Reading is Not a Natural Process (Sept 11)
Contrary to popular belief, learning to read is not a natural process. This episode focuses on why learning to read isn’t natural, and what it means for expectations at school and in the home.
IEPs Explained (Sept 18)
Individualized Education Plans and their meetings are something that many parents and educators dread. The focus of this episode is to provide an explanation of what they are, why they are needed and how to make ones that are useful for everyone.
The Consensus on Reading Instruction (Sept 25)
Reading is arguably the most studied topic in the field of education. When we look at the data collected over decades, there is an overall consensus on the essential elements needed for effective reading instruction.
Psych-Eds Explained (Oct 2)
Psycho-educational assessments are a type of psychological assessment that looks at the mental processes involved in learning. It is typically used to help us understand why a particular individual is struggling to learn. This episode focuses on what they are and how we can learn from them.
Views & Rope (Oct 9)
There are two views and one rope that provide great insight into reading development. This episode focuses on the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope and the Active View of Reading.
Using the Psych-Ed to Inform IEPs (Oct 16)
Psych-eds tell us about how individuals learn and IEPs are designed to inform how we can meet an individual student’s diverse learning needs. This episode focuses on how we can use one to inform the other.
The Simple View of Orthographic Mapping (Oct 23)
In this episode I will introduce The Simple View of Orthographic Mapping. I created this concept as a tool to simplify the complex process of orthographic mapping.
Creating Positive Parent Teacher Relationships (Oct 30)
Establishing positive parent/teacher relationships has been shown to improve a student’s academic outcomes, well-being and social interactions at school. It is even more important when we are talking about students with neuro diversities. This episode will focus on how to help create these positive relationships.
Constructs Related to Reading (Nov 6)
Reading is a complex activity that requires the seamless integration of several skills in order for text to be read and understood. When we are looking at instruction and intervention, it is helpful to be able to name these skills and find ways to measure them. This episode will discuss several of the major constructs related to reading development.
Executive Functions (Nov 13)
Executive Functions are brain based skills that play a significant role in everyday life and contribute to an individual's ability to learn and function in the real world. This episode will focus on what they are and how they influence learning.
Reading Instruction isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Model (Nov 20)
Learning to read is a complex process that involves helping the brain repurpose areas and develop a skill set it wasn’t already pre wired to develop. The focus of this episode is to discuss how to teach using differentiated instruction and move away from the One-Size-Fits-All approach to teaching reading.
Executive Functions & Instruction (Nov 27)
Executive functions are skills that develop during childhood and adolescence. This episode focuses on how executive functions impact an individual’s ability to learn and how we can use this information to inform instruction.
Screening, Progress Monitoring & Instruction (Dec 4)
The most effective way we can support our students’ learning is by meeting them where they are at and providing them with the instruction they need in order to reach their goal. This episode will focus on effective screening practices, when progress monitoring is warranted and how to use this information to inform your instruction.
Executive Functions & Behaviour (Dec 11)
Executive functions play a large role in our ability to control emotions and react to situations appropriately. It is helpful to consider how executive functions are contributing to problem behaviour if we are wanting to prevent the situation from happening in the future.
Decodable Texts (Dec 18)
Decodable or controlled texts play an important role in supporting reading development for beginning readers. This episode will focus on what they are, when to use them with developing readers and when it is time to move away from them.
Question & Answer (Dec 27)
This episode will wrap up the first season of the Garforth Education Podcast. In it I will be answering questions from our dedicated listeners.
Bonus Episodes.
October is what I consider to be Disability Awareness Month because there are several different neuro diversities that celebrate increased awareness. I hope to be able to release a few bonus episodes during the month of October to help celebrate awareness.