This podcast responds to a teacher question concerning the value of teaching blending as part of phonics instruction. The response considers research on the value of blending and considers the various ways that blending has been addressed instructionally.

Many teachers wonder if decodable texts undermine kids' interests in and love of reading. This podcast explores that idea and explains the sources of kids' interests in reading and how adults may see things differently than children do.

There are scads of evaluative criteria for examining reading and English Language Arts programs aimed at elementary school kids. But what about ELA programs for use in the middle and high school? Wouldn't it be just as good for teachers to teach novels at these grades -- rather than adopting a...