No Merch, No Problem: Why SSSR Was Worth It — with Researcher Jake Downs

Looking for free, practical literacy tools that really work? In this episode, the hosts of Literacy Talks share their favorite go-to websites for everything from decodables and syntax support to articulation videos and classroom-ready texts. It’s an honest, unsponsored round-up of resources we use, trust, and recommend.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

Writing is anything but simple. In this episode, the hosts break down the foundational elements of writing instruction—from the mechanics of handwriting and spelling to the role of oral language and student motivation. They share insights, personal stories, and practical strategies for supporting students at every stage, with a special focus on transcription, composition, and the power of student voice. It's a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation about what it really takes to help students grow as writers.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

We’re back with more of the literacy gripes that make us wince, laugh, and think deeper. In our third pet peeves episode, the Literacy Talks team—Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay—sound off on persistent myths, misplaced blame, phonics fluff, and why reading will never be obsolete. With listener submissions in the mix, this candid conversation is part venting session, part professional reflection. If you’ve ever cringed at a reading log or been told teachers are the problem (spoiler alert: they’re not), this one’s for you.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

We made it to 100 episodes! To celebrate, we’re doing something special—sharing the very first episode we ever recorded, one that never made it to air… until now. It’s raw, real, and full of heart. Join us as we look back on where it all began, reflect on how much has changed, and reconnect with the passion that started it all.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

In this episode, the hosts dive into the so-called “Great Syllable Debate,” unpacking recent research and long-standing practices around syllable instruction. From the reliability of syllable division rules to the role of flexibility, they explore what today’s educators need to consider when teaching students to read multisyllabic words—especially those with dyslexia or other reading challenges. It’s a conversation grounded in science, shaped by classroom experience, and focused on helping every student become a confident reader.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Dr. Sarah Brown—two leading voices in reading improvement and MTSS. Together, they unpack what MTSS really means, how it connects to the science of reading, and why it's more than just moving students through tiers. With candid insights, practical tools, and a clear call for systems-level change, this is the real talk educators need to hear. You'll come away informed, inspired, and ready to take meaningful next steps.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

What do cookies, comprehension, and courageous teaching have in common? They were all part of this year’s Big Sky Literacy Summit—and our team was there to take it all in! In this episode, Stacy, Lindsay, and Donell share their favorite sessions, most powerful moments, and the insights that influenced their thinking. From the sweet story of the “last cookie” to profound reminders about the power of oral language, teacher knowledge, and resilience in education, this recap captures the heart, humor, and inspiration of Big Sky.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

In this episode, Dr. Tiffany Hogan joins the Literacy Talks team to unpack the five domains of language—phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics—and why understanding them is essential for effective literacy instruction. With clear explanations, real classroom examples, and insights into language-related neurodiversities, this conversation brings research and practice together in practical, actionable ways. Tune in for an engaging discussion that will deepen your understanding of how language supports reading success.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Tim Odegard—renowned dyslexia researcher and advocate—joins hosts Stacy Hurst, Lindsay Kemeny, and Donell Pons for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking and calls for urgent change in how schools approach dyslexia. From his own journey as an undiagnosed struggling reader to his groundbreaking research on the intersection of literacy and mental health, Dr. Odegard shares insights that every educator, policymaker, and parent needs to hear.Together, they explore how early identification, systemic support, and a deeper understanding of risk and resilience can transform outcomes for students with dyslexia. They also confront the hidden costs of untreated reading difficulties—including long-term impacts on mental and physical health—and discuss how schools can be either a powerful protective factor or a source of chronic stress.This episode is a compelling call to action—and a hopeful reminder of the difference we can make when we truly see and support every learner.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.

In this episode, the Literacy Talks team is joined by researcher Jake Downs for a lively recap of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR) Conference. From practitioner-day takeaways and cutting-edge studies to unexpected laughs and zero conference swag, they unpack the insights, surprises, and trends shaping the future of literacy instruction.Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting? Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now. Coming Soon: Reading Horizons Ascend™ From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend™ offers a consistent, needs-based reading experience across every grade, tier, and model—so every student can build mastery, one skill at a time. Learn More.