This week, Kate Winn chats with educator and SyllaSense decodable book author Lee-Ann Lear. They discuss the role decodables can play in a structured literacy classroom, common misconceptions, and practical tips for using decodable text. Lee-Ann also shares how SyllaSense got started, how the books are written and reviewed, and why their scope and sequence goes beyond just phonics. Whether you’re new to decodable text or already using it regularly, this episode offers helpful insights for educators supporting early readers.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? by Tyna Legault Taylor
• The Reading League Decodable Book Sources
• UFLI Decodable Text Guide
• The Active View of Reading - Duke & Cartwright
• SyllaSense Scope and Sequence
• SyllaSense Teacher Tip Sheets
• SyllaSense deck-odables
• SyllaSense workshops

What is implementation science, and why should educators care about it? In this episode, Kate welcomes Dr. Katlynn Dahl-Leonard to break down how this field can help close the gap between literacy research and classroom practice. They discuss Katlynn's recent study on teacher implementation of a structured literacy intervention, components of fidelity, and what makes implementation easier - or harder - for educators. Tune in for practical insights on supporting evidence-based instruction in real-world settings.

This episode mentions:

• If You Were Here by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin
• Katlynn's study, co-authored with Drs. Colby Hall & Philip Capin, Exploring the feasibility of implementing the SPELL-Links to Reading and Writing intervention (open source)
• Translational science: A road map for the science of reading by Dr.Emily Solari et al.
• Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)
• Program integrity in primary and early secondary prevention: Are implementation effects out of control?

Kate is joined by Dr. Sarah Lupo, and together, they explore how to support adolescent readers across subjects with practical, research-informed strategies. Dr. Lupo discusses the five major challenges that make texts tough for students, shares tools for scaffolding instruction, and explains how to centre identity, language, and purpose in secondary literacy. Whether you're an English, science, or history educator, this episode offers concrete ideas you can apply right away.

Links:

• Tackling Tough Texts by Sarah Lupo, Dan Reynolds, and Christine Hardigree

• On the Trapline by David A. Robertson and Julie Flett

• Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy – Special Issue on Foundational Skills (Guest Edited by Dr. Lupo)