While our focus right now is literacy, we know that how kids learn to read is inter-connected with how kids learn in general. This is often known as the science of learning, which refers to “the existing research from cognitive science related to how students learn” and the need to “connect this research to its practical implications for teaching and learning.”
Unfortunately, the strides made in cognitive science around how we learn (retrieval practice, elaboration, spacing, interleaving, dual coding, metacognition, etc.) never made it to the classroom, despite this 2007 report with recommendations for schools:
One of the first principal syntheses of these findings with clear recommendations for the classroom was a 2007 federal report, “ Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning.” The seven recommendations in the report represent, according to the U.S. Department of Education, the “most important concrete and applicable principles to emerge from research on learning and memory.”
Here’s the gist: established science about how the brain learns must be central in education and not peripheral.
In good news, the science of learning is gaining traction in many of our literacy communities, with Psychology Professor Daniel Willingham leading the way.
Giveaway Alert!
Speaking of Dan Willingham, he will be a key note speaker at the Science of Learning Conference in Toronto this year! We’re so excited that the WNY Education Alliance will be giving away 10 free tickets to this conference, taking place on May 3-4. We will also be hosting a dinner with a guest speaker on Friday May 3rd for those 10 attendees. If you are interested in getting a ticket, just fill out this form here.
The lineup of speakers for this conference is outstanding. Learn more about this event here.
Next WNY LIT: Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum at Iroquois!
Come join us at The Willow Room in Lockport for an insightful event where Mary Jo Dudek, EdD, Superintendent for Curriculum at Iroquois Central School District, will dive into how Iroquois CSD is embracing evidence-based reading instruction.
Dr. Dudek will talk about the importance of building teacher knowledge, challenges and successes, how Iroquois started, where they are now, and what they want for the future.
This in-person event is a great opportunity for administrators and teachers alike to learn from another district and network with other educators who want to learn more about evidence-based reading instruction and curriculum.
**We will also be giving away a few copies of "Read Alouds for All Learners: A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK–8" by Molly Ness!
Please note that this meeting will be on a Thursday, and not our usual Wednesday.
Register here or scan QR code in image below:
What We’re Listening To
The Triple R Teacher Podcast hosted by Anna Geiger of The Measured Mom, Episode 120: “Teaching Word Recognition with Dr. Katie Pace Miles”
The Measured Mom website also provides links to Dr. Katie Pace Miles’ presentations and research papers, including "Rethinking Sight Words," which was published in The Reading Teacher.
Fun fact: Amy is an upstate New Yorker and will be our WNY LIT speaker for the month of May!
The Progressively Incorrect Podcast with Zach Groshell: “What Was Project Follow Through?”
This episode is part of Zach’s series on direct instruction. If you want to learn more about the science of learning, this is a great podcast to follow.
That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading!
Tarja