. Featuring insight from: @natwexlerThe Knowledge Gap@literacypodcastMelissa and Lori Love LiteracyProust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain Dyslexia, Fluency, and the BrainEpisode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-5 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the work of several influential researchers in the early days of the science of reading. These pioneers of literacy research paved the way for the development of evidence-based instruction of today and played major roles in advocating for effective, equitable literacy instruction for all students. Plus, hear from: @natwexlerThe Knowledge Gap@FumikoHoeftProust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain Dyslexia, Fluency, and the BrainEpisode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-4 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!” In this episode, find out how children’s picture books became a major battleground for debates about literacy instruction. Plus, hear insights from author Natalie Wexler (Twitter: @natwexler) and Dr. Fumiko Hoeft (Twitter: @FumikoHoeft), director of the University of Connecticut Brain Imaging Research Center. Episode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-3 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

Hear ye, hear ye! In this episode, we travel all the way back to the 17th and 18th centuries to examine the Enlightenment-era roots of reading instruction as we know it. We will introduce several major players in the early days of literacy education, and examine the ways in which their actions have influenced today’s conversations surrounding literacy. Plus, hear from Natalie Wexler (Twitter: @natwexler), author of The Knowledge Gap, and Kate Will of the Iowa Reading Research Center. Learn More: In addition to the philosophical and pedagogical changes discussed in this episode, the concept of literacy education was also a subject of political discourse during these years. These resources provide more information on this angle of American literacy learning not covered in the episode and are excellent starting points to learn more. Confronting Anti-Black Racism: Education, Harvard Library library.harvard.edu/confronting-anti-black-racism/education How literacy became a powerful weapon in the fight to end slavery, Colette Colman, HISTORY www.history.com/news/nat-turner-rebellion-literacy-slavery Episode transcript and sources irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-2 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

What is the science of reading? And why is everyone in the literacy community talking about it? In this episode, we explore the current state of the science of reading movement. Along with our original reporting, you’ll hear from: Melissa and Lori Love Literacy@literacypodcast@kymyona_burk@KJWinEducation Learn More National Reading Panel https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/nrp/Documents/report.pdf Sold a Story podcast https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/ Right to Read documentary https://www.therighttoreadfilm.org/ Special Thanks Carla Siravo and Mike Archangelo YouTube: @mrs.siravo5975 and @mikearchangelo Instagram: @carlasiravoauthor and @mikearchangelo. Aja McNair (Everything Aja LLC) YouTube: @EverythingAJA https://www.everythingaja.com/ Susan Jones YouTube: @SusanJonesTeaching https://susanjonesteaching.com/ Episode transcript and sources: https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-1 A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

A brand new, 8-episode podcast series, brought to you by the Iowa Reading Research Center, explores the historical roots of today’s science of reading movement. Learn More “U.S. education achievement slides backwards,” Jill Barshay, The Hechinger Report Episode transcript and sources https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-trailer A Novel Idea website: irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast