Can we stop calling it "The Fight Over Phonics" already?
🎙️Also: Everything about the NYT The Daily's "The Fight Over Phonics" podcast is outstanding. Except its title.
The science of what it takes neurologically to learn to read is complicated. However, science is only one part of the equation. The implementation is another. Sure, you can identify a problem, but what are the next steps toward solving said problem?
Humans teach humans within complex infrastructures and educational systems with set patterns — from funding and buying materials to training and implementing
When we call it a “fight” or “the reading wars,” it automatically imbues more conflict. Upkeep of complex systems offers enough conflict. Change in and of itself is enough conflict.
Whether you follow the discussions around “the science of reading” and “balanced literacy” closely already or not, this podcast is a succinct and thorough listen explaining many complexities regarding the ongoing situation today in America, across districts both affluent and not. Be advised: it can be grim. But awareness drives movement in the right direction.
Some key points of this podcast (aside from the terrible title) from my point of view:
MRIs and neurological understanding of how humans learn to read
Lucy Calkins
Word guessing/cueing and why it’s been proven ineffective
The immense and ongoing damage of putting profit over proven, evidence-based knowledge
The role of parents of children with dyslexia (Dyslexia is not niche. And being encouraged to do things like “take a picture walk” simply doesn’t work.)
Lucy Calkins DEFLECTING
The incredibly layered and emotional situation dedicated and hardworking teachers have been put in
The overall effect of where we currently are —> on ALL schoolchildren, dyslexic or not
If you listen to one podcast, let it be this.
Then, share it with your school committee, SEPAC, families of schoolchildren, families that plan on having children someday — everyone.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember how much talked about, incessantly debated, and drove awareness around the pros/cons of masking in schools during the pandemic yet how little there is about literacy. LITERACY!
Literacy is a fundamental right, not a “fight.”
Please listen.