Podcasts

Making the Science of Reading Stick with Dr. Jocelyn Washburn

The Be Podcast Network, an organization of more than four dozen engaging shows dedicated to education, and Reading Is Fundamental are partnering during National Literacy Month to share high-impact conversations about literacy with more than 40 unique episodes featuring conversations about the state of children’s literacy nationwide, best practices for reading instruction and engagement, strategies to foster the joy of reading in school and at home, and much more.

Dr. Jocelyn Washburn, an associate director of the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas, discusses the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM), an approach to instruction that focuses on teaching students learning strategies. SIM has shown a significant impact on students' learning outcomes, particularly in adolescent literacy. Dr. Washburn also shares concerns about the current Science of Reading movement, emphasizing the importance of considering research-based evidence and practice-based evidence in curriculum decision-making. She highlights the need for principals to focus on supporting teachers and facilitating productive collaboration to create effective learning environments.

  • SIM is an approach to instruction that focuses on teaching students strategies for learning. In short, SIM emphasizes HOW to learn.
  • Learning strategies (explicit instruction) and content enhancement (teacher guided learning) strategies, Cue, Do, Review
  • SIM is designed for teachers in middle and high school
  • SIM Paraphrasing activity
  • Center for Research on Learning
  • Pretest and make commitments to learn. 
  • Success formula = 
  • If you figure out what works for you, what strategies will help you perform it, that will make it effective for life. 
  • Strategic is about having strategies
  • Why hasn’t anyone taught me “like this” before
  • Learning strategies vs. Cue, do, review
  • Research-based information
  • Concerns about science of reading approaches
  • Review process - reviewed against a long list of components (do those specific components have research showing they work.)
  • Teacher not being able to teach something even though they have experience showing that it works. 
  • Adapting evidence-based practices based on student data. 
  • iSTAR Adaptive intervention based on SIM writing strategies. 
  • Learn how write complete sentences and effective purposeful paragraphs. 
  • Many different types of gaps and writing that has happened. 
  • Human-delivered instruction but with dashboards for families, teachers, students, and administrators with AI to support
  • Interest-inventory
  • Authentic Audience - writing with purpose routine, built into iStar. 
  • How to be a transformative principal? Learn alongside your teachers.

Visit the official episode page here.